University of Connecticut - Symbols

Symbols

Written by Herbert France in the late 1940s, the lyrics to UConn Husky are as follows:

UConn Husky, symbol of might to the foe

Fight, fight Connecticut / It's victory, let's go (let's go!)

Connecticut UConn Husky,

Do it again for the white and blue

So go (fight!) – go (fight!) – go (fight!) – go!

Connecticut, Connecticut U (Spell it!)

C – O – N – N – E – C – T – I – C – U – T, Connecticut

Connecticut Husky, Connecticut Husky

C – O – N – N – U (Fight!)

(repeat)

Until 1933, the mascot of UConn had been the Aggies. This was because of the original agricultural nature of the University. In 1933, the University changed its name from Connecticut Agricultural College to Connecticut State College. To reflect this change, athletic teams were known as the Statesmen. In December 1934, the Husky was chosen as the mascot. All UConn huskies are named Jonathan in honor of Jonathan Trumbull, and all but the first, a brown and white husky, have been white with one brown eye and one blue eye. The current "real" Jonathan is Jonathan XIII; he is often seen greeting fans and eating dog biscuits at sporting events. Jonathan is one of the few university mascots in the nation to have been selected by students via a popular poll.

"Jonathan's" was the name of a fast food restaurant in the south end of the Student Union building until that section was closed for construction. A statue of Jonathan can also be found outside near the entrances to Gampel Pavilion and the natatorium. This statue, by artist Larry Waisele, was dedicated in 1995. Students are known to rub its nose for good luck, though it is also common to see students climbing on top of the statue to "ride" it.

The UConn fight song, officially titled UConn Husky but commonly called The Husky Fight Song, is one of the most recognizable in the country, due in large part to its frequent playing by the Pride of Connecticut during nationally televised sporting events.

A Macromedia audio presentation of UConn Husky is available on the UConn Alumni Association website. A full history of the song can be found on the UConn Advance website.

The colors of UConn are white and national flag blue, though small amounts of red often appear on athletic uniforms. The Pantone standard for the exact shade of blue used is #281.

The visual symbol of the university is the oak tree, which is also the state tree of Connecticut. This is because the Latin word for oak, robur, also refers to moral and physical strength, and because of the importance of the Charter Oak to the state's history. The oak leaf appears on the university symbol and next to the word UConn on official letterhead.