Wisconsin’s Beloved Badger — A Campus Icon Since 1949
Madison, WI · Various Sports
★Mascot Hall of Fame — Class of 2006
| Team / Organization | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
|---|---|
| Location | Madison, WI |
| League / Division | NCAA (Big Ten) |
| First Debuted | November 1949 (costumed debut; illustration copyrighted October 2, 1940) |
| Species / Type | Badger (anthropomorphic; full name: Buckingham U. Badger) |
| Best Known For | Badger State pride; Camp Randall fifth-quarter celebrations; legendary Rose Bowl appearances |
| Year Inducted | 2006 |
Profile
Bucky Badger’s official copyright birthday is October 2, 1940, but he didn’t come alive until the 1949 Homecoming game when cheerleader Bill Sagal donned the first papier-mâché costume. There’s a fun footnote to his naming: the contest winner later admitted he stuffed the ballot box. Wisconsin fans have never held it against him.
Fun Facts
- In 1973, Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Howard Koop tried to replace Bucky with a cow named Henrietta Holstein, arguing ‘kids love cows.’ The state rallied firmly behind the badger, and Henrietta remains a historical footnote.
- The real Bucky mascot requires a team of roughly seven performers to meet all demand for appearances — from football games to community events to, occasionally, weddings.
- Before Bucky existed in costume form, the university’s early badger mascot was a real, live badger — until it bit a cheerleader and was cited for delaying a game in 1947. The costume version has been better behaved.
