From Paint Fights to Ribbon Cuttings to the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, no one is busier during Relays Week than Griff. However, with this being Griff II’s final Relays before he retires, this year may look a little different.
As the live mascot, Griff has many responsibilities and appearances to make during the week. Live Mascot Director Erin Bell is the one who’s in charge of making it all happen.
“Planning for the Relays [for me] involves Beautiful Bulldog Contest meetings and planning, Griff Gives Back planning and execution and rescue festival coordination,” Bell said. “It also involves fielding and responding to the many requests that come in for appearances by Griff during Relays.”
Griff will make appearances at a variety of other events throughout Relays Week. However, Bell stressed that his well-being comes first.
“Griff II has gotten older and a little slower. His stamina isn’t what it used to be. His wellbeing and comfort are always at the forefront of my mind and priorities, so I have… shortened the amount of time we are committed to be at each event,” Bell said in an email interview. “There are also some events that I don’t promise his presence at — I tell them I have him there if I can, depending on how he is feeling/doing as well as the weather.”
As for Griff III, Griff II’s successor, Grifftern Kate Hagemeier said it’s very likely that he will make an appearance during Relays as well.
“I don’t have any confirmation, but I am pretty positive he will be… at a lot of things, just [to get] him used to it all,” Hagemeier said. “He’s been to a lot of events with us recently.”
Bell said she has to start planning for Relays about a year in advance. One of Griff’s biggest efforts, the Griff Gives Back campaign, took place before Relays Week.
“This is the 11th year for Griff Gives Back, and we’ve collected nearly 200,000 pounds of food for local pets in need over the course of the initiative, which started with Griff I,” Bell said.
This year, the goal was to collect 20,000 pounds of adult cat and dog food. All of the collected pet food is donated to the nonprofit The Pet Project Midwest. This nonprofit donates dog and cat food to families in need through a variety of programs.
Tammy Crall, president of the board for The Pet Project Midwest, said Griff Gives Back is imperative for them to continue their mission.
“The amount of food that Griff usually provides us can last us almost nine months, for the dog portion at least, which is a massive help,” Crall said. “It closes the gap on what we need to fundraise, and because of the partners that help with Griff, we get high-quality, really good food that we feel good about giving out, and we couldn’t do what we do without Griff.”
The campaign culminated at the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, which Griff oversees. The contest, a more than 40-year-old tradition, kicks off Relays Week by having 24 English bulldogs strut their stuff to be crowned “The Most Beautiful Bulldog,” along with a variety of other awards.
“I am also in charge of the Rescue Festival, which is one part of the Beautiful Bulldog Contest. The Rescue Festival happens on the track level during the hour prior to the pageant. It is open to the public to meet and talk with various animal welfare and rescue organizations,” Bell said. “I will also be present with Griff II, who will sit in his chair, look handsome, and ‘oversee’ the festivities.”
Hagemeier, who has been a Grifftern since her sophomore year, said she was very excited for Relays week despite how busy and stressful it can be.
“It’s great to see all the alumni come back and just all the love and happiness around Drake,” Hagemeier said.
Follow Griff II through a day in his life as Drake’s live mascot during Relays — watch on Instagram @draketimesdelphic.
