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Rocky's Story

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Rocky on basketball court

Rocky's back story didn’t come to light until his debut at the 2009 homecoming men's basketball game received media attention across the region.

Reporters discovered that Rocky began his journey to college mascot fame at the Humane Society of Escambia County in Alabama. At that time he was named Rebel and was surrendered to the shelter with an adult female named Dixie and their 10 puppies. The canine family was fostered at the director’s home for nine days before they were moved to the Rockin’ P Boxer rescue in Jackson, Ala.

Although rescue groups often take in only their breed, Rockin’ P agreed to take all the dogs and try to adopt them out as bulldogs, said Humane Society of Escambia County Director Renee Jones. The next leg of his journey took Rocky to a foster home in Georgia, where UNC Asheville located him.

To know that we were a part of Rocky’s, aka Rebel’s, happy ending and to know that he will bring much joy to the fans and players at UNC Asheville is more gratifying than I can even express,” Humane Society of Escambia County Director Renee Jones said.