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Bully 101: How mascots are selected and why they retire

When Jak was just a baby, he was picked to take over the family business whenever his father retired. Jak’s grandfather, who he never met, was the first in the family tree to run it, taking the job as a young pup in 2001.

Jak, left, with Pritchard and Champ

Jak, full name Cristil’s Golden Prince, is the new Bully, the 21st mascot in Mississippi State University history. His father Champ was Bully the last seven years and his grandfather TaTonka was the school mascot before him. In dog years, Jak’s grandfather started the family business a century ago, and Jak’s eventual successor will be picked from his own litter when his reign ends.