We love mascots that are purebred dogs (naturally) and it’s well know that several universities and colleges regard the Bulldog as their mascot, and that Reveille is the official mascot of Texas A&M University. But did you know that the Great Dane is the official mascot of the University at Albany, SUNY in New York?

Back when the school was the New York State College for Teachers (before it became the University at Albany), the school mascot was “Pedwin,” the penguin. In 1965, the Great Dane was chosen by the student body to replace “Pedwin,” because of its qualities of courage, strength, speed and stamina, qualities the student body felt were more reflective of the major transformations under way at that time. The dog was nicknamed “Damien,” and when UAlbany’s athletics made the move to Division in 1999, an art student sculpted the larger-than-life Great Dane now on display in the lobby of the school’s Recreation and Convocation Center. The sculpture was a gift to the University from the Class of 1999 and a few years later in 2003 a “baby” Dane joined Damien at games and other school functions. The University launched a contest to name new new “baby Dane” and the winner was “Lil’ D,” announced during pre-game activities at the University’s annual basketball bash, the Big Purple Growl.