What Is The Arkanzas Mascot?

The University of Arkansas Razorbacks have several costumed mascots that attend major sporting events. Big Red, also known as the “Fighting Razorback”, represents the intimidating fighting spirit of the Razorbacks at all athletic events. Tusk, a Russian boar from Dardanelle, Arkansas, is the official live mascot of the Razorbacks. Tusk IV, the son of Tusk II, is the current mascot.

The Razorbacks were originally called the Cardinals, but after football coach Hugo Bezdek proclaimed the team played like a “wild band of razorback hogs”, the Razorback became the official mascot. Since 1910, the Razorback has been used as the mascot by the university.

Tusk IV, a 500-pound Russian boar, closely resembles the wild hog of Hugo Bezdek’s day. Tusk II is the current Razorback mascot, a strapping Russian boar. His predecessors in the role of Head Hog have been hogs.

The University of Arkansas is the only one with a Razorback as its mascot. The athletic teams were originally called the Cardinals. Tusk V, born on April 19, 2018, served as the official live mascot of the Razorbacks from 2019-22. Each Tusk has been in the same lineage.

According to legend, in 1909, Football Coach Hugo Bezdek unknowingly changed the Arkansas mascot from the Cardinal to the Razorback after saying his players played like a “wild band of razorback hogs”.