UConn has a new mascot-in-training and his name is Jonathan XV.
The puppy, UConn’s 15th canine mascot, arrived on campus earlier this month and will be learning from UConn’s beloved Jonathan XIV.
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Jonathan XV is a purebred Siberian Husky who was part of a six-puppy litter born in Ontario, Canada on April 19, and handlers picked him up on June 17 – National Mascot Day -- and brought him back to Connecticut, UConn said.
UConn said Jonathan XV made his public debut Wednesday morning and he’ll eventually attend university events as his training progresses.
Jonathan XIV, who was introduced as a puppy in early 2014, isn’t going anywhere, UConn assures.
He is going to be 10 years old in October and will become a mascot emeritus role.
And he's still be making appearances.
Jonathan XIV had surgery in January to remove his spleen and a non-cancerous mass that had grown on it, but fully recovered and was able to join the UConn men’s basketball team in March in Houston, where they won the NCAA national championship.
UConn said Huskies named Jonathan have represented UConn since 1935 and the name is in honor of Jonathan Trumbull, the last colonial governor and first state governor of Connecticut.
Alpha Phi Omega has helped to care for the Jonathans since the 1970s.
