RIP Damn Good Dawg June 28, 2008

Uga VI (”Uga V’s Whatchagot Loran”) 1999-2008

 

So I’m sitting here at Duke Medical Center waiting to meet with another doctor. Luckily they have free wi-fi so I was was taking advantage of the time to read up on all my daily Georgia news. I have a list of blogs and news sites that I check daily. Religiously.

Anyways, I clicked on the ajc first (I don’t know why I do this since they are always last on breaking UGA news) and then I looked at Rivals for a sec, then onto Scout. That’s where I saw it - Uga VI has passed away, just shy of his 10th birthday. Josh Kendall, who writes for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, posted the story on Scout as well this morning.

For those of you non-Dawg fan readers that visit my blog, you are sorely mistaken if you think this isn’t big news. It is very big, just ask Sports Illustrated, ESPN, the prestigious Downtown Athletic Club in NY, or even Clint Eastwood. Any and all Uga’s past, present, or future will always be big news - and not just to those of us who live and breathe all things Dawg.

I’ll be honest, the story stunned me for a moment. Its been a tough week already. Whether you’re a diehard Diamond Dawg fan like myself or not, every Bulldawg fan was heartsick over the miracle run to the College World Series that ended without the grand trophy. And Bulldawg Nation is none too pleased with Billy Humphrey’s recent visit to the pokey and consequently his well-deserved expulsion from the team. So seeing the headline that The Legendary Uga VI had passed was just more sad news on top of bad news.

Its sort of fitting when you think about it though. Of the six Uga’s, none have been more successful and more lauded than Uga VI. He was a winner in every sense of the word, owning more victories (87-27) than any other Uga, including the National Championship holders Uga I and Uga III. He has 2 SEC Championships, 3 BCS berths w/ 2 wins in the Sugar Bowl (2003 & 2008), and more wins over top 20 ranked opponents than any other Uga in history. Georgia athletics has 35 National Championships in a variety of sports. Nieteen of those came under Uga Vi’s tenure. How ’bout that Dawg! So, after his years of service to the fans who loved him and the great state of Georgia, it is no surprise that he’d choose to leave now. His passing just reminds us that despite a tough loss in the CWS, our title as the most succesful Athletic Department in all of Div 1 college sports this year is just the beginning of great things to come.

 

 

As much as he was a gentle giant and loved the attention from children & adults alike, he was a badass, make no mistake. Mr. Seiler once said he was affectionately called “The 4-Legged Beast.” Two seasons ago after I’d moved back to the states Dad, Rob & I had a picture taken with Uga before the South Carolina game. Now I’ve been around Uga’s all my life, but this one nearly scared the hell out of me! He was a monstrous 65 lbs and was especially ornery that morning. Bulldawg fan or not, I knew I’d draw back a nub if I got too close!

I could spend all day talking about Uga’s importance to The University of Georgia, his fixture in college football, his notorius status as the best college mascot, and his foray onto Hollywood’s big screen. But, beyond who he was to his fans and the public, he was one of many beloved family pets to the gracious Seiler family of Savannah, Georgia. It is astounding to think about all that family has sacrificed over the years (personally, professionally, physically, and monetarily) for Georgia. With a heavy heart and a spirit of sympathy: thank you to the Seiler family for giving us Uga. He was indeed a Damn Good Dawg.

 

 

I’d forgotten that Uga VI was named after Larry Munson’s partner in crime, Loran Smith. In typical Loran fashion, he wrote eloquently today about his namesake in the best tribute I’ve read.

All of Bulldawg Nation can’t wait to meet UgaVII this season and see how he extends the family legacy and winning traditions of Georgia. And, just my two cents Seiler family, but I really hope Uga VII is named for Larry Munson. Next to Uga, there’s not a better DGD.

 

Go Dawgs!