Duke Dog to appear on 'Today Show'

courtesy of Sports Media Relations

Duke Dog will appear on NBC’s "Today Show" tomorrow between 7 and 10 a.m. as part of the Capital One All-American Mascot team.

Duke Dog also will participate in the Ukrops Christmas Parade in Richmond Saturday, which will be televised nationally on CBS with about 7,000 people in attendance. The Richmond JMU Alumni chapter created a float to promote Duke Dog.

Duke Dog has a winning streak of 7-0 in the Capital One Mascot Bowl.

"University of Maryland’s news editor called me interested in how JMU has been promoting and winning," said senior Mike Keown, intern for the athletic marketing department. "It’s just been a joint effort between students, alumni and faculty; it’s really a coordinated effort."

E-mails are sent out weekly to alumni chapters, the Student Duke Club and all athletic and JMU marketing offices, Keown said.

"Fans look at the competition and say it’s a way we can affect an athletics outcome, unlike a football game where they can’t help," said Brad Edmondson, director of athletics marketing.

Beyond the sense of school spirit, some are enjoying the media attention.

"I think it’s great — not just for Duke Dog, but for the whole school with the free publicity," Duke Dog said. "Lots of people are getting involved _— students, their families and even alumni."

Duke Dog first made his appearance on Nov. 30, 1982, at a men’s basketball game against the Virginia Military Institute. He was named after the president of JMU from 1919 to 1949, Samuel Duke and his pet bulldog. Ever since, Duke Dog has shown up at all JMU sporting events, fund raisers, community events such as Special Olympics and weddings.

Today, there are three Duke Dogs, all of whose identities are kept secret. "The part of Duke Dog is all about tradition and secrecy," Keown said. "The Duke Dog is never seen without his head on or in only half of his costume."