As you may be aware the UConn husky logo was been redesign into a more fierce and slimmer husky. Today, UConn Athletics revealed the new uniforms that incorporate the redesigned logo (Can be seen here). Most of the uniforms remain relatively unchanged; it was basically unifying the different "C"/"UC" logos to the new husky logo, defining a font for UConn (I refuse to use UCONN), and adding red highlight (I like it, it's more patriotic). I personally think the volleyball uniforms improved the most of all of them. The worst change has to go to the new football helmets. I see what Nike is trying to do but the placement of the husky is awkward since the visor of the helmet is below the husky's eyes; it could have been better if just the area above the eyes were on the helmet like a continuation of the players head (could be). I guess one can only wish to have helmets (and uniforms) as cool as Oregon's...
Enough talk about the new logo and uniforms... Let's go into the history of Jonathan the Husky. My fellow UConn Huskies, you're most likely aware that the current husky is Jonathan XIII (13, for those who are Roman Numerally illiterate). The name, Jonathan, of course was named after the Jonathan Trumbull, the first governor of Connecticut. So what's the history of Jonathan the Husky? Well, the unfortunate stories of the huskies may rival those of the Chicago Cub's misfortune. Jonathan I (shown above) was hit by a car the day before UConn was going to announce that "Jonathan" was going to be the official name of the mascot. While very devastating, Jonathan wasn't the only one to be hit by a car; he was joined by Jonathan VI and Jonathan IX (or X, Alpha Phi Omega said there were two huskies name Jonathan VIII) with the same type of death while Jonathan III was dog-napped.
The tragedy doesn't end there though, as a protest to the Vietnam War and "The Establishment", the Student Senator voted to sell Jonathan VII (whom was a gift from the University of Alaska). But thankfully, a student protest prevented that and was turned over to Alpha Phi Omega (and served for over a decade). There were also huskies that didn't embrace large crowds, Jonathan V and Jonathan XII.
But not all the huskies faced mishaps. Jonathan II, Jonathan III, Jonathan IV both naturally opposed the opponents and even bullied the opposing teams (including their mascots). Jonathan VIII served the university for 14 years and was the first husky to serve as the official mascot of the school (unfortunately, he died of cancer).
Jonathan XIII is the only one I have met in person and he is any absolute delight. (Sadly, I don't have any pictures with him) But I remember like it was just yesterday when he escaped caretaker during the pre-game of a football game and when around Rentschler Field so freely; the entire stadium enjoyed watching Jonathan entertain. Jonathan XIII is also extremely patriotic; he's known for trying to sing along in the National Anthem. He's just the best husky a university could ever ask for!
To read more about the history and see many more cute photos of Jonathan, go here and here.