UConn's Beloved Mascot Emeritus Jonathan XIII Dies At 14

STORRS, CT — Jonathan XIII, the snowy white Siberian Husky who represented UConn as its official mascot for almost six years before going into retirement as mentor and best friend to his successor, died peacefully at home on Wednesday.

He would have been 15 in December.

Jonathan XIII was born in 2006 in Pennsylvania, and underwent socialization and obedience training before making his public debut at UConn during the March 9, 2008 men’s basketball game against Cincinnati. He had lived for many years near campus with his host family and Jonathan XIV, the current mascot and his constant companion.

"For thousands of our alumni and UConn supporters, Jonathan XIII was ‘their’ mascot over the years, and he remained a beloved presence on our campuses and in the community in recent years with his successor, Jonathan XIV," Interim UConn President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi said. "He was the epitome of ‘a good boy,’ and he’ll be greatly missed."

Each UConn canine mascot has been named Jonathan since the beginning in honor of Jonathan Trumbull, the last colonial governor and first state governor of Connecticut. The co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega has helped to care for the Jonathans since the 1970s.

See more on Jonathan XIII on the UConn Today website.

UConn released a tribute video: