Jonathan the Husky

Jonathan the Husky is the mascot of the University of Connecticut. All of UConn's huskies are named Jonathan in honor of Jonathan Trumbull, the last colonial and first state Governor of Connecticut. There are two versions of Jonathan: the costumed version and the canine version.

All but the first real husky mascot, a brown and white dog, had been solid white with one brown eye and one blue eye, until 2013 when UCONN officially changed their logo to a black and white Husky. The newest Jonathan is Jonathan XIV, a black and white male introduced January 29, 2014. Jonathan is one of the few university mascots in the nation to have been selected by students via a popular poll (in 1933).

The co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega has helped to care for the canine Jonathan since the 1970s.

Jonathan I (July 23, 1934 - February 1935) In 1934 Rhode Island's ram mascot was kidnapped and the story gained interest in bringing a live animal mascot to Connecticut State College. A student poll selected the husky, and January 1935 Connecticut State College's first husky mascot had arrived at the campus in Storrs. The Alumnus had announced a "Name the Mascot Contest" and "Jonathan" was the winning entry. Sadly, the day before the name was announced Jonathan I was struck by a vehicle in North Windam. Jonathan I was able to attend a few basketball games at Hawley Armory before his passing. He is buried by the Old Whitney granite step and a plaque commemorates his life.

Jonathan II (Unknown – 1947)

Jonathan II debuted November 8, 1935 at a pep rally prior to the annual football rivalry game against Rhode Island. Jonathan II was an Eskimo Husky, and cousin to the original Jonathan. Jonathan made his presence felt in September 1936. He scared Brown’s bear mascot severely, and chased the bear up a tree. Jonathan II made Brown’s bear so timid, it refused to leave the tree. The bear had to be rescued from the tree by Providence police and fire fighters.

Jonathan III (Unknown -1949)

Jonathan III made his debut November 8, 1947, against Rhode Island in football. Jonathan III is best known for chasing Yale’s bulldog mascot around the Yale Bowl. The only other information about Jonathan III is that he was dog-napped prior to a football game.

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