Path: Traditions /
Jack the Bulldog
Though the nickname for its sports teams (and students in general) is "the Hoyas," Georgetown University adopted the English bulldog as its mascot in 1962. A group of students had lobbied for the move, arguing that Georgetown athletes were, like bulldogs, "tenacious." A student committee purchased a two-yr old bulldog which they had hoped to name "Hoya." However, the dog stubbornly refused (as bulldogs do) to respond to anything but his given name, "Jack." The dog won, and students began to call him "Jack" -- beginning a tradition that continues today.
Over time, the tradition of a permanent, on-campus mascot was replaced by a student in a bulldog suit. However, seniors in the class of 1999 began a "Bring Jack Back" campaign and succeeded in welcoming a new Jack to campus in March of 1999. Unfortunately, this Jack (now "the elder") had to retire in 2003 when his caretaker, Hoya alum Scott Pilarz S.J., became president of the University of Scranton.
Our present Jack was born on May 3, 2003. He arrived at Georgetown on July 19th of that same year. While not related to his immediate predecessor, Jack is from the same line as "Rocky," GU's mascot during Patrick Ewing's time on the hilltop.
One of the most recognized figures on campus, Jack the Bulldog spends his time celebrating life on the Hilltop and cheering for Hoya sports. When not occupied with his mascot duties, Jack passes his days resting in the lobby of the Jesuit Residence and the evenings at his apartment in New South (which he shares with Fr. Steck, S.J., Associate Professor in the Department of Theology).
