Smokey is the official mascot of the University of Tennessee (UT). He has become an iconic symbol of the university and is loved by fans and students alike. Smokey is a Bluetick Coonhound, a breed known for its keen sense of smell and tracking abilities. The first Smokey was introduced in 1953 and since then, there have been several generations of Smokeys, each carrying on the tradition and representing the university. The tradition of having a live dog as the mascot started when a dog owner brought his pet to a game. The dog, named Brooks, barked throughout the game and was noticed by fans.
Smokey
The dog, named Brooks, barked throughout the game and was noticed by fans. This led to the university adopting a live dog as the official mascot. Smokey is known for his distinctive appearance with his orange and white checkerboard coat, representing the university's colors.
The True Stories behind the University of Tennessee's Beloved Mascot
- Author(s): Mattingly, Thomas J. and Earl C. Hudson
- Series:
- Imprint: Univ Tennessee Press
- Publication Date: 2012-10-19
- Status: Active
- Available in Hardcover - Cloth: Price $29.95 | Buy Now
- Available in PDF: Price $29.95 | Buy Now
The band blares “Rocky Top” and the crowd roars as the University of Tennessee football team storms out of the tunnel and onto the field through the giant “T,” their beloved mascot Smokey leading the way. The iconic Bluetick Coonhound has been part of the pageantry and tradition at the University of Tennessee since 1953, delighting fans both young and old.
For this entertaining and enlightening book, UT sports historian Thomas J. Mattingly has teamed up with longtime Smokey owner Earl C. Hudson to tell the stories of the nine hounds that have been top dog on campus for more than half a century. It was the Rev. Bill Brooks, Hudson’s brother-in-law, whose prize-winning dog “Brooks’ Blue Smokey,” became the first mascot by winning a student body-led contest at a home football game in 1953. The Coonhound breed was selected because it was native to the state, and several (no one remembers exactly how many) were brought onto the field at halftime to compete. But Smokey stole the show when he threw back his head and howled. The crowd cheered, and Smokey howled again. The raucous applause and barking built to a frenzy. The enthusiastic hound won the hearts of the Volunteer faithful that day, and he and the dogs that followed have remained among the University of Tennessee’s most popular symbols ever since.
The authors have interviewed Smokey’s former handlers, university archivists, sports journalists, and local historians as well as legions of longtime fans. Their recollections provide not only the background of the mascot but a history of UT athletics as well. Vol fans will enjoy reading about Smokey’s adventures throughout the years, from his kidnapping in 1955 by mischievous Kentucky students to his confrontation with the Baylor Bear at the 1957 Sugar Bowl to the time he suffered heat exhaustion at the 1991 UCLA game and was listed on the Vols’ injury report until his return later in the season.
Filled with photographs and memorabilia, including vintage game programs, football schedules, letters, cartoons, and more, this book brings to life the magic of UT football and the endearing canines that have become such an indispensable part of the experience.
THOMAS J. MATTINGLY is the author of Tennessee Football: The Peyton Manning Years, The University of Tennessee Football Vault: The Story of the Tennessee Volunteers, 1891-2006, The University of Tennessee All-Access Football Vault, and The University of Tennessee Trivia Book. He writes about Vol history on his Knoxville News Sentinel blog, “The Vol Historian.”
EARL C. HUDSON’s family have cared for the Smokeys since 1994.
Celebrating Smokey, College Football’s Top Dog, on National Dog Day
From the University of Tennessee, Smokey really is the top dog in college athletics. With a history that spans over 50 years and ten generations, Smokey has become one of college football’s most beloved mascots.
Currently, Smokey X leads Tennessee through the T during games in Neyland Stadium and has done so since 2013. But with all the history that surrounds the Tennessee athletics programs, their favorite Bluetick Coonhound dog has been with them through it all.
On National Dog Day, Aug. 26, we’ll take a look back at some of Smokey’s most memorable moments with Tennessee.
Photo by Trey Wallace/Rocky Top Insider
Smokey’s Tennessee Debut
Smokey’s introduction and selection as the Tennessee mascot was anything but ordinary. In 1953, the University of Tennessee held a contest to select the school’s mascot during the football season. However, Tennessee wasn’t just looking for any ordinary animal to represent their school. So, the official contest announcement stated, “This can’t be an ordinary hound. He must be a ‘Houn’ Dog’ in the best sense of the word.”
During halftime of the 1953 Mississippi State game, the contest was officially underway, and the contestants went to the field. Smokey was introduced to the crowd last. But, thanks to Smokey’s excitement and energy on the field, his reception was the loudest. The students, in particular, were yelling and screaming from the stands, which only made Smokey more excited.
The students and fans had made the voice heard, and Smokey was officially Tennessee’s mascot.
A Rough First Few Years
Photo Credit: Will Boling/RTITo say that Smokey had a rough first few years on the job may be an understatement. In 1955, just two years after being selected to be the mascot, Smokey was kidnapped by Kentucky students. Well, dognapped may be a more appropriate term.
To keep a long story short, a group of Kentucky students, impersonating Tennessee students, swindled Smokey’s owner into believing he was giving the dog to Tennessee for a routine photo shoot. Little did the owner know that the group of Wildcat students was really in the process of stealing Tennessee’s mascot.
Smokey did return home to Knoxville, but it wouldn’t be long before the next situation would appear. In 1957, Smokey II had a run-in with Baylor’s actual bear in the Sugar Bowl.
Smokey versus Alabama
Jump forward about 50 years to 2006, when Smokey IX was on the Tennessee sidelines before a game. During the Vols’ 2006 matchup against Alabama, one Tide player fell on Smokey during pre-game warm-ups. The story about what happened next, though, may be different depending on who you ask.
According to Alabama head coach Mike Shula, Tennessee’s mascot bit his receiver, Mike McCoy. However, Smokey’s owner at the time, Earl Hudson, saw the situation unfold differently.
“It was over his head, and he couldn’t catch it, but he came down right on top of Smokey,” Hudson explained, according to ESPN in 2006. “Now, what dog worth his salt wouldn’t defend himself?
Shula claimed after the game that Smokey bit his player and that he knew so because he saw the blood from the injury. But again, Hudson disagreed with Alabama’s coach.
“Smokey did not bite him,” Hudson said. “The article in the paper said he bit the player. He got a little of his uniform, didn’t break the skin I was told, but Alabama made a big deal out of it, I understand,” Hudson said.
In addition, Tennessee beat Alabama in that game, 16-13.
Smokey’s Famous Blanket Arrives
Photo by Rocky Top Insider.On Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, the weather that night in Knoxville was in the mid-’30s and dropping. But, of course, that isn’t anything out of the ordinary for a mid-November game in Knoxville. Especially considering how cold it can get in the later months of the year.
On that cold November night, Tennessee took on Kentucky on the gridiron, while Smokey took on the cold on the sideline. And just like any human when it gets cold, Smokey found himself a big, warm blanket.
The picture of Smokey wrapped up in the bright orange blanket made its way to social media quickly, making Smokey a nationwide star in a matter of moments. And luckily, through the power of social media, that picture of Smokey is still remembered and circulated in 2021.
Tennessee defeated Kentucky that night by a score of 50-16.
On National Dog Day in 2021, we take a look at the famously beloved mascot from Tennessee, Smokey the Bluetick Coonhound.
Tuesday Traditions: Smokey
This week in Tuesday Traditions, we take a look at Tennessee’s beloved mascot, Smokey.
Photo by Ben Moser
This week in Tuesday Traditions, we take a look at Tennessee’s beloved mascot, Smokey.
There are a ton of great mascots in college athletics. Some that stick out are Uga (Georgia), Sir Big Spur (South Carolina), Mike the Tiger (LSU) and definitely a certain Bluetick Coonhound that roams the sidelines of Neyland Stadium.
Find more of college football’s best live mascots here and here.
Smokey is affectionately loved by the Tennessee fan base and has been since 1953 when he was first selected as the UT mascot by the student body. The Coonhound can be found on Vols’ merchandise, photos and cars. Smokey even lends his name to the pets of Tennessee fans. It isn’t too farfetched to say Smokey is the most famous dog of his breed.
The pep club held a contest to find a Coonhound to be UT’s mascot. The requirements were pretty simple. It had to be a native breed of Tennessee and according to a quote on the UT’s web site, “This can’t be an ordinary hound. He must be a ‘Houn’ Dog’ in the best sense of the word.”
When news of this contest was announced in a local paper, Rev. Bill Brooks decided to enter his prize-winning Bluetick Coonhound named ‘Blue Smokey.’ The contest was held at halftime of the 1953 Tennessee vs. Mississippi State game.
Several dogs were led on to the cheerleaders’ ramps that were once on Shields-Watkins Field. Each dog had its name called and the student body was charged with cheering for their favorite.
Brooks’ ‘Blue Smokey’ was the last dog to hear his name called and when he did, he howled. Smokey’s yelp caused the students to cheer for him and he responded by throwing his head back and howling again. This continued until the whole stadium was cheering and as a result, Tennessee found its new mascot.
That was in 1953, and as the Vols play on in the 2015 season, Smokey X now calls the sidelines his home and still lets out that famous howl.
Smokey also leads the team onto the field, as they run through the ‘T’ made by The Pride of the Southland Band before each home football game.
But Smokey X isn’t the only Coonhound to grace Neyland Stadium. Every Smokey has had a special place in the hearts of Vols fans. When Smokey IX injured ligaments in both back legs, he got his own injury report daily in most local papers. He was even listed on the official injury report for the Tennessee football team.
costumed version of Smokey made his entrance into Tennessee traditions during the 1970’s and was redesigned to look more like the dog of today in 1982. He can be found at almost every Vols’ sporting event, rocking any number of costumes, from tuxedos to jerseys.
In the early 2000’s, the Vols introduced Jr. Smokey to the trio of Smokey (the live dog), Smokey (costumed version) and The Volunteer. Both costumed versions of Tennessee’s mascots have won national awards.
In 2015, Smokey Jr. was named Mascot of the Year on the World Dog Awards show.
And most importantly, Smokey will forever be a vital heartbeat among the Tennessee fan base.
He can often be seen at football games, running onto the field with the team and leading them onto the field before kickoff. Aside from representing the university at sporting events, Smokey also attends various events and functions, promoting school spirit and engaging with fans. He is often seen interacting with fans, posing for photos, and spreading positivity. Over the years, the role of Smokey has grown, and he has become a beloved figure within the university community. He is regarded as a symbol of pride, loyalty, and unity among students, alumni, and fans. Smokey also has his own dedicated team of caretakers who provide him with proper care, training, and ensure his well-being. These caretakers take great pride in their responsibility and work hard to ensure Smokey is ready to fulfill his duties. In conclusion, Smokey is more than just a mascot; he is a symbol of tradition, pride, and unity. His presence at events brings joy and excitement, and he represents the spirit of the University of Tennessee..
Reviews for "Behind the Mask: Getting to Know the Person Behind Smokey"
1. John - 1 star - I really did not enjoy the performance by Ut mascot Smokey. It seemed like a poorly executed act with no clear purpose. The costumed character did not engage with the audience and the choreography was lackluster. Overall, I found the performance to be highly disappointing and a waste of time.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for Ut mascot Smokey, but it just didn't live up to the hype. The character felt generic and lacked the charisma and energy I was hoping for. The skits performed were repetitive and did not capture the attention of the audience. In my opinion, there are much better mascots out there that can provide a more entertaining experience.
3. David - 1 star - Ut mascot Smokey was a complete letdown. The costume looked cheap and outdated, and the performer inside lacked enthusiasm or any real talent. The introduction of the mascot felt forced and there was no connection with the audience. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unimpressive experience. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this mediocre performance.