Georgia's rabid football fans love having the Bulldogs nickname, and some claim it may even have Ivy League roots. Other schools use the Bulldogs nickname, but UGA took a rather unique path to acquiring it.
Here is a look at the 10 things you need to know about the Bulldogs' beloved nickname:
Putting The "Bulldogs" In The Georgia Bulldogs
1. UGA has Ivy League roots, but not nickname: Abraham Baldwin (1754-1807) was the first president of the University of Georgia. Baldwin was a Yale graduate and borrowed many ideas from his alma mater. Yale may have used the Bulldog nickname, but Baldwin died long before Georgia became Bulldogs.
2. Just a thought: Over 90 years ago, Atlanta's dueling newspapers were instrumental in what would become Georgia's nickname. In 1920, Morgan Blake opined in the Atlanta Journal that Georgia should call itself the Bulldogs. He reasoned that actual bulldogs were dignified yet ferocious.
3. Name earned rather than chosen: Three days after Morgan Blake suggested the Bulldogs nickname, the University of Georgia battled Virginia to a 0-0 tie. Atlanta Constitution writer Cliff Wheatley used the Bulldogs nickname five times in his account of the game. It stuck.
4. This crazy, but Trilby maybe: Long after Baldwin's death and well before the newspapers, Georgia football had a temporary mascot named Trilby. In 1894, the solid white bulldog served as an honorary mascot at home games.
5. Popular nickname: While the origin of Georgia's nickname may be mysterious and unique, "the Bulldogs" is quite popular in NCAA football. Twelve other teams currently call themselves "Bulldogs" as well.
6. Why Bulldogs?: Actual bulldogs have a fascinating history. Their origins are inhumane, but their lasting reputation is inspiring. Bulldogs were bread as fighting dogs in England until 1835. They were known to be fearless and brutal. After dog fighting was banned, the breed became more domesticated.
7. How 'bout them Dawgs: A uniquely Southern twist on the Bulldogs nickname is the simpler use of "Dawgs." This is popular in north Georgia, and no one ever has to ask, "Which Dawgs?"
8. One and Only: While other colleges may have altered their nicknames over the years, the University of Georgia has held on to its nickname with the tenacity of, well, a bulldog.
9. Uga is a mascot, not a nickname: The Georgia Bulldogs have a line of Uga mascots dating back to 1956. From a fan perspective, one should never refer to the Georgia Bulldogs as the "Ugas".
10. No change in sight: The University of Georgia is proudly tied to the Bulldogs nickname. It has never suggested changing the nickname, and it is doubtful it ever will.
Christopher Beheler is a Georgia native and life long Bulldogs fan.
