Arkansas announces death of Tusk IV, who retired last year

There are some heavy hearts around Arkansas today as the Razorbacks announced the passing of Tusk IV, their mascot who retired last year at the end of the sports year.

Tusk IV died at 10 years old, and after eight years of service.

His son, Tusk V, took over duties following Tusk IV’s retirement last year, according to the school. The razorbacks live at Stokes Family Farm in Dardanelle, Arkansas. The animals are Russian boars which closely resembles the type of “wild band of razorback hogs,” first described by then Arkansas head football coach Hugo Bezdek in 1909. The following year, in 1910, University of Arkansas students voted to officially adopt the new nickname changing the mascot from the Cardinals to the Razorbacks.

Tusk IV was the son of Tusk II, and was the live mascot since the 2011 season. His career record was 44-44.

It’s with a heavy heart we announce that Tusk IV, who retired at the end of the 2019 school year, passed away yesterday at his home in Dardanelle. His legacy will continue to live on through Tusk V (@Tusk_UA) and the entire Razorback Family. pic.twitter.com/U5dAthsOyx

— Arkansas Razorbacks (@ArkRazorbacks) January 13, 2020

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.