University of Wisconsin–Madison
Photo of Baller Bucky

Baller Bucky

PhD, Athletics

Captain of Courtside Spirit

Photo of Baller Bucky

Biography

Bucky Badger is the spirited mascot of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His roots go back to 1889, when live badgers (and briefly a raccoon named Regdab) appeared at games.

The familiar strutting badger in a striped sweater was first drawn in 1940 by artist Art Evans for Brown’s Book Store. In 1949, Bucky came to life when student Carolyn Conrard designed a papier-mâché head, worn by cheerleader Bill Sagal at Homecoming. Since then, Bucky has become a symbol of Wisconsin pride, evolving through trademark battles and design updates—most recently in 2003—and earning a spot in the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006.