The Georgia Institute of Technology Yellow Jackets mascot holds a special place in the hearts of students, alumni, and fans of the university. The Yellow Jackets mascot represents the spirit, tenacity, and determination of the Georgia Tech community. The history of the Yellow Jackets dates back to the early 20th century when a newspaper journalist referred to the football team as the "Yellow Jackets" because of their gold and black striped jerseys. The name stuck, and since then, the Yellow Jackets have become synonymous with Georgia Tech athletics. The official Yellow Jackets mascot is Buzz, a larger-than-life insect figure that can be seen cheering on the teams at various sporting events. Buzz embodies the qualities of the Yellow Jackets, including resilience, agility, and unwavering support for the teams.
The Mascots:
Starting in 1905, the Atlanta Constitution referred to the team as the Yellowjackets one word because of the yellow jackets the team s supporters wore to the games. Starting in 1905, the Atlanta Constitution referred to the team as the Yellowjackets one word because of the yellow jackets the team s supporters wore to the games.
Buzz embodies the qualities of the Yellow Jackets, including resilience, agility, and unwavering support for the teams. His energetic presence adds to the excitement and enthusiasm at games, rallying the crowd and creating a sense of camaraderie among fans. Buzz is not only a beloved symbol of the Georgia Tech community but also a source of pride.
The Yellow Jacket: A brief illustrative history
There are a few important developments in a college’s adolescence: a name, a mission and the institution of some sports teams. Even though Tech had a football team, it lacked a unifying mascot. For years, players were referred to as “Blacksmiths” or one of the other many nicknames that came and went. Nothing stuck — not until 1905.
That’s when the nomer “Yellow Jackets” was first used: during a press conference given by then-coach John Heisman, which was covered by the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). The name was bestowed upon the players because of their yellow jerseys.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
A year later, the Jackets saw the first graphic production of their namesake; it was a cartoon in the AJC depicting a cartoon yellow jacket buzzing around a rather ugly University of Georgia football player, who cowers and begs not to be stung. The cartoon, signed by “Brewerton” is accompanied by a caption: “Somebody’s going to get stung.”
For decades thereafter, the mascot was drawn by various artists, cartoonists and illustrators, all with different interpretations.
Some depictions were more popular than others. Most featured an imagined creature that was half man and half insect. A few, according to Director of Living History, Marilyn Somers, were considered offensive because of their allusions to offensive blackface illustrations. The rest, luckily, were inoffensive and the offense intended was towards the Jackets’ rival.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
These illustrations are carefully preserved by the archives department of the Tech library.
Tech produced programs that would feature these illustrations of the yellow jacket. Despite different logos coming into fashion, there was no standardized cartoon of the character.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
In 1979, a student named Richie Bland ran onto the field dressed as a yellow jacket and soon after became the official mascot of Tech, alongside the Reck. This goofy character inspired the drawings that came after.
In 1984, one of those football programs — the Tech vs. Alabama game — featured the yellow jacket that Tech students know and love today.
This illustration was done by Mike Lester, who was a cartoonist for the AJC and eventually became known for his football programs. His piece grew to be the most popular depiction of the yellow jacket, used by the general media, fans and promotional materials from the Institution.
Lester drew about 130 football program covers for Tech’s Athletic Association, and his illustrations were so well-loved that he was presented with a plaque during halftime after 100 illustrations.
Lester, currently a syndicated cartoonist with the Washington Post, still considers this series of drawings one of his greatest accomplishments. He has been a Jackets fan since the start, when he was growing up in Atlanta.
“My dad worked at Capitol Automobile and took me to GT games on [Saturdays]. We walked to The Varsity and then to the game after he got off work. Bobby Dodd was my idol,” said Lester. “Georgia Tech has always been very good to me and my family — and I’m a UGA grad. Go Jackets.”
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Archives
The yellow jacket, who became known as Buzz, faced a few bumps in the road. In 1998, Tech officials filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Salt Lake Buzz, the mascot for a minor league baseball team. After some back and forth, Tech won the legal battle — the team now goes by the Salt Lake Stingers. Tech students remain the only Jackets.
In 2002, Tech officially bought the copyright to Buzz from Lester. The image and name of the Yellow Jacket has remained safely guarded by the students of the Tech community.
“I think every time someone sees the caricature or the image … you look at it and it’s familiar,” Somers said. “It’s something you’re proud of. I think he’s for fun. He’s not to be taken seriously, not for one second.”
With his distinctive appearance and lively personality, Buzz has become an iconic figure on campus. He can be seen at football, basketball, and other sporting events, leading chants, and engaging with fans. Students often don yellow and black attire to show their support for Buzz and the teams. The Yellow Jackets mascot plays a vital role in building school spirit and fostering a sense of community at Georgia Tech. The energetic and charismatic presence of Buzz creates a unique atmosphere at games, encouraging fans to cheer louder and support the teams. Buzz's contagious enthusiasm reinforces the values and principles of the university, inspiring students and athletes alike. In conclusion, the Georgia Institute of Technology Yellow Jackets mascot, Buzz, is a cherished symbol of the university's spirit and pride. With his vibrant personality and distinctive presence, Buzz represents the tenacity and determination of the Georgia Tech community. Through his involvement in various sporting events, Buzz helps build school spirit and foster a sense of community among students, alumni, and fans. His impact is felt far beyond the athletic field, leaving a lasting impression on the Georgia Tech experience..
Reviews for "The Symbolism of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Mascot: Bumblebees or Stinging Insects?"
1. John - 1/5 - The Georgia Institute of Technology Yellow Jackets mascot is just plain awful. It looks like an oversized bee on steroids with a ridiculously oversized head. It's not even clear what animal it's supposed to represent. The design lacks creativity and looks more like an unsuccessful attempt at creating a mascot rather than a well-thought-out symbol for the university. I would strongly recommend the university to consider a rebranding of their mascot to something more appealing and representative of their values.
2. Emily - 2/5 - As a proud alumni of Georgia Tech, I must admit that I am not a fan of the Yellow Jackets mascot. It's a confusing representation of our university with a mascot that doesn't evoke any sense of school pride or excitement. The exaggerated features and lack of clear identity make it difficult for fans to connect with the mascot. I feel like we could have had a much better mascot that embodies the spirit and excellence of our institution. Overall, I think the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot is a missed opportunity and could be improved upon.
3. Mark - 1/5 - The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot is an absolute eyesore. It's hard to believe that this was the best design choice for a prestigious institution like Georgia Tech. The costume looks cheap and poorly made, and the overall design lacks any form of creativity or originality. I find it hard to take pride in our mascot when it looks like a cartoonish insect with no real connection to the university. I think it's time for Georgia Tech to reconsider their mascot and come up with something more inspiring for their students and fans.