One of the most iconic mascots in the country, Hairy Dawg has quite the split personality--four to be exact. Head mascot Charles Purcell, Parker Moore, Colton Fowlkes and Billy McWhorter trade off performing the role of this jersey-clad bulldog to collectively make up one of the top ten mascots in the nation.
Tryouts for the part of Hairy Dawg require a formal application, a two-minute skit and an improv performance judged by a panel consisting of former mascots, cheerleading and dance coaches and the spirit coordinator. For their brief skits, participants base their performances around a solid theme, which allows them to show their individual creativity. Veterans Purcell’s and Moore’s skits blew away the audience, as they used their “signature moves” to win over the judges, according to Purcell.
Purcell, a senior from Augusta, Ga. majoring in management information systems, is beginning his third year as mascot. He has an affinity for using props and crowd surfing at games, while Moore looks forward to leading the band, as the Red Coat Band holds a special place in his heart, he said.
Growing up with stories detailing the glory of ol’ Georgia from his father, a former UGA football player, University senior Parker Moore has always wanted to be involved with the team. After shooting sideline photography for a couple of years, the New York City native majoring in communication studies decided to try out for the part of Hairy Dawg and is beginning his second year as mascot.
“What gives us the most joy is being able to give back to the community,” Moore said. “Whether it’s visiting nursing homes or children with special needs, the amount of enthusiasm on their faces makes this job definitely worth it.”
Though this will be his first season as Hairy Dawg, Colton Fowlkes, a sophomore from Cumming, Ga. majoring in genetics, is no novice on the field. Having served as his high school mascot for two years, Fowlkes was determined to pursue the mascot program at UGA. After Fowlkes was told by the spirit coordinators to keep prop usage to minimal during his skit, he was convinced he had sold the crowd following his performance, but then heard about the extravagant routines of Purcell and Moore.
“I knew there was no way I could make it after that, but then I did.” Fowlkes said.
Billy McWhorter, a sophomore from Lincolnton, Ga., may be undecided on a major at UGA, but he is wholeheartedly dedicated to his responsibilities as mascot. Currently serving as an alternate, McWhorter looks forward to his first year as Hairy Dawg and seeks to be full-time next season.
“I’m ready to step up and do whatever it takes to make the crowd happy,” McWhorter said. “It makes me feel grateful to be able to put a smile on people’s faces.”
Though it is a position based in spreading joy, slipping on the dawg head isn’t a job for the faint of heart. Aside from posing for countless snapshots with fans and maintaining crowd interest, Hairy Dawg battles temperatures that run roughly 35 degrees warmer inside his suit than those of outside surroundings. Despite this discomfort, these select students push through the blazing football games because of their devotion to the job.
“The mascot program is taken very seriously,” Purcell said. “I think a person has to be extremely committed to be Hairy Dawg as well as have the ability to not take yourself too seriously.
