Tom Sapp, a 1969 graduate of the University of Georgia (UGA), is recognized as the creator of Hairy Dawg, UGA’s costumed mascot. The idea for Hairy Dawg originated just weeks before the 1981 Sugar Bowl, when Sapp presented sketches to coach Vince Dooley. The drawings showed a muscular figure with a bulldog’s head and football player’s body. Dooley approved the concept on the condition that Sapp could complete the costume in time for the game.
Sapp and his friend Mac Talmadge worked in Sapp’s basement to build the mascot suit, finishing it shortly before Georgia played Notre Dame in New Orleans. Hairy Dawg debuted at that game, which ended with Georgia securing its second national championship.
Reflecting on his education at UGA, Sapp said, “Many of my best friends to this day came out of that group. Our professors pushed us hard, and those lessons stuck with me throughout my career.” He credited his drawing skills for opening doors in his advertising career after graduating from UGA.
Before Hairy Dawg, UGA’s official costumed mascot was “Fluffy,” which some considered less imposing than desired. The University of Florida’s introduction of a new gator mascot prompted calls for an updated Georgia counterpart.
Hairy Dawg received positive feedback during his debut. At a later home game appearance in Sanford Stadium, Sapp observed children running toward the mascot. “The hair stood up on my arms,” he recalled. “That was the moment I realized this was bigger than I imagined.”
Following Hairy Dawg’s success, Sapp began receiving requests from other organizations to design mascots. He created Sparty for Michigan State and Sluggerrr for the Kansas City Royals. In 1989, he founded Real Characters, Inc., specializing in mascots and brand characters. His work includes Rocky the Mountain Lion (Denver Nuggets), Harry the Hawk (Atlanta Hawks), Fumbles (College Football Hall of Fame), and more than 6,000 Chick-fil-A cow costumes.
Sapp explained his approach: “What I brought from advertising was the discipline to listen. It’s never about me. It’s about the client … who they are, what history they want to honor, and how their fans connect. That’s how you create something that lasts.”
Hairy Dawg has been updated over time to improve mobility and maintain its appeal while preserving key features such as eyes and collar design.
Now serving as creative director at International Mascot Corporation, Sapp supervises teams that bring mascots to life but no longer builds costumes himself. He said his painting teacher at Georgia influenced him by teaching him how to observe closely—a lesson that continues to guide his work.
Sapp said seeing fans embrace mascots is rewarding: “When you see your character embraced, when kids run to it for pictures or fans chant its name, that’s the payoff… It means you captured something real.”
He remains connected to UGA through Hairy Dawg: “It all goes back to Georgia,” he said. “That’s where I learned the discipline, the creativity, and the joy of building something that connects with people.”
