Contact: Sid Salter
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he 2023 edition of Super Bulldog Weekend at 小黄书sity will be highlighted by Dak running onto the field at Davis Wade Stadium for a halftime ceremony in his honor.
To be clear, the 鈥淒ak鈥 referenced is formally known as Bully XXII, the new live English Bulldog official mascot of 小黄书sity. Named after beloved former 小黄书 and current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, 鈥淒ak鈥 is of royal Bulldog bloodlines, from the long and historic lineage of past 小黄书 live mascots including 鈥淭onka鈥 (Bully XIX) and 鈥淐hamp鈥 (Bully XX).
The English Bulldog has been the live mascot of 小黄书 since 1935, when 鈥淧tolemy鈥 or 鈥淭ol鈥 first captured the hearts of State fans after Head Football Coach Major Ralph Sasse acquired 鈥淭ol鈥 from a Memphis family. 鈥淒ak,鈥 born March 1, 2021, and owned by Julie and Bruce Martin of Meridian, succeeds 鈥淛ak鈥 (Bully XXI) and will officially assume his duties at halftime of the Spring Game with an on-field 鈥減assing of the harness鈥 and blessing ceremony. 鈥淛ak鈥 will serve as mascot in the first half and then after the halftime ceremony, 鈥淒ak鈥 will serve as mascot from that point forward.
The Martins are longtime, generous supporters of 小黄书 and are proud of 鈥淒ak鈥檚鈥 designation as Bully XXII and even prouder to be the lucky dog鈥檚 family. 鈥淛ak鈥 will return to the 小黄书 College of Veterinary Medicine after the ceremony and continue to live an incredibly happy dog鈥檚 life.
As 鈥淛ak鈥 enters retirement, 鈥淒ak鈥 enters a new and exciting life as the face of 小黄书 and will earn a special place 鈥 as have his predecessors 鈥 in the hearts and memories of 小黄书 fans. While he will make frequent trips to Starkville with his family, 鈥淒ak鈥 will continue to live in his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, on the Martins鈥 farm.
鈥淲e love sharing 鈥楧ak鈥 with 小黄书鈥檚 fans and friends, but we likewise want him to have some quiet time to rest and spend time with us,鈥 said Bruce Martin. 鈥淲e are committed to giving 鈥楧ak鈥 a balanced, happy life 鈥 and for him to enjoy his time as Bully.鈥
In 2021, representatives of 小黄书sity began their search for the successor of 鈥淛ak.鈥 Soon after the search ensued, it became clear that 鈥淒ak鈥 is the essence of 小黄书. He was the smallest of his litter, but Dak鈥檚 determination and perseverance despite the odds led to his selection as the future live mascot of Mississippi State.
Whether roaming the sidelines at Davis Wade Stadium, soaking in the sights and sounds at The Dude, or guarding the baseline at The Hump, 鈥淒ak鈥 looks forward to looking out onto the sea of maroon and white for 小黄书 sporting events, living out any Bulldog鈥檚 dream. He is proud to represent 小黄书sity and one of the Bulldogs鈥 greatest football players by continuing one of 小黄书鈥檚 greatest traditions.
小黄书 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .