The Georgia Tech mascot creature, also known as "Buzz", is a prominent symbol of the university. Buzz is a lively yellow jacket and has been representing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets since 1980. With his charismatic personality and vibrant presence, Buzz has become an integral part of the school's culture. Buzz is a beloved figure among students, alumni, and fans alike. He is often seen cheering on the Yellow Jackets at athletic events and spreading school spirit throughout the campus. His energetic dance moves and spirited antics make him a crowd favorite.
The Georgia Institute of Technology was signed into law on October 13, 1885, and opened its doors to students in 1888. As the fledgling institute struggled to get its feet off the ground, students clamored for extracurricular activities. As they set up a baseball team, the sport of football soon started to grow on the minds of the students.
In 1891, as the rivalry between Tech and UGA in baseball had just started, around 200 Tech students attended the Auburn Georgia game obviously rooting for Auburn. One day, Dull looked outside his apartment window in a building which is now Towers Dorm to see a Ford Model A owned by Captain Ted Johnson-a Delta Airlines Pilot sitting in the parking lot.
His energetic dance moves and spirited antics make him a crowd favorite. As the Georgia Tech mascot, Buzz symbolizes the resilience and tenacity of the Yellow Jackets. Just like the determined insects he represents, Buzz embodies the hardworking and industrious nature of Georgia Tech students.
Tag Archives: mascots
The first topic we’ll discuss at here at GT History is the multiple mascots the Institute has had in its history as well as Tech’s nicknames (i.e. Buzz, the Ramblin’ Wreck, the Golden Tornadoes, the Blacksmiths, the Techs, and the Engineers) and how the colors came to be.
The Colors:
The Georgia Institute of Technology was signed into law on October 13, 1885, and opened its doors to students in 1888. As the fledgling institute struggled to get its feet off the ground, students clamored for extracurricular activities. As they set up a baseball team, the sport of football soon started to grow on the minds of the students.
In 1891, as the rivalry between Tech and UGA in baseball had just started, around 200 Tech students attended the Auburn/Georgia game (obviously rooting for Auburn). Before the game, a committee was formed to decide what colors to wear to the game. They decided upon old gold and white (Tangent: old gold had been one of Georgia’s official colors, but Dr. Charles H. Herty said the color reminded him of yellow which symbolizes cowardice and the university then dropped the color) as a slap in the face to their cross-state rival. This was the start of the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate between the two schools.
Two years later, Tech played their first football game against UGA. In the game, women from the Lucy Cobb Institute for Girls (located in Athens and now a part of the UGA campus) acted as cheerleaders for GT, wearing white and gold-the now official colors of the Institute.
The Nicknames:
The Georgia Tech football team was first referred to as the Tech’s from 1893 until 1910. In 1902, newspapers started calling the team “Blacksmiths” because of the large amount of metal work that was being completed in the Institute’s Mechanical and Manufacturing departments. Starting in 1905, the Atlanta Constitution referred to the team as the “Yellowjackets” (one word) because of the yellow jackets the team’s supporters wore to the games. Some writers still refer to Tech teams as the “Engineers” because of Tech’s Engineering background. However, today’s nickname, and the most pervasive throughout Tech’s history, is the “Yellow Jackets”.
The Mascots:
Buzz and the Ramblin Wreck are the current Georgia Tech mascots. Buzz (seen below) first appeared in 1972 and was reinvented in 1979.
Yellow Jacket Design Through The Years
In 1972, Judi McNair donned a homemade yellow jacket costume and performed at all home games as well as rode on the Ramblin Wreck. In 1979, after McNair graduated, Richie Bland, unaware of McNair’s attempt as Buzz, paid $1,400 for a costume from a theme park costume designer and wore the suit to a football game versus Tennessee without permission from the Institute. In 1980, the character was named Buzz Bee (shortened to Buzz since yellow jackets are not bees) and adopted by the Institute.
The Modern Buzz
The term “Ramblin’ Wreck” refers to the students of the Institute. It has been in use ever since the 1890s when Tech students created makeshift vehicles for use in the jungles of South America (these vehicles were created from whatever the students could find and would keep the engines running). Workers that saw the machines referred to them as the “Rambling Wrecks from Georgia Tech”.
The Early Wreck
The first traces of the modern “Ramblin’ Wreck” go back to Dean Floyd Field. The Dean drove a Ford Model T to and from class from 1916 to 1928. The car fascinated all who saw it because of a large black box attached to the back (the contents of which were never revealed to the students).
In 1960, Dean Jim Dull realized that Tech students were fascinated with classic cars and decided an official “Ramblin’ Wreck” was needed. He employed newspaper adds, radio commercials, and other media to find the perfect pre-war Ford to represent the Institute. One day, Dull looked outside his apartment window (in a building which is now Towers Dorm) to see a Ford Model A (owned by Captain Ted Johnson-a Delta Airlines Pilot) sitting in the parking lot. Johnson and his son had spent two years and $1,800 to refurbish the car (which they found in a junkyard). When Johnson returned to his car after visiting Tech, he found a note on his windshield from Dull, who asked to buy the car to serve as Tech’s mascot. Johnson agreed to donate it to the Institute (eventually returning the $1,000 Dull originally paid him) and the Athletic Association gained ownership in 1961.
The Ramblin’ Wreck was unveiled at the Georgia Tech v. Rice University game on September 30, 1961 (where Tech won 24-0). It now leads the team onto Grant Field at every home game.
The Modern Ramblin' Wreck
The Colors:
He serves as a reminder of the university's commitment to excellence in academics, athletics, and research. In addition to his role as a mascot, Buzz also has a strong presence in the community. He participates in various charitable events, school visits, and community outreach programs. Buzz's involvement in these initiatives further enhances the positive image of Georgia Tech and fosters a sense of community and connection. Overall, the Georgia Tech mascot creature, Buzz, is a cherished symbol of the university's spirit and values. His lively personality, dedication to school pride, and commitment to serving the community make him an integral part of the Georgia Tech experience. Whether on the sidelines of a football game or engaging with the community, Buzz continues to inspire and unite Yellow Jackets past, present, and future..
Reviews for "Buzz's Adventures: The Life of a Mascot at Georgia Tech"
1. John - 1 star - The Georgia Tech mascot creature is simply horrendous. It's hard to believe that someone actually approved this design. The creature looks like a mix between a robot and a bug, with its strange metallic shell and antennas sticking out from its head. It is not even remotely close to being cute or endearing. Instead, it gives off an eerie and creepy vibe. I would highly recommend the university to reconsider their choice of mascot and opt for something more appealing and representative of their school spirit.
2. Emily - 2 stars - I really wanted to like the Georgia Tech mascot creature, but I just couldn't find any redeeming qualities about it. It looks like a failed experiment of merging various animal traits, resulting in a bizarre and unattractive creature. The color scheme is also unappealing, with a mix of yellow, black, and silver that clashes and adds to the overall chaotic design. It's quite disappointing when compared to other university mascots that are often lovable and inspiring. Georgia Tech should definitely consider investing in a new mascot design that can better represent their spirit and bring more excitement to their events.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars - The Georgia Tech mascot creature is a confusing mess. It's hard to tell what it's supposed to be, as it lacks any clear defining features. The design feels unoriginal and lacks creativity. Furthermore, it seems impractical for a mascot to have antennas and a metallic shell. Those features make it difficult for it to engage with the crowd during games and events. Overall, the mascot leaves much to be desired, and I believe Georgia Tech can come up with something much better that truly embodies their school's spirit and values.
4. Sarah - 1 star - I find the Georgia Tech mascot creature completely unappealing and off-putting. Its design is a jumble of random elements that fail to come together in a cohesive way. It looks more like a science experiment gone wrong than a mascot that symbolizes school pride and spirit. Its unsettling metallic exterior and unnatural features make it difficult to connect with, and it definitely doesn't evoke any positive emotions in me. I hope Georgia Tech takes the feedback into consideration and invests in a new mascot design that can truly rally the students and fans.