Mascots
No game day is complete unless Tennessee's trio of mascots have fired up the crowd or led one of their favorite cheers. But Smokey, Junior Smokey, and Davy Crockett aren't just visible at athletic events, though you will see them cheering on the Big Orange at just about every event from football to golf and everything in between! They can also be found making a difference in the community and representing the University at hundreds of appearances around campus, Knoxville, and East Tennessee.
Smokey
Not only is Smokey everybody's favorite mascot in the state of Tennessee, but he's also one of the most famous mascots in the nation. Having won three national championships at the Universal Cheerleading Association College National Championship and been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, Smokey is one of the most recognized ambassadors representing Rocky Top around the state and the nation.
Junior Smokey
Smokey's little brother, Junior, is everything you want in a pup - and more! He's energetic, comical, a crowd pleaser, and maybe even a little clumsy at times. But more than anything, he's a Vol For Life and one of UT's biggest fans.
Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett, a native of East Tennessee, was a soldier and congressman from Greene County. Truly the embodiment of the Volunteer Spirit, Crockett led a 12-man group known as the "Tennessee Mounted Volunteers" during the Battle of the Alamo where he gave his life volunteering for freedom. His legacy lives on as "Davy" still leads volunteers today, proudly flying the Tri-Star flag as he runs Tennessee's teams onto the field and the famous Power-T flag throughout each game.
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Become a UT Mascot
Only enrolled students who are selected at an annual recruitment clinic are able to portray one of the mascot characters as part of the mascot team. Our team is selected each year at an annual recruitment clinic, which is open to enrolled UT students or incoming students already granted admission to the University. At the recruitment clinic, a team is selected based on evaluation of skills that are taught at the clinic, which include a field walk, prepared skit, and impromptu situations. Students who can best develop the character while being ambassadors for the University are chosen to be part of the team. A new team is selected each year, with returning team members also participating in the recruitment clinic.
In addition to the recruitment clinic where the team is selected, optional clinics are held in the spring and fall of each year that are open to high school and college students who want to learn more about our program, the basics of mascotting, and the specifics of each of our characters. No experience is required, and this is highly encouraged for anyone who would like to prepare for attending a future recruitment clinic.
More information regarding recruitment for the 2023-2024 season can be found here.
Scholarships
Because the mascots, specifically Smokey, attend nearly every home athletic event in addition to hundreds of community events and appearances, being on the mascot team is both prestigious and time consuming. Scholarships are awarded as a result to each member of the mascot team depending upon seniority and contribution to the program.
Smokey X
During halftime of a home football game versus Mississippi State in 1953, a contest was held to select the official mascot for the University of Tennessee. The contenders - all hound dogs of different breeds - were brought onto the field. The last dog announced was Brooks' Blue Smokey, who barked when his name was called. The students burst into applause, which only made Smokey howl louder, and the rest is history. Since that time, ten different Smokeys', all raised by the same Knoxville family, have carried on the tradition.
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Smokey
Not only is Smokey everybody's favorite mascot in the state of Tennessee, but he's also one of the most famous mascots in the nation. Having won three national championships at the Universal Cheerleading Association College National Championship and been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, Smokey is one of the most recognized ambassadors representing Rocky Top around the state and the nation.
Junior Smokey
Smokey's little brother, Junior, is everything you want in a pup - and more! He's energetic, comical, a crowd pleaser, and maybe even a little clumsy at times. But more than anything, he's a Vol For Life and one of UT's biggest fans.
Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett, a native of East Tennessee, was a soldier and congressman from Greene County. Truly the embodiment of the Volunteer Spirit, Crockett led a 12-man group known as the "Tennessee Mounted Volunteers" during the Battle of the Alamo where he gave his life volunteering for freedom. His legacy lives on as "Davy" still leads volunteers today, proudly flying the Tri-Star flag as he runs Tennessee's teams onto the field and the famous Power-T flag throughout each game.
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Become a UT Mascot
Only enrolled students who are selected at an annual recruitment clinic are able to portray one of the mascot characters as part of the mascot team. Our team is selected each year at an annual recruitment clinic, which is open to enrolled UT students or incoming students already granted admission to the University. At the recruitment clinic, a team is selected based on evaluation of skills that are taught at the clinic, which include a field walk, prepared skit, and impromptu situations. Students who can best develop the character while being ambassadors for the University are chosen to be part of the team. A new team is selected each year, with returning team members also participating in the recruitment clinic.
In addition to the recruitment clinic where the team is selected, optional clinics are held in the spring and fall of each year that are open to high school and college students who want to learn more about our program, the basics of mascotting, and the specifics of each of our characters. No experience is required, and this is highly encouraged for anyone who would like to prepare for attending a future recruitment clinic.
More information regarding recruitment for the 2023-2024 season can be found here.
Scholarships
Because the mascots, specifically Smokey, attend nearly every home athletic event in addition to hundreds of community events and appearances, being on the mascot team is both prestigious and time consuming. Scholarships are awarded as a result to each member of the mascot team depending upon seniority and contribution to the program.
Smokey X
During halftime of a home football game versus Mississippi State in 1953, a contest was held to select the official mascot for the University of Tennessee. The contenders - all hound dogs of different breeds - were brought onto the field. The last dog announced was Brooks' Blue Smokey, who barked when his name was called. The students burst into applause, which only made Smokey howl louder, and the rest is history. Since that time, ten different Smokeys', all raised by the same Knoxville family, have carried on the tradition.
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| Dog | Years | Record | Pct. |
| Blue Smokey | 1953-1954 | 10-10-1 | .500 |
| Smokey II | 1955-1963 | 58-39-5 | .593 |
| Smokey III | 1964-1977 | 105-39-5 | .722 |
| Smokey IV | 1978-1979 | 12-10-1 | .544 |
| Smokey V | 1980-1983 | 28-18-1 | .606 |
| Smokey VI | 1984-1991 | 67-23-6 | .729 |
| Smokey VII | 1992-1994 | 27-9 | .750 |
| Smokey VIII | 1995-2003 | 91-22 | .809 |
| Smokey IX | 2004-2012 | 62-53 | .539 |
| Smokey X | 2013-Present | 68-56 | .548 |
