NCAA's Top Real Animal Mascots

NCAA's Top Real Animal Mascots

Diesel

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Northern Illinois' furry mascot "Diesel" gained recognition for his high fives this fall, but 2013 will be his final year on the job. The school announced Tuesday (Nov. 26) that the husky dog will retire at the end of the season after nine years as the Huskies' mascot. Diesel and his owner, Tom Bonnevier, will be honored at NIU's Senior Day celebrations Tuesday night at Huskie Stadium before the Huskies take on Western Michigan. In honor of Diesel, SI.com presents a collection of the NCAA's top real animal mascots.

Uga

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Mike the Tiger

Steve Franz/Louisiana State University/Collegiate Images/Getty Images; Simon Bruty/SI

Bevo

Greg Nelson/SI

Ralphie

David Zalubowski/AP

War Eagle

Smokey

John Sommers II/Getty Images

Rameses

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Sir Big Spur

Jeremy Brevard/Icon SMI

Boomer and Sooner

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Butler Blue

John Biever/SI

Tusk

John Korduner/Icon SMI

The Falcon

Ross D. Franklin/AP

Reveille VIII

Patric Schneider/Icon SMI

Cam The Ram

J. Neil Prather/Icon SMI

Lady

AP

Bully

Michael Chang/Getty Images

Bill the Goat

Jacqueline Larma/AP

Traveler

Kevin Terrell/Icon SMI

Peruna

John F. Rhodes/AP

Ranger and Stryker

Matt Rourke/AP

Dubs

Elaine Thompson/AP

Handsome Dan

Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI