University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Ian Cox/Tennessee Athletics
Smokey Nominated for National Awards
October 21, 2022 | Cheer, Dance & Mascots
Smokey is a fan favorite on Rocky Top, and with fans' help, he can be the top dog in the nation.
Mascot Smokey and Smokey X each were nominated for several national awards by the Mascot Hall of Fame. After receiving entries from mascots around the country earlier this month, a nominating committee chose the finalists, and online voting by fans will determine the winners.
Mascot Smokey's entry for the Community Impact category highlights his numerous visits to nursing homes around East Tennessee this past year. For best in-game routine, Smokey shows off his dancing and tumbling skills during the football game against Florida. And for best video short, Smokey submitted his viral TikTok video chasing a gator out of Neyland Stadium.
Smokey X was nominated highlighting his final season at the helm before Smokey IXÂ takes over next fall.Â
"We are honored to represent the university and all of Big Orange Country as the rest of the nation learns more about Smokey," UT mascot coach Rodney Arnold said. "I'm proud of the hard work our students put in behind the scenes to get recognized and happy for all of our alumni who made Smokey the icon he is today."
Smokey was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2008 and is one of only eight college mascots to have earned this honor. Mascot Smokey is one of the most successful in the nation, having won three National Championships and secured two runner-up finishes at the annual UCA College Mascot National Championships.
Mascot Smokey and Smokey X each were nominated for several national awards by the Mascot Hall of Fame. After receiving entries from mascots around the country earlier this month, a nominating committee chose the finalists, and online voting by fans will determine the winners.
Mascot Smokey was nominated for College Greatest Community Impact, College Best In-Game Routine and College Best Video Short.Â
Smokey X has been nominated for Best College Live Mascot. Other nominees include Butler Blue IV (Butler University), Handsome Dan XIX (Yale University), Reveille IX (Texas A&M University), Traveler (University of Southern California), Uga X (University of Georgia).
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Smokey X has been nominated for Best College Live Mascot. Other nominees include Butler Blue IV (Butler University), Handsome Dan XIX (Yale University), Reveille IX (Texas A&M University), Traveler (University of Southern California), Uga X (University of Georgia).
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Fans may vote once daily until voting closes on Saturday, Nov. 12. Fans can cast their votes for both Smokeys HERE.
Mascot Smokey's entry for the Community Impact category highlights his numerous visits to nursing homes around East Tennessee this past year. For best in-game routine, Smokey shows off his dancing and tumbling skills during the football game against Florida. And for best video short, Smokey submitted his viral TikTok video chasing a gator out of Neyland Stadium.
Smokey X was nominated highlighting his final season at the helm before Smokey IXÂ takes over next fall.Â
"We are honored to represent the university and all of Big Orange Country as the rest of the nation learns more about Smokey," UT mascot coach Rodney Arnold said. "I'm proud of the hard work our students put in behind the scenes to get recognized and happy for all of our alumni who made Smokey the icon he is today."
Smokey was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2008 and is one of only eight college mascots to have earned this honor. Mascot Smokey is one of the most successful in the nation, having won three National Championships and secured two runner-up finishes at the annual UCA College Mascot National Championships.
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