2/24/26: Jonathan the UConn Husky and his APO handlers -- original airdate 4/14/25

February 24, 2026·35 min·3 clips

Meet Jonathan the 15th, the UConn Husky mascot trained by student handlers from Alpha Phi Omega.

Jonathan the 15th is the guest, though his handlers do the explaining once the host gets past calling him the best mascot in college sports. Laura starts with the origin story. Jonathan came home in 2023 at 10 weeks old, and the training started right away. The goal is simple: get him ready for crowds, travel, events, and the regular work of supporting the Huskies without making the dog the least prepared person in the room. Bridget talks about the Hartford parade, where Jonathan met players, walked through the streets, and saw UConn fans up close. The conversation keeps drifting back to the real work behind a mascot people see in big University of Connecticut moments. Tampa comes up early. Laura says Jonathan has already been around for two national championships during his tenure. New York gets a mention too, and the handlers say he seemed to like the colder trip better, though Tampa had its own weight because the women won the national championship this year. The travel details are where the segment has the most fun. The host has seen photos of Jonathan on a plane with a tray table and a little basketball hoop, then asks about TSA pre-check. The answer plays like a local-radio joke: Jonathan went through security like everyone else, except he did not have shoes or a belt to take off. The less cute part is coordination. Athletic department requests go through APO chapter advisors because student handlers change every few years. Tracy and Elisa are named as the people who help keep the university connected to the right handlers and credentialing process when high-profile events are coming up. Food gets a quick laugh. The host asks what Jonathan likes to eat, works in a South Carolina aside, and Bridget says string cheese is his favorite reward when he is out walking around. The visit also has limits. Jonathan does not do personal visits, but weddings and university or Connecticut-affiliated events can go through his email address. The handoff is already coming. Laura is a senior, so Bridget and her co-chair Chris are expected to answer the mascot email next year. The interview closes warmly, with the host thanking Laura, Bridget, APO, and Jonathan for coming into the studio and helping shepherd the Husky around campus.

As heard by us

A grounded campus mascot interview that leans on logistics more than heat.

Jonathan the 15th turns this interview into a practical look at what a campus mascot actually does day to day. The strongest details are the ones that make the work concrete: brought home in 2023 at 10 weeks old, strict training, TSA pre-check, cheese sticks, flights,…

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Why you'd press play

Listen as Jonathan the 15th, UConn's husky mascot, travels, trains, and shows up like a celebrity.

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