A New ‘Blue’ at Butler U.

Butler University mascot Butler Blue III is hanging up his collar

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There’s a new top dog at Butler University as a crowd at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday said goodbye to one bulldog mascot and hello to the next generation. The university handed over the collar from Butler Blue III, who has the given name of Trip, to the next mascot, Butler Blue IV, known as Blue.

The festivities took place before tip-off of the men’s basketball game between Butler and DePaul University.

Even though a special ceremony marked the transition, the official transfer of power doesn’t actually occur until spring.  The university says Trip’s retirement doesn’t officially happen until the school’s commencement on May 9.

Blue is the fourth live mascot in the school’s history since 2000 when the program began. Trip held the job for eight years.

“It’s been a great run and we’re grateful to the Butler community for rallying around us. It’s all so bittersweet, but for now I just want to send Trip out with a bang. He deserves it, so we’re going to make the most of the time he has left on the job.” said Michael Kaltenmark, Trip’s handler.

Kaltenmark headed the live mascot program for 16 years.