Boston University Mascot Rhett the Terrier: History, Traditions & Fight Song

BU's mascot is Rhett, a Boston Terrier. The breed was chosen by student vote in November 1922 for its "loyalty, courage, determination, speed, enterprise, PEP." The costumed mascot debuted in 1983 and was named Rhett -- after Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind -- because Rhett loves Scarlet, BU's school color. BU's school colors are scarlet and white, and the fight song is "Go BU."

In November 1922, BU students voted to adopt the Boston Terrier as the school mascot. Other candidates included a bull moose and an elephant. The Boston Terrier won because it embodied qualities the student body valued: loyalty, courage, determination, speed, enterprise, and pep. The breed also had a natural connection to the city -- the Boston Terrier was first bred in the United States in 1869, the same year BU received its charter.

1925-1935: Live Mascots

BU had several live Boston Terrier mascots:

• Pep (1925) -- the first live terrier mascot
• Danny (1933) -- beloved campus dog
• Danny II (1935) -- replaced the original Danny, who tragically drowned in the Charles River

The costumed mascot debuted at a November 1983 football game. He was named "Rhett" by the cheerleading squad -- a play on Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind. The logic: Rhett Butler famously loved Scarlet O'Hara, and BU's color is scarlet. The name stuck.

1996-Present: National Recognition

Rhett was named an All-American mascot in 1996 and placed 4th at the National Mascot Championships in 2002. He's appeared in ESPN "This is SportsCenter" commercials and has become one of the most recognizable college mascots in the Northeast.

The scarlet-and-white combination appears on:

• Athletic uniforms (hockey, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, etc.)
• The BU logo and wordmark
• Graduation regalia
• Student merchandise
• Agganis Arena seats and decor

Common confusion: BU is scarlet, Harvard is crimson, BC is maroon. They're all shades of red but distinctly different. Don't call BU's color "crimson" unless you want to start an argument.

BU's fight song is "Go BU", written by Ranny Weeks and Bernie Fazioli, arranged by Joe Levin.

Lyrics:

The song originally referenced football ("Down the field to score anew") but was modified to "ice" after BU discontinued its football program in 1997. At basketball games, it's sometimes sung with "court" instead.

You'll hear it at every hockey game at Agganis Arena, at basketball games at Case Gym, and at commencement. The pep band plays it after every BU goal.

The biggest tradition in BU sports. An annual four-team men's ice hockey tournament held since December 1952 at TD Garden (formerly Boston Garden). Teams: BU, Northeastern, Harvard, and Boston College. BU has won the most Beanpot titles (31) and the tournament is the highlight of the hockey season. The first Monday in February is essentially a holiday for BU hockey fans.

Lobster Night

Since 1985, BU Dining Services has served whole lobsters in every dining hall once a semester. Students can get a full lobster dinner with a regular meal plan swipe. It's one of the most beloved and unique dining traditions at any American college. Lines wrap around the building.

Marathon Monday

The Boston Marathon passes directly through campus on the third Monday of April. BU cancels all classes. Students line Commonwealth Avenue to cheer runners. The atmosphere is electric -- it's the best day of the spring semester.

Splash

The student club exposition held on Nickerson Field during Weeks of Welcome at the start of each semester. Hundreds of student organizations set up tables and recruit new members. It's chaotic, fun, and how most students find their clubs.

BU Beach

Not an organized tradition but a way of life. When the weather breaks in spring, students flood the grassy median of Comm Ave between Warren Towers and West Campus to study, sunbathe, and hang out.

Hockey Culture

Friday night hockey games at Agganis Arena are a social event. The Dog Pound student section is one of the loudest in college hockey. Scarlet and white face paint is common. Beanpot games at TD Garden regularly sell out.

The modern Rhett mascot appears at:

• All home hockey games at Agganis Arena
• Basketball games at Case Gym
• Soccer and lacrosse games at Nickerson Field
• Beanpot tournament at TD Garden
• Youth clinics and community events
• Commencement
• Splash and Weeks of Welcome
• National cheerleading competitions

Who plays Rhett? Students audition for the role. It's a demanding job -- the costume is hot, the schedule is intense, and Rhett is expected to be high-energy for entire games. Identities of Rhett performers are traditionally kept secret during their tenure.

Fun facts:

• Rhett has his own social media accounts
• He was named the 4th-best mascot in the country at the 2002 National Mascot Championships
• The Boston Terrier is the state dog of Massachusetts

Thursday hockey lines -- During Beanpot weeks, students line up hours early to get student section tickets. The line itself becomes a social event.

Senior Week -- The week before commencement includes a harbor cruise, pub crawl, and various events exclusively for graduating seniors.

The Rhett statue -- A bronze Boston Terrier statue sits outside Agganis Arena. Rubbing Rhett's nose before a big exam is considered good luck (though BU doesn't officially endorse superstition as a study strategy).

The Mugar late-night migration -- During finals, Mugar Memorial Library goes 24 hours. The 2 AM energy in Mugar during finals week is a shared experience every BU student knows.

Dining hall rankings -- Every BU student has strong opinions about which dining hall is best. The debate between West Campus (1019 Comm Ave) and Warren Towers never ends.