WATCH: Mississippi State athletics introduces new Bully mascot, Dak
In the cutest college athletics news of the day, Mississippi State introduced the world to its latest live bulldog mascot, the 22nd “Bully.” And this furry fellow shares a name with another Mississippi State legend: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
While Dak might not amass the passing yards or accolades that Prescott did, he’s sure to be just as adored by Bulldog faithful. He begins his role officially in April.
“Whether he’s roaming the sideline at Davis Wade Stadium, soaking in the sights and sounds at the Dude or guarding the baseline at the Hump, Dak will be there as a symbolic figure for the university,” said the narrator in a video introducing Mississippi State’s favorite canine.
Hopefully Prescott and his four-legged namesake can get together at a Mississippi State game some day soon.
As the 22nd “Bully,” Dak follows a long lineage of Bulldog predecessors that have been revered on campus. While the previous iterations of the dog have resided in fraternities and roamed about campus, recently they’ve come under more supervised caretaking, according to the Mississippi State alumni site about “Bully.”
It notes that “today the official university mascot is housed at the College of Veterinary Medicine when not on duty at State home football games. For all their fierce appearance and reputation, today’s mascot bulldogs are good-natured, friendly animals and favorites with children.”
More ‘Bully’ history via the Mississippi State alumni association
- The first live bulldog mascot that Mississippi State had at a game was named Ptolemy, according to the alumni site. Head coach Major Ralph Sasse got him from Memphis in 1935 and the Bulldogs beat Alabama, 20-7, shortly thereafter.
- Another bulldog from the same litter as Ptolemy became the first live mascot named “Bully,” becoming Bully I. But Bully I met a tragic fate in 1939 and died after being struck by a campus bus. A funeral procession and days of mourning followed, with Bully I being buried beneath the stands at the football stadium. LIFE magazine covered it.
- Like many live mascots, various Bullys were kidnapped by rival fans over the years. According to the alumni site for Mississippi State, the last instance of a canine kidnapping was in 1974, prior to the Egg Bowl between Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Mississippi State, they note, won the game, 31-13.
- Each Bully is an English Bulldog and is registered with the American Kennel Club.