Sonny Seiler, owner of Uga mascot bloodline, passes away at age of 90
University of Georgia legend Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler passed away at the age of 90 on Monday in his hometown of Savannah after a short illness. Born February 20, 1933, Seiler is a 1956 (bachelor’s) and 1958 (law) graduate of the school, but is without a doubt best known as the owner of UGA’s live mascots, Uga.
The tradition, which will begin a new chapter this fall with the passing of the collar to ‘Boom’ earlier this year, dates back to 1956 when Seiler brought a bulldog given to him as a wedding present to Georgia’s first home football game of the season. Head coach Wally Butts asked Seiler if it would be okay that the dog became the official mascot of the team, and the rest is history.
Every official Uga, now on its 11th different dog, has since lived with the Seiler family in Savannah and made the trip to Athens (and around the country) for games.
Uga IV was invited to the 1982 Heisman Trophy ceremony alongside Georgia’s last winner, running back Herschel Walker. He accompanied Walker, wearing a custom-made black collar and tie. Then, in 1997, Uga V was pictured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and named the nation’s best college mascot.
This past spring, Uga X passed the collar on to Uga XI, better known as ‘Que’ and ‘Boom’ to Bulldog fans, in a ceremony that symbolized the retirement of one dog and the start of a promising career for another. ‘Que’ retires as the winningest Uga by total wins and percentage, seeing Georgia to a pair of National Championship victories.
In 2022, Uga X, and by extension all Uga’s, was inducted to the Mascot Hall of Fame. Uga was also named The Greatest Mascot in College Football History by Sports Illustrated in 2019, the 150th year of the sport.
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Seiler practiced law in Savannah and served as president of the State Bar of Georgia in 1973. He was featured in several books and movies before his retirement in 2017.
“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Seiler family on behalf of the entire Bulldog Nation,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Sonny’s contributions to the University of Georgia as a student and alumnus were innumerable, and his loyalty to his alma mater was unmatched. His legacy will live on forever in the history and traditions of this great institution.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sonny Seiler,” J. Reid. Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks added. “Mr. Seiler was a dear friend who I cherished and will miss very much. He was an iconic figure at the University of Georgia for the past almost 70 years. Because of his generosity, Uga is the most beloved and recognizable mascot in all of college athletics. We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for building a legacy that will continue for years to come. Please join me in lifting the Seiler family up in prayer during this difficult time.”
Seiler, whose wife Cecelia passed away in 2014, is survived by four children, Cecelia Swann Seiler and Charles Wilkins Seiler (Wendy) of Savannah, Bess Seiler Thompson (Shannon) of St. Simons Island, GA, and Sara Seiler Story (Todd) of Athens, GA. He leaves seven grandchildren: Margaret Story Bardwell (Greg), Sara Thompson McKinnon (Bryce), Anna Gibbons Story, David Tennyson Thompson, Seiler Burnette Thompson, William Gunn Story, and Cecil Wilson Seiler. He also leaves one great grandchild: Whit Bishop Bardwell.
