University of Tennessee Athletics
Smokey Wins Hall of Fame Awards, Places Second in National Semifinals
November 28, 2022 | Cheer, Dance & Mascots
Last week, Tennessee's beloved Smokey was recognized as one of the best mascots in the country, bringing home honors from the Mascot Hall of Fame and reaching the College Mascot national finals.
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The Mascot Hall of Fame announced the results of its annual awards where Smokey X won the Collegiate Best Live Mascot Program award over Texas A&M, Georgia, and Southern California. Costume Smokey took home the Collegiate Best Video Short and Greatest Community Impact awards ahead of Auburn, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Arizona State and many others. Costume Smokey also placed second behind Auburn in Collegiate Best In-Game Routine.
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"Our fans and community are the best in college athletics," UT Mascot Coach Rodney Arnold said. "The support we've received from the university, media, students and fans to get the word out and bring the votes in over the past month was incredible and made the difference."
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The College Mascot National Championship semifinals were also announced this week when Costume Smokey finished runner-up to Wisconsin's "Bucky" in the Division IA competition. A panel of judges scored mascots from across the country based on video entries of highlights from the past year which showcased the mascots' skills at games, in the community and on campus. With his second place finish in the semifinals, Smokey earned a trip to Orlando to compete for a national championship in January at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Only the top 10 mascots from the national semifinals get invited to Florida.Â
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"Our mascot program continues to build on a tradition of excellence that has been in place for many years," UT Spirit Coordinator Kelley Tafazzoli said. "Our mascots pride themselves on bringing the best fan experience wherever they go, and seeing that recognized on a national level is rewarding and well deserved."
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Costume Smokey is a three-time national champion (2001, 2002, 2008) and a two-time runner-up (2021, 2022) at the national competition. The costumed mascot was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2008 and is one of only eight college mascots to receive that honor.
Division IA College Mascot National Championship Semifinal Results
1. Wisconsin ("Bucky")
2. Tennessee ("Smokey")
3 (tie). Cincinnati ("Bearcat")
3 (tie). Auburn ("Aubie")
5. Minnesota ("Goldy")
6. Oklahoma ("Boomer")
7. Texas ("Hook 'Em")
8. Colorado ("Chip")
8. Penn State ("Nittany Lion")
10. Liberty ("Sparky")
11 (tie). Kentucky ("Wildcat")
11 (tie). Alabama ("Big Al")
13. Rutgers ("Sir Henry")
14. Iowa ("Hercules Hawk")
15. Kansas ("Baby Jay")
16. James Madison ("Duke Dog")
17. UAB ("Blaze")
18. Washington State ("Butch")
19. LSU ("Mike the Tiger")
20. Washington ("Harry the Husky")
21. Kentucky ("Scratch")
22. Temple ("Hooter T Owl")
23. Arkansas ("Pork Chop")
24. Southern Miss ("Seymour")
25. Louisiana Tech ("Champ")
26 (tie). South Florida ("Rocky")
26 (tie). Purdue ("Purdue Pete")
28. Bowling Green ("Frieda Falcon")
29. Texas State ("Book")
30. Bowling Green ("Freddie Falcon")
31. Appalachian State ("Yosef")
Players Mentioned
