Providence College’s first mascot was a Dalmatian named “Friar of What-Ho.” The dog purchased by the Friars Club and introduced at a Providence football game against Niagara in the fall of 1935 was an easy choice given that the school was founded by Dominican friars.  The order wears white habits with black over-capes, and some churches came to be represented symbolically by a black and white dog, particularly during the time of the Inquisition, which was overseen by the order of the Dominicans. In fact, one of the nicknames for Dominican friars is “Our Lord’s dogs,” derived from a play on the similarity between Dominican and the Latin, domini canis.” The mascot came to be known as “Friar Boy,” and four generations of “Friar Boy” lived on the College campus.

After the death of Friar Boy IV, a human representation of a Dominican brother became the new face for Providence athletics, but with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the college, the Dominican brothers decided to bring back a live Dalmatian to patrol the sidelines at Friar athletic games. Friar Boy V was introduced on January 16, 1993, when he moved into St. Joseph Hall with his caretaker Brother Kevin O’Connell, O.P., the moderator of the Friars Club. Friar Boy V was seen at Brother Kevin’s side around the PC campus as well as at basketball and hockey games. A student member of the Friars Club was selected to take care of Friar Boy V along with Brother Kevin.

When Friar Boy V died in 2001, a human representation named, “Friar Dom,”  once again became the mascot, but recently, PC has brought the Dalmatian back. The dog is currently unnamed, but Friars Athletics is holding a name the mascot contest via Twitter. Fans are encouraged to Tweet their ideas and suggestions to @PCAthletics with #PC100 to enter.