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| Washington Mascots are Quite Husky |
WASHINGTON: KING REDOUBT & HARRY HUSKY
The Alaskan Malamute, a dog noted for its ability to pull sleds across the
frozen tundra of northern North America, also is known for warming the
hearts of Washington fans by representing the university as its mascot.
Strangely enough this breed finished second place in the school’s
nickname race that now is the lead dog when it comes to mascots.
The tail-wagging tradition of incorporating dogs into Husky athletics
began in 1922 when Frosty I began barking for the school. Frosty’s
mascot career lasted until 1929 when he was replaced by Frosty II. Other
dogs in the mascot line have included Wasky, Wasky II, Ski, Denali,
Sundodger and King Redoubt is the eighth breed of this type to wag his
tail on behalf of the school’s athletic teams. When King Reboubt stepped
forward in the early 90s, he became the eighth Alaskan Malamute to
serve as the Husky mascot.
Husky mascots actually learned to walk on two legs in 1996. But before
you look for the segment on “Those Amazing Animals,” the walking
Husky is a person dressed in a Husky costume. The school’s furry friend
is known as Harry the Husky, who also helps to stir school spirit.
Before the Husky served its Washington master, a wooden statue that
carried two books under his right arm and a football under the other filled
the mascot role. The three-and-a-half foot figure named Sunny Boy
served prior to the 1920s when the university’s teams were still known
as the Sundodgers. The smiling statue was a sculptured replica of
Sunny, a grinning character who appeared in the university’s humor
magazine.
Sunny Boy now stands firm in the school’s Alumni Association building
despite a 23 year disappearance that ended with his 1948 discovery in
South Bend, Ind. The statue’s lengthy journey began when it was
abducted from its fraternity house residence and smuggled out of state.
Traditions, Mascots, Nicknames & More |