WASHINGTON — From the ashes of one Jack, another rises to take his rightful place on the Hilltop as the next Jack the Bulldog.
Georgetown University announced that a 4-month-old puppy will be the next official university mascot. Jack joins a long line of bulldog mascots, including the most recent Jack the Bulldog who passed away in July from a brief illness.
The new pup will arrive on the Hilltop the first week of January 2024. Jack, whose official papered name is Serchell’s John P. Carroll, hails from California and was born in July 2023. Weighing in at 30 pounds, Serchell’s enjoys sunbathing, cantaloupe, and playing with other dogs.
“We are excited to welcome our new mascot, Jack, to our university community,” Julia Farr, executive director of the Georgetown Alumni Association said. “Jack has been getting ready to join his fellow Hoyas for several weeks, learning all the important parts of his role like walks in the neighborhood, playing with new friends and jumping on a skateboard for a ride. He will bring to life our Spirit of Georgetown in all he does here on campus.”
When Jack arrives on campus, he will be cared for by his caretaker and the Jack Crew, a group of students who take Jack on daily walks and escort him to on- and off-campus events. The Jack Crew has helped look after the mascot for 20 years.
The new puppy will be the ninth bulldog to serve as the university mascot and to be named Jack. The first Jack the Bulldog trotted on campus back in 1962. The students purchased a two-year-old bulldog, whom they planned on calling “Hoya” after previous years' mascots. But the dog would only answer to Jack, thus beginning a new tradition for the next 50 years.