Griff II, the second official live mascot of Drake University, will retire in May 2026. A Dec. 2 campus-wide email announcement invited students, faculty and staff to his retirement party later that day with opportunities to celebrate the bulldog before his departure.
Griff II, known to his family as George, was born July 12, 2018. The seven-year-old English bulldog started his career in the spotlight as a show dog before taking over the role of live mascot at 18 months old. Griff II is also a licensed therapy dog.
The Drake University live mascot appears at various events on campus and in the wider Des Moines community. While there have been many dogs and even ducks who represented Drake throughout time, it wasn’t made an official position until 2015 with Griff I. The history of the live mascot spans over 100 years.
The announcement was a surprise to many people, including Drake senior Alan Fox.
“Me and my friends were definitely a little upset about it because we made the trip down to St. Louis for Arch Madness and we had a sign that said ‘Griff Fanclub,’” said Fox.
Griff II’s retirement party was held at 3 p.m. near Pomerantz Stage in the Olmsted Center, outside of the Bulldog Shop. As well as taking photos with the mascot, attendees could grab bags of puppy chow and stickers with Griff II’s paw print, reading “With so much love, Griff II.”
Erin Bell is the director of Drake University’s Live Mascot Program and caretaker of Griff II.
“I am truly excited for him,” Bell said. “I’m also sad for myself, for the Drake community, but I’m excited for him because I know it’s time and I know he’s ready to take it easy.”
The University plans to reveal the new live mascot on Thursday, Dec. 4. The new mascot will succeed Griff II at the end of his tenure and take the title of Griff III. But until then, Griff II will continue to appear in the community and finish his live mascot career with his Drake family.
