The 10-month-old Siberian husky will officially take over as UConn's mascot in a "Changing of the Collar" ceremony Sunday at halftime on Gampel Pavilion's center court during the men's basketball game
Jonathan XIV and Jonathan XV sit next to the Husky Statue. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)
He's surveyed his vast kingdom, one campus sidewalk at a time. He's accepted treats from his loyal subjects, sniffed out the scents of Storrs, and (mostly) aced the protocol expected of the heir to a distinguished legacy.
It's time. Jonathan XV is ready to become UConn's top dog.
The 10-month-old Siberian husky will officially take over as UConn's mascot in a "Changing of the Collar" ceremony Sunday at halftime on Gampel Pavilion's center court during the men's basketball game.
While starting the next era of the UConn mascot tradition, it also marks the transition of Jonathan XV's de facto big brother, Jonathan XIV, to a more relaxed "emeritus" status as he approaches his 11th birthday this fall.
In the time since Jonathan XV was publicly introduced last June, he has been going through regular training and reinforcement of appropriate behaviors, and learning to follow the lead of the older Jonathan and his handlers from the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.
"His training will never 'end,' but week by week we've watched him grow, learn, and adjust to our expectations," says Laura Centanni '25 (CAHNR), a co-chair of APO's Husky Committee, which leads the fraternity's work to care for the dogs along with a local host family.
Jonathan XV has been quickly adapting to life in the limelight, becoming more confident every day as he's approached by adoring fans during his walks around campus with Jonathan XIV. That confidence also shines in crowds, which will come in handy as he visits Gampel Pavilion, Rentschler Field, and other UConn Athletics venues.
"He's truly a natural when it comes to games," Centanni says. "The first time I took him to a game, it was like I could see him absorbing the energy of the crowd, and he immediately stood up straighter and had this intense light in his eyes.
"I've never seen him more focused than when he's courtside at a basketball game - except maybe when he's waiting for his dinner," she adds.
Jonathan XV was born April 19, 2023, and was publicly introduced two months later at a UConn Board of Trustees meeting as a ball of fluffy charm, with brilliant blue eyes in a face with markings that mirror the Husky logo.
He's also grown more gangly as he continues toward his anticipated final weight of about 55 to 60 lbs. That's about the size of the all-white Jonathan XIII who'd preceded the current Jonathan XIV, who weighs in at a muscular 77 lbs.
Much of Jonathan XV's progress in his training seems to come from emulating his big brother, just as that Jonathan did when learning as a puppy from Jonathan XIII.
"Jonathan XV looks up to his brother. He follows XIV around constantly and always vies for his attention," says Jenna Epstein '24 (CLAS), who is co-chair with Centanni of the APO Husky Committee. "Jonathan XIV is such a role model for XV, and XV will have big paws to fill, but he'll have the best teacher."
Huskies named Jonathan have represented UConn dating back about 90 years. The name was picked in honor of Jonathan Trumbull, the last colonial governor and first state governor of Connecticut, and Alpha Phi Omega has helped to care for the Jonathans since the 1970s.
The 14th and 15th Jonathans quickly developed a strong brotherly love when the younger dog arrived on campus last spring as a puppy.
"It is truly unbelievable how quickly he is growing up. He loves his walks on campus and meeting all his fellow Huskies at events," Epstein says. "He gets so excited when he's around other people's energy and just adores being around people and getting lots of attention. XV truly loves to be the star of the show and he knows when it's time to work."
For Jonathan XIV, retirement promises a slower pace as he eases into a quieter life as UConn's elder statesdog.
He'll still accompany Jonathan XV on daily walks, though, and along with attending many campus events — and, of course, going on ice cream dates with his special gal pal, K9 Tildy of the UConn Police Department.
"He'll get to do all of the things he loves the most," Centanni says. "He'll enjoy watching his little brother take the reins on basketball games and other big, loud events - but don't worry, he'll still get plenty of excitement and playtime from his handlers and his family."
Centanni, Epstein, and other APO members also say that being part of two mascots' careers has been a special part of their own college experiences, just as generations of previous handlers experienced with earlier Jonathans.
"Being able to work with these boys and see XV grow up is the most rewarding experience and such a massive privilege," Epstein says, describing how Jonathan fell asleep in her arms for hours as a little puppy when he first came home to campus.
"XIV and XV are magnificent dogs and to know and love them is one of the greatest honors," she says.
