Butler U to debut puppy bulldog mascot

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Butler University has a mascot in training, after bringing on a bulldog puppy to its mascot fleet.

The university announced Blue III, also known as Trip, on Thursday. He was born Dec. 23 in Indiana. The university’s current live mascot, Blue II, remains with the school.

“Butler was not looking for its third mascot before Trip was born,” said Michael Kaltenmark, Butler’s director of web marketing and communication and the dogs’ caretaker, in a news release.

The university says Blue II is in good health.

Butler will debut Trip at the Feb. 18 men’s basketball game against Indiana State University. It’s at 2 p.m. in Hinkle Fieldhouse.  The game will be televised live on MyINDY-TV 23.

Trip came from the same breeder Butler used for Blue II nearly eight years ago.

“Trip was essentially ‘a great opportunity’ for Butler. He was the only male in his litter and is a descendant of championship Bulldog, Ch. Cherokee Legend Rock,” Kaltenmark said in a news release.

The puppy bulldog is already on Twitter, Facebook and has his own website .