Buckingham U. Badger or "Bucky"

Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school mascot for decades. The version currently known as Bucky, sporting a cardinal and white letter sweater, was first drawn in 1940 by artist Art Evans. At that time, the badger went by names like Benny, Buddy, Bernie, Bobby and Bouncey. The original live badger mascot was too vicious to control. On more than one occasion it escaped handlers.

It was decided in the interest of fan and player safety that Wisconsin's mascot be retired to the Madison Zoo. The Badger Yearbook replaced the badger with a small raccoon named Regdab (badger spelled backwards) and passed it off as a 'badger in a raccoon coat.'

In 1949, a student was commissioned to mold a paper-mache badger head. Bill Sagal, of Plymouth, Wis., was directed to wear the outfit at the homecoming game. A contest was staged to name the popular mascot. The winner was Buckingham U. Badger, or Bucky. The name came from the lyrics in a song which encouraged the football team to 'buck right through that line.'

Bucky Badger has persevered through the years, even surviving a threat by then assistant attorney general, Howard Koop, in 1973. He suggested that Bucky be replaced by "Henrietta Holstein", a cow.