“óĻóAPP

Meet MSUā€™s newest mascot ā€˜Dakā€™ (Bully XXII) during SBW

Meet MSUā€™s newest mascot ā€˜Dakā€™ (Bully XXII) during SBW

Contact: Sid Salter

ā€œDakā€ (Bully XXII) pictured with owners by Julie and Bruce Martin of Meridian
ā€œDakā€ (Bully XXII) pictured with owners Julie and Bruce Martin of Meridian (Photo by Mike Mattina)

STARKVILLE, Miss.ā€”The 2023 edition of Super Bulldog Weekend at “óĻóAPP will be highlighted by Dak running onto the field at Davis Wade Stadium for a halftime ceremony in his honor.

To be clear, the ā€œDakā€ referenced is formally known as Bully XXII, the new live English Bulldog official mascot of “óĻóAPP. Named after beloved former MSU and current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, ā€œDakā€ is of royal Bulldog bloodlines, from the long and historic lineage of past MSU live mascots including ā€œTonkaā€ (Bully XIX) and ā€œChampā€ (Bully XX).

The English Bulldog has been the live mascot of MSU since 1935, when ā€œPtolemyā€ or ā€œTolā€ first captured the hearts of “óĻóAPP fans after Head Football Coach Major Ralph Sasse acquired ā€œTolā€ from a Memphis family. ā€œDak,ā€ born March 1, 2021, and owned by Julie and Bruce Martin of Meridian, succeeds ā€œJakā€ (Bully XXI) and will officially assume his duties at halftime of the Spring Game with an on-field ā€œpassing of the harnessā€ and blessing ceremony. ā€œJakā€ will serve as mascot in the first half and then after the halftime ceremony, ā€œDakā€ will serve as mascot from that point forward.

The Martins are longtime, generous supporters of MSU and are proud of ā€œDakā€™sā€ designation as Bully XXII and even prouder to be the lucky dogā€™s family. ā€œJakā€ will return to the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine after the ceremony and continue to live an incredibly happy dogā€™s life.

As ā€œJakā€ enters retirement, ā€œDakā€ enters a new and exciting life as the face of MSU and will earn a special place ā€“ as have his predecessors ā€“ in the hearts and memories of MSU fans. While he will make frequent trips to Starkville with his family, ā€œDakā€ will continue to live in his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, on the Martinsā€™ farm.

ā€œWe love sharing ā€˜Dakā€™ with MSUā€™s fans and friends, but we likewise want him to have some quiet time to rest and spend time with us,ā€ said Bruce Martin. ā€œWe are committed to giving ā€˜Dakā€™ a balanced, happy life ā€“ and for him to enjoy his time as Bully.ā€

In 2021, representatives of “óĻóAPP began their search for the successor of ā€œJak.ā€ Soon after the search ensued, it became clear that ā€œDakā€ is the essence of MSU. He was the smallest of his litter, but Dakā€™s determination and perseverance despite the odds led to his selection as the future live mascot of Mississippi “óĻóAPP.

Whether roaming the sidelines at Davis Wade Stadium, soaking in the sights and sounds at The Dude, or guarding the baseline at The Hump, ā€œDakā€ looks forward to looking out onto the sea of maroon and white for MSU sporting events, living out any Bulldogā€™s dream. He is proud to represent “óĻóAPP and one of the Bulldogsā€™ greatest football players by continuing one of MSUā€™s greatest traditions.

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