Staff
Four universities in the nation are known as the Jaguars, but we were the first!
The name “Jaguars” appeared in the Augusta Chronicle way back in 1933, when their sports writer mentioned the coach at the Junior College of Augusta needed a team moniker. The team was already informally nicknamed the Jaguars, and the sports writer suggested adopting the name. From that time on, they were referred to as the Junior College Jaguars.
But it wasn’t until 1992 that the school had its first mascot. Al E. Cat joined the team and helped keep the spirit and high energy of Jaguar sports alive for 23 years, until he retired in 2015 due to an injury requiring “Tommy Jaguar” surgery.
Hearing of Al E. Cat’s impending retirement, Chief Fun Officer of Children’s Hospital of Georgia Roary recommended Augustus, his big brother, to Athletic Director Clint Bryant as a replacement. And the rest is history in the making.
Three Qs With Augustus
Q: Augustus, how do you feel about having been appointed the new mascot?
A: It’s a tremendous honor. I mean, really, how often do you get to be a professional Jaguar and cheer for the Jaguars at the same time? It’s a dream job. It’s like they made it for me. I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity.
Q: How do you see yourself adjusting to the new role? A lot of people would say you have some pretty big shoes to fill.
A: Al E. Cat was a great cat. He did a lot of wonderful things for the institution, and I intend to carry on that spirit of Jaguar Pride he instilled in our athletes.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to faculty, staff and students?
A: We have some world-class talent here. Whether it’s in academics, athletics or both, our students are worthy of being called Jaguars. Get more than one of them in any place, and great things are bound to happen. I can promise you that!
