Handsome Dan is a bulldog who serves as the mascot of Yale University's sports teams. In addition to a person wearing a costume, the position is filled by an actual bulldog, the honor (and the title "Handsome Dan") being transferred to another upon death or retirement. Handsome Dan is selected based on his ability to tolerate bands and children, negative reaction to the color crimson and to tigers (the symbols of rival schools Harvard and Princeton respectively), and cleanliness.
Handsome Dan is the first live college mascot in America. In addition, he is believed to be the first live mascot in all of America. Since the inception of the tradition in 1889, 16 dogs have held the position.
Read more about Handsome Dan: Handsome Dan I, Handsome Dan II, Handsome Dan III, Handsome Dan IV, Handsome Dan V, Handsome Dan VI, Handsome Dan VII, Handsome Dan VIII, Handsome Dan IX, Handsome Dan X, Handsome Dan XI, Handsome Dan XII, Handsome Dan XIII, Handsome Dan XIV, Handsome Dan XV, Handsome Dan XVI, Handsome Dan XVII, Alleged Bulldog Strangulation
Famous quotes containing the words handsome and/or dan:
“One night betimes he went to rest, for he had caught a fever.
Says he, ‘I am a handsome man, but I’m a gay deceiver.’”
—George Colman (1762–1836)
“Upon entering my vein, the drug would start a warm edge that would surge along until the brain consumed it in a gentle explosion. It began in the back of the neck and rose rapidly until I felt such pleasure that the world sympathizing took on a soft, lofty appeal.”
—Gus Van Sant, U.S. screenwriter and director, and Dan Yost. Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon)