The University of Connecticut is known for many things — basketball, school spirit, and our mascot, Jonathan the Husky! Though I haven’t had the chance to say hi to Jonathan on campus yet, I sometimes imagine what it would be like to spend the day with him. UConn announced our newest Jonathan during the summer of 2023, and meeting him is definitely on my bucket list. Here’s a list of fun things Jonathan and I would do if I had the honor to hang out with him for a day.
- Get Him Glammed Up
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I would make Jonathan the coolest-looking dog to ever enter Eastern CT — a transformation fit for a canine superstar! Dogs only have a color spectrum of blue-yellow and some browns. So, I’ll find as many black, white, brown, blue, and yellow nail polish as I can get, and have him choose his favorite one. This will be his nail color. Jonathan will get the highest-rated dog-safe chrome nail polish in the color of his choosing, elevating his style to unprecedented levels. And why stop there? Next, a nice eye-catching hat, or maybe sunglasses? Or even both! Dogs are attracted to yellow and blue (for obvious reasons) as yellow stimulates dogs, and blue calms them. We don’t want all the other dogs falling asleep, we want them staring in awe, excited to get closer to the celebrity among them, so yellow it will be!
- Throw Him A Party!
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After his stellar makeover, Jonathan needs somewhere to show it off. Even though he seems to be pretty spoiled already, he deserves a real party, where he can do whatever he wants. In a big yard, beach, or park, Jonathan will get a huge (dog-safe) cake. All of his doggy friends will be there and they’ll run around freely doing whatever they please. As Jonathan mingles with friends and fans, I’ll ensure all the canine company leave with a token of appreciation whether that be bones, tennis balls, or chew toys. In Jonathan’s world, generosity knows no bounds.
Warner Bros - Let Him Play SpikeBall Next To The Union
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The Jonathans here at UConn are constantly at our sporting events, but they never get to play! Today our mascot deserves a chance to unleash his inner athlete. I would take him outside on campus on a beautiful day, and let him have at it with the spikeball players. With Jonathan playing, who knows what will happen? He may steal the ball, wander onto a volleyball court, or crash a basketball practice too. They’ll just have to accept that he’s gonna do what he wants to — why should humans have all the fun?
Reflecting On Our Plans
Spending a day with Jonathan XV, the beloved mascot of UConn, would undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience filled with fun and excitement. So here’s to Jonathan the Husky, whose presence continues to enrich the UConn experience for generations to come. From giving him a glamorous makeover to throwing him a party, and letting him unleash his inner athlete on campus, every moment would be cherished. While the reality of spending a day with Jonathan XV may remain elusive, I will continue to dream about the fun we would have on the red carpet we call the UConn campus.
