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Classic Bucky Badger, 1940-2002
The modern Bucky Badger logo was part of a group of "comic collegiate badger mascots" created by the Anson W. Thompson
Company of Los Angeles in 1940. The company was one of several that manufactured decals and other logowear for universities. The
Madison-based Brown's Book Store (no longer in business) was the first to order the pose. Other bookstores in the area ordered
other poses. The UW athletic department first used the logo on the cover of the 1948 Football Facts and Centennial Sports Review.
That image of Bucky was adopted and used by many local businesses in and around Madison. In 1988 the University of Wisconsin–Madison
formed a trademark licensing program to register the Bucky logo, which was opposed by local merchants. Ownership was decided in the case
University Book Store v. University of Wisconsin–Madison Board of Regents. The United States Patent and Trademark Office allowed the UW
to register the marks despite previous third-party use on the grounds that the public identified the Bucky Badger logo with the
University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Blind Bucky is sometimes used to represent the University of Wisconsin Law School as a variation of the allegorical figure of blindfolded Lady
Justice
Bucky Badger Today:
Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school
mascot for decades. The version currently knoclass9wn 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. Art Lentz, the department's publicity director, had the idea to bring the
mascot to life.
The original badger mascot was too vicious to control. On more than one occasion, the live badger escaped
handlers before a sideline hero recaptured the animal with a flying tackle. 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 live badger with a small raccoon named Regdab (badger backwards) and passed it off as a 'badger in a
raccoon coat.'
In 1949, a student in the university's art department, Connie Conrad, was commissioned to mold a paper-mache
badger head. Gymnast and cheerleader, Bill Sagal, of Plymouth, Wis., was directed by homecoming chair Bill
Sachse, 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 apparently 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 loveable cow. Koop argued
that 'kids love cows. A generation could grow up supporting the university and Henrietta Holstein.' Koop's
effort to overthrow Bucky failed.
Bucky even survived a cameo appearance by former Sports Illustrated writer Rick Telander. In preparation for
a book about the athletic department, Telander wore Bucky's costume at a '91 volleyball game. Telander
overcame 'terminal claustrophobia' in his appearance. |
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