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Wisconsin Badgers
History
 Bucky Badger
Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school mascot for
decades. The version currently known 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.
Badger Nickname
The team's nickname, 'Badgers,' was borrowed from the state of
Wisconsin. The territory was dubbed the 'Badger State,' not because of
animals in the region, but rather an association with lead miners in the
1820s. Prospectors came to the state looking for minerals. Without
shelter in the winter, the miners had to 'live like badgers' in tunnels
burrowed into hillsides.
Bud Song
An integral part of any Wisconsin band performance is the playing of the
Bud song. The tune is a spinoff of the song 'You've Said It All,' a
jingle with words and music originally written by Steve Karmen for
Budweiser beer commercials. Copyrighted by Sandlee Publishing
Corporation in 1970, the song has become legendary at the University
because of its polka-like rhythm. Band director Michael Leckrone said
the song's popularity got started at a 1975 hockey game. 'The crowd
wanted to hear a polka,' he said. 'I didn't have any polkas. We had,
just by accident, this beer commercial in the tunes we play. I told the
band if we substituted the word ÔWisconsin' for ÔBudweiser' it would
work.'
Leckrone said the song became a football tradition after a 1978
come-from-behind victory over Oregon. "Wisconsin was behind by three
touchdowns, and the crowd was really dead. I played the song to get
everyone pepped up. About 20 seconds after that, Wisconsin scored a TD.
I played it again, and Wisconsin scored another touchdown. From then on,
the band could never play enough 'Bud,'" said Leckrone.
Colors
The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department's official colors are
Cardinal and White. PMS 200 is the designated color of the cardinal.
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