money Happy birthday, Smokey! The University of Tennessee mascot is 68 years old.
The University of Tennessee’s favorite mascot is getting a little old, when you think about it. But Smokey looks as youthful as ever.
Smokey, a bluetick coonhound with an iconic checkered vest, became the college’s mascot 68 years ago.
Since 1953, there have actually been 10 different Smokey dogs, most of which came from the same bloodline as the original “Brooks’ Blue Smokey.” And then there's the huge Smokey mascot, too, who also shows up to Tennessee games and functions.
Here’s a look at some of the most memorable moments from Smokey’s time as mascot.
The original Smokey
The original Smokey mascot was nominated during halftime of a football game with Mississippi State. The UT Pep Club organized a contest to select a coonhound as the mascot, and Rev. W.C. “Bill” Brooks entered his prize-winning bluetick coonhound “Brooks’ Blue Smokey,” according to the University of Tennessee's history website.
When “Blue Smokey” was introduced, the hound howled. Students cheered, Smokey howled more, and eventually the entire stadium was cheering and howling, and UT had a mascot.
The time Smokey was kidnapped by University of Kentucky students
Smokey II was one of Smokey I’s sons and started as mascot in 1955. That year, he was kidnapped by University of Kentucky students posing as members of the UT Pep club, according to UT's website. He was safely returned a few days before the UT-Kentucky football game.
He's got a strange appetite
Smokey VIII attended the 1998 national championship win for the Vols, but not without a minor hiccup. Handlers notices Smokey was acting strange, and a vet determined that he had eaten a hotel washcloth.
Despite this, Smokey led the team out onto the field without a problem. The washcloth was removed after the championship game.
Defending his territory
Smokey IX served as mascot between 2003-2012. He defended his stadium well, drawing blood from an Alabama player during warmups in 2006, according to then-Alabama coach Mike Shula and the UT website.
New blood
Smokey X is UT Knoxville’s current mascot and made his debut in 2013. He is the first mascot from a new bloodline from Tennessee, and spends weekdays and the offseason with a family just north of Knoxville, according to his UT mascot profile.
In 2019, Smokey X attended Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's signing ceremony naming the bluetick coonhound the official dog breed of Tennessee.
To celebrate Smokey and his legacy, check out the 10 statues of the famous mascot around campus.
Smokey XI
Smokey X is set to retire as the iconic University of Tennessee mascot. And Smokey XI, another bluetick coonhound, will make his debut in fall of 2022 as the latest top dog on campus.
You can learn more about Smokey and the history of the University of Tennessee here.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What to know about University of Tennessee's mascot, Smokey
