The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The Yellow Jacket, often portrayed as a buzzing insect, has been the official mascot of the university since 1905. The idea of using a Yellow Jacket as the mascot for Georgia Tech originated from a local sportswriter who noticed the fierce and aggressive style of play exhibited by the university's football team. Impressed by their tenacity on the field, he compared them to the swarming Yellow Jackets. The nickname caught on, and the university officially adopted it as their mascot. Over the years, the Yellow Jacket mascot has become an integral part of the university's identity.
Over the years, the Yellow Jacket mascot has become an integral part of the university's identity. The mascot can be seen at every Georgia Tech football game, buzzing around the field, cheering on the team, and rallying the crowd. The lively and energetic presence of the mascot adds to the overall atmosphere of excitement and school spirit during these events.
The Yellow Jacket: A brief illustrative history
There are a few important developments in a college’s adolescence: a name, a mission and the institution of some sports teams. Even though Tech had a football team, it lacked a unifying mascot. For years, players were referred to as “Blacksmiths” or one of the other many nicknames that came and went. Nothing stuck — not until 1905.
That’s when the nomer “Yellow Jackets” was first used: during a press conference given by then-coach John Heisman, which was covered by the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). The name was bestowed upon the players because of their yellow jerseys.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
A year later, the Jackets saw the first graphic production of their namesake; it was a cartoon in the AJC depicting a cartoon yellow jacket buzzing around a rather ugly University of Georgia football player, who cowers and begs not to be stung. The cartoon, signed by “Brewerton” is accompanied by a caption: “Somebody’s going to get stung.”
For decades thereafter, the mascot was drawn by various artists, cartoonists and illustrators, all with different interpretations.
Some depictions were more popular than others. Most featured an imagined creature that was half man and half insect. A few, according to Director of Living History, Marilyn Somers, were considered offensive because of their allusions to offensive blackface illustrations. The rest, luckily, were inoffensive and the offense intended was towards the Jackets’ rival.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
These illustrations are carefully preserved by the archives department of the Tech library.
Tech produced programs that would feature these illustrations of the yellow jacket. Despite different logos coming into fashion, there was no standardized cartoon of the character.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
In 1979, a student named Richie Bland ran onto the field dressed as a yellow jacket and soon after became the official mascot of Tech, alongside the Reck. This goofy character inspired the drawings that came after.
In 1984, one of those football programs — the Tech vs. Alabama game — featured the yellow jacket that Tech students know and love today.
This illustration was done by Mike Lester, who was a cartoonist for the AJC and eventually became known for his football programs. His piece grew to be the most popular depiction of the yellow jacket, used by the general media, fans and promotional materials from the Institution.
Lester drew about 130 football program covers for Tech’s Athletic Association, and his illustrations were so well-loved that he was presented with a plaque during halftime after 100 illustrations.
Lester, currently a syndicated cartoonist with the Washington Post, still considers this series of drawings one of his greatest accomplishments. He has been a Jackets fan since the start, when he was growing up in Atlanta.
“My dad worked at Capitol Automobile and took me to GT games on [Saturdays]. We walked to The Varsity and then to the game after he got off work. Bobby Dodd was my idol,” said Lester. “Georgia Tech has always been very good to me and my family — and I’m a UGA grad. Go Jackets.”
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
The yellow jacket, who became known as Buzz, faced a few bumps in the road. In 1998, Tech officials filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Salt Lake Buzz, the mascot for a minor league baseball team. After some back and forth, Tech won the legal battle — the team now goes by the Salt Lake Stingers. Tech students remain the only Jackets.
In 2002, Tech officially bought the copyright to Buzz from Lester. The image and name of the Yellow Jacket has remained safely guarded by the students of the Tech community.
“I think every time someone sees the caricature or the image … you look at it and it’s familiar,” Somers said. “It’s something you’re proud of. I think he’s for fun. He’s not to be taken seriously, not for one second.”
In addition to football games, the Yellow Jacket mascot also makes appearances at other sports events, pep rallies, and university functions. Its presence helps create a sense of unity and pride among students, alumni, and fans. The mascot is often seen engaging with the crowd, posing for photos, and interacting with young fans, creating lasting memories for those attending the events. The Yellow Jacket mascot has also undergone some changes over the years. In the early days, it was portrayed as a cartoon-like figure, often seen wearing a Georgia Tech football uniform. However, in recent years, the mascot has evolved to be more realistic and intimidating. The current Yellow Jacket mascot has a more fierce and athletic appearance, which embodies the competitive spirit of Georgia Tech athletics. Overall, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot is a beloved figure among the university community. It represents the determination, spirit, and pride that Georgia Tech embodies. The mascot brings excitement to sporting events and serves as a symbol of unity and school spirit. Through its buzzing presence, the Yellow Jacket mascot continues to inspire and energize the Georgia Tech community..
Reviews for "The Art of Being a Mascot: Inside Georgia Tech's Yellow Jacket Training Program"
1. David - 1/5 stars
As an avid sports fan, I have to say that the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot is one of the most underwhelming mascots out there. It lacks creativity and fails to represent the spirit and energy of the team. The yellow jacket costume itself looks outdated and unappealing, with awkward proportions and stiff movements. Overall, I was disappointed with this mascot and believe that it could definitely use a revamp to better engage and excite the audience.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
While I appreciate the effort put into creating a mascot for Georgia Tech, I personally find the Yellow Jackets mascot to be quite underwhelming. The costume lacks attention to detail, with poorly-designed wings and an uninspired face. Additionally, the mascot's movements during games seem stiff and awkward, failing to generate any real excitement or enthusiasm among the fans. Overall, I believe that the Yellow Jackets mascot could benefit from a redesign that captures the energy and personality of the team it represents.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars
As a longtime fan of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, I have watched their mascot perform during countless events and games. Unfortunately, the mascot leaves much to be desired. The costume design lacks creativity, looking more like a generic insect costume than a representation of the team's spirit and achievements. The mascot's movements are also quite robotic and stiff, failing to engage the crowd or create a memorable experience. Overall, I think the Yellow Jackets mascot could greatly benefit from a redesign that reflects the university's energy and athletic prowess.
4. Jessica - 3/5 stars
While I don't dislike the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot, I must admit it falls short of being truly captivating. The costume design lacks vibrancy and fails to make a strong impression on the audience. Although the movements are relatively fluid, they lack the energy and charisma expected from a successful mascot. I believe that with a few improvements in the overall design and performance, the Yellow Jackets mascot could become more endearing and successful in exciting and engaging the fans.