Tennessee's 'Smokey' makes national mascot championship semifinals

For Smokey, the University of Tennessee’s human costumed mascot, the winter break will be anything but a humdrum dog’s life.

Besides trying to build up Vol fan excitement at the Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec. 30, the mascot will be cheering on itself in the Division 1A College Mascot National Championship in Orlando, Florida, in January.

Smokey was the lead qualifier in the semifinal round of the Universal Cheerleaders Association competition last month via a two-minute highlight video.  It showcased qualities including character development, game situations, crowd involvement, cheer and band and dance incorporation, community service, and school activities.

'SANTA SMOKEY':'Santa Smokey' shirt steals the show on the sideline for Tennessee Vols vs. Arizona men's basketball

Five students and a mascot coach    

“The team’s countless hours of investment to be the best they could be for the fans they entertain was evident in our video entry,” said UT mascot coach Rodney Arnold.

The mascot — which is like a human stuffed animal and is designed to look like the school’s real bluetick hound dog mascot, Smokey X — edged fellow top 5 finishers Auburn (which won in 2021), Cincinnati, Minnesota and Colorado in the semifinals.

Since the video will count 50 percent of the final score, UT has a good chance to score well in the finals, which will consist of a 90-second live skit before the judges and audience at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports event.   

If it does win, the victory will be the mascot’s first national championship since 2008 and fourth overall.

While there, Smokey will also take part with the UT cheer and dance competitions also being staged during the Jan. 14-17 gathering.

Being Smokey takes work   

Although being a mascot sounds fun and glamorous, it involves a lot of work, officials say. There is no lying around and sleeping a good part of the day like their real canine counterparts.

Arnold said the five students serving as Smokey this year put in quite a bit of work not only staying in physical shape through workouts with a strength and conditioning coach, but also by appearing collectively in over 300 official events.

“How much time and effort the students put in” is amazing, he said.

And the students must be actors as well as athletes, as they are constantly practicing how Smokey is supposed to do everything from shake hands with a member of the public to portray its personality as a lovable and friendly hound dog showing sportsmanship.

Creative brainstorming before an appearance is also part of the work.

One of the five students serving as Smokey this year is Cade Botts from Scott County, who tried out after a friend had become involved. Now in his third year, he has found it to be a great extracurricular activity.

“It’s really fun stuff you’ll never get to experience anywhere else,” he said.

'You can change somebody's day'  

He said the enjoyment has included the thrill of running through the T before a football game at packed Neyland Stadium, as well as being in a quieter environment like a retirement home but still being able to make a positive impact by cheering someone up.

“You can change somebody’s day,” he said.

To be able to lift emotions of others, Smokey also focuses on lifting his physical condition, as mentioned. Botts, a former high school varsity runner, said he must stay in healthy shape because they are often on the move and inside a hot costume.

“No matter how bad you feel on the inside, you have to portray that Smokey,” said Botts.

They also get a little inspiration from the real Smokey X, who is with them at football games and sometimes other events.

“He lets us touch him. He’s a really sweet dog,” said Botts.

Added Arnold, “He’s been around the costumed Smokey since he was a puppy, so he’s not fazed.”