Butler Introduces Blue V as Next Live Mascot

The red fawn English bulldog puppy will make his official debut at a Friday campus celebration after succeeding retiring mascot Blue IV.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Dogs

Wide view of a brick campus walkway bordered by a clipped green lawn, with an empty wooden bench and fallen leaves under soft autumn light. — Butler University introduced Blue V, a red fawn English bulldog puppy, as its next live mascot, succeeding the retired Blue IV after nearly seven years. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Butler University introduced Blue V, a red fawn English bulldog puppy, as its next live mascot. He joined April Kirts in Indianapolis on November 1 and succeeds Blue IV, who retired after nearly seven years in the role.

Why it matters

The transition continues Butler's long-running use of a live bulldog mascot as a campus and fan-engagement symbol. Kirts hopes Blue V's personality and social media presence will introduce prospective students and fans to the university.

Blue V was chosen from a litter of six male puppies born in Sorento, Illinois, after Butler's Marketing team traveled to meet them in October. Blue IV, who has about 300,000 social media followers, served nearly seven years before retiring.

The players

Butler University

Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, known for its athletics program and its live bulldog mascot tradition.

Blue IV

Blue IV is Butler's former live bulldog mascot, who served as honorary 'Mayor of March' during the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and appeared in the Netflix documentary 'Dogs.'

The details

Butler's University Marketing team selected Blue V after visiting the litter in October. April Kirts, a Butler alumna who graduated in May with a journalism degree, will oversee his daily care, training and public appearances.

August 17: Blue V is born.
October: Marketing team visits the puppies in Sorento, Illinois.
November 1: Blue V joins Kirts in Indianapolis.
Friday (week of November 13, 2026): Blue V makes his official debut at an afternoon campus celebration.

Culture Shift

Blue V's arrival extends Butler's live bulldog mascot line, in which each successive dog carries the Blue name and a public-facing role. The handoff reflects how university mascots increasingly rely on social media reach to connect with prospective students.

Indianapolis fans can see Blue V in person at Butler's Friday campus celebration and at men's basketball games at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Kirts will handle his public appearances, so visitors should expect him at campus events rather than off-campus venues.

The takeaway

Mascot succession at Butler now depends on a dog's public presence as much as on tradition, so following Blue V's social channels is one way to see how the role evolves. Fans interested in the program can watch for his debut and game-day appearances.

What happens next

Blue V will make his official debut Friday during an afternoon campus celebration and will greet fans at the men's basketball game at Hinkle Fieldhouse.