College sports are filled with tradition, and mascots are a huge part of that. They can bring a program to life, and some just fit their school so well; not many fit their program better than Bucky.
College hockey is full of traditions, rivalries, and passionate fanbases, but every program also has its own personality. In this five-part series, we'll count down the five best mascots in college hockey, looking at their appearance, history, personality, and how well they fit the programs they represent. We begin at No. 5 with one of the most recognizable mascots in college sports: Bucky Badger.
Few college hockey mascots have a look quite like Bucky Badger.
The University of Wisconsin's longtime mascot has the perfect appearance for a hockey program. He's large, muscular, and permanently locked into a menacing glare, with his clenched fists making him look like he's ready to throw hands. Add in the iconic cardinal-and-white Wisconsin sweater, and Bucky immediately looks like he belongs at a hockey game.
There's also something about Bucky's expression that captures the attitude of Wisconsin hockey. He's not overly complicated. The oversized head, angry eyes, and features give him a personality before he even interacts with the crowd.
But Bucky's history goes much deeper than his appearance.
Wisconsin adopted the Badgers nickname in the late 1800s, inspired by the state's lead miners, who were compared to badgers because they lived in tunnels dug into hillsides. The school actually used a live badger as its mascot in its early years, but as you could guess, it wasn’t too smooth. The animal proved difficult to control, eventually leading Wisconsin toward a costumed mascot. And if you ask me, I think that’s the right choice.
The modern Bucky began taking shape in 1940, when artist Art Evans created the familiar cartoon version. A physical mascot followed soon after, eventually developing into the character Wisconsin fans know today.
That longevity is part of what makes Bucky special. He's been a symbol of Wisconsin athletics for generations, including throughout the history of one of college hockey's most successful programs.
The Badgers have won six men's NCAA championships, with titles in 1973, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1990, and 2006. They've also produced generations of NHL talent and built a reputation as one of the biggest programs in the sport.
So you can call Bucky their good luck charm.
He brings energy, tradition, and a little bit of chaos to the rink. He's tough-looking without taking himself too seriously, which makes him both intimidating and fun.
Most importantly, Bucky feels like a genuine part of Wisconsin hockey rather than a character simply placed on the sidelines.
