Video: New Bully In MSU Dog House

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STARKVILLE, Miss.(WCBI)–On the campus of Mississippi State University, a son is taking over his father’s old job.

Its time for a new mascot. Bully #20, fondly known as Champ is expected to take to the field for the last time during Super Bulldog Weekend. New kid on the block, Jak is proudly stepping in to fill his dad’s shoes.

There is a new handsome face that will be greeting football fans on Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium for the kickoff of the Maroon and White Spring Football Game 2015. Champ is not as young as he use to be and at age 10 he is turning in his dog harness.

“In human years that’s 70 years old so he is getting ready for retirement. he is in great health. He is still doing wonderfully well. But its just time for him to retire and enjoy, you know the couch, recliner, or whatever he wants to do,” said Lisa Pritchard/MSU Mascot Handler.

Jak….get use to it, only 6 months old, Champ’s son is named for the legendary voice of the bulldogs who called football and basketball games for 58 years.

“His name is actually Cristil’s Golden Prince. Cristil of course for Jack Cristil. Golden which is in his father and Jak’s grandfather’s name. And Prince is from his mother’s name which was Princess Pippa,” said Lisa Pritchard.

The official passing of the harness ceremony is sure to bring a tear to the eyes of Bulldog fans….and of course Bully Handler since 1993, Lisa Pritchard.

“We take them to mid field or close to mid field and we actually take the harness off the retiring Bully, put it on the new Bully and the retiring bully automatically goes into retirement,” said Lisa Pritchard.

Jak is the one that will accompany MSU teams to all games, make public appearances at schools and nursing homes and more.

“Yeah Champ gets to sit down take it easy and Jak gets all the work now,” said Lisa Pritchard.

Jak has been in training; learning to sit and stay, and training for noise as he learns how to associate with people and their children.