Uga Owner Sonny Seiler Passes Away at 90

The University of Georgia community lost a legend when Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler passed away in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia at the age of 90 on Monday. Seiler, who graduated from the university in 1956 with a bachelor's degree and again in 1958 with a law degree, became a beloved figure within the Georgia fanbase as the owner of the team's legendary line of Uga mascots.

According to the university's athletics website, the Uga tradition dates back to 1956 when Seiler brought the dog that would eventually be named Uga I to the team's opening game of the season dressed in a child's t-shirt with a felt block 'G' stitched to it. After taking the dog to the game, the Seiler's were asked to allow the dog to become the team's official live mascot, which they agreed to, beginning one of the more storied mascot traditions in all of college football.

The Uga collar was officially passed to 'Boom,' the latest in the long line of Uga's during Georgia's spring game on April 16. Like each of his 10 Uga predecessors, 'Boom' will reside with the Seiler family in their hometown of Savannah and will make the trip to Athens for each home game and also accompany the team as they travel around the country.

Under the care of the Seiler family, Uga has become one of the most recognizable and beloved mascots in all of American sports. In 1982, Uga IV became the first live mascot to be invited to and attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony where Georgia running back Herschel Walker was awarded the Heisman Trophy. Later, in 1997, Uga V famously graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and was named the nation's best mascot by the publication. UGA V further burnished his celebrity credentials later in 1997 when he made an appearance in the film "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" which was set in Savannah and featured John Cusack and Kevin Spacy in lead roles. The movie, which was loosely based on true events, also features Sonny Seiler as a character played by Jack Thompson. The actual Sonny Seiler also had a small role in the film playing Judge White.

In 2019, Sports Illustrated once again honored the Uga line by naming Uga The Greatest Mascot in College Football History to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the sport.