Remembering Uga VI

Uga VI, the well-known University of Georgia mascot, died Friday night from heart failure in Savannah, according to his owner.

Cecelia Seiler confirmed Saturday that Uga VI, who comes from a long line of English Bulldogs that have served as mascots for UGA, had died but referred comments to her husband, Frank "Sonny" Seiler. Frank Seiler could not be reached for comment at his office Saturday afternoon.

Claude Felton, UGA spokesman and sports information director, said Uga VI suffered heart failure and died Friday night in Savannah.

Uga VI, who became UGA's mascot in 1999, was the son of Uga V, the only college mascot ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

The changing of the guard occurred in 1999 when Uga V officially retired during pregame ceremonies at the Georgia-South Carolina game and handed the mascot duties over to Uga VI, according to georgiadogs.com.

Uga VI, who was only one year old at the time of his coronation, was then the biggest of all the mascots weighing in at 65 pounds — more than 20 pounds heavier than his father — and like other Georgia bulldog mascots was a solid white English bulldog, the Web site says.

Burial for Uga VI is planned for Monday in Sanford Stadium at the University of Georgia, according to a Savannah Morning News report.