Mississippi State University - Reveille Yearbook (Starkville, MS)

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If Champ, known as Bully XIV, has proudly represented MSU since 1976. By being escorted to every game by members of the Pre-Vet Club, Champ is ensured against dognapping by rival schools. ' B : - ' : M. Copobianco The mascot Bully, Jay Wilson, amuses and peps up the crowd up with his numerous antics such as goalpost climbing and his Super Dog act. Features 17

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November 30, 1905. Mississippi A M 11, Ole Miss 0. To show sympathy for the losers, the winning students held a military funeral complete with a decorated coffin and a bulldog pup on top. That year the bulldog was adopted as the school ' s mascot, but there was no permanent mascot until 1935 when the football team refused to play Alabama until they had a bulldog. That dog, Ptolemy, sparked the team ' s spirit so that they upset the Red Elephants and ended a twenty year losing streak with Bama. After Tol ' s death the following year, his brother was bought to take over. Nicknamed Bully, he roamed freely around campus and quickly became a favorite. After his un- timely death on Nov. 19, 1939, Bully I was buried under the player ' s bench on the 50 yard line. Bully II, similar to his predecessor, had the run of the campus and was hailed as the perfect mascot. He exemplified the campus spirit as he chased an Ole Miss fan mimicking a State student during a halftime and antagonized the LSU mascot. However, he was killed by a bus. Bully III, although publicized by the Reflector, had a relatively unknown history. Not many details are known about this dog and his energetic sue- BULLY Through the years . cessor, Bully IV, who also had a brief record of history. For at least a year, MSU was Bullyless until in 1945 David L. Cline donated a new mascot. Although Bully V lived for a period with David Cline in university housing, in November, 1946, Bully V moved into his new doghouse built by W. W. Rogers. Bully V supposedly had little exercise which resulted in his death. Having learned a lesson, MSU freshmen started to walk the two new dogs, Bully VI A and B for exercise. These mascots were the victims of the first mascot ab- duction by the upstanding University of Mississippi. These Bullys were replaced by Mr. Muggs, a student ' s pet. After Bully VI died from cancer in 1956, the most renowned mascot came to MSU, Bully VIII. Bully VIII lived through two Ole Miss dognappings and negligent care to be buried unnoticed by the band hall. The next dog was pur- chased by the Lambda Chi ' s and nam- ed Joker. This purchase prompted the next four dogs to be the responsibility of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. When the fraternity moved on campus, the responsibility of Bully XIII A and B fell on the Pre-Vet Club where it rests today. Trying to prevent a lapse in hav- ing a mascot, the Pre-Vet club is now raising a new Bully. The puppy, born on July 10, 1982, will not replace Bully XIII B (Champ) but will simply be ready to step in when Champ decides to retire. And so the tradition of Bully lives on . . . A. Bergstrom and J. Huntington 16 Student Life

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-» f- t .■ mfM The pep rally is over and the pregar festivities are at their end. A full week of plans is now in exec tion and every moment counts. The d started early and you ' ve been bu since your feet hit the floor. Mom and Dad have been greeted ai sent on their way to the gradual stands. Your date is at your side, your f rien surround you, that last minute dash U%