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Tusk VI

Tusk VI makes a two-hour trek up to Northwest Arkansas for every Razorback football game as well as select other Razorback athletics events throughout the year. Beloved by Razorback Nation and opposing team fans of all ages, Tusk is always the center of attention when he makes an appearance at games or other special events in and around the state of Arkansas.

 

Birthday: April 19th, 2018
Weight: 350 pounds
Favorite snacks: Grapes, apples, corn, watermelon
Activities: Loves to play in mud holes on sunny days
Touchdown Treat: Grapes

History

Tusk I: Tusk I was selected in 1997 and served as the Razorback mascot for eight years. After spending four football seasons at the Little Rock Zoo, Tusk I was moved to the Tyson Foods Farm in Springdale in 2001. In 2002, Tusk I became the father to Tusk II and passed away in 2004.

Career Record: 57-40

Tusk II: The son of Tusk I, born in 2002, and served as the live mascot from 2005-2010.

Career Record: 35-27

Tusk III: Tusk III was the brother of Tusk II and both were second-generation Russian boars. Served for only one football season in 2010.

Career Record: 10-3

Tusk IV: The son of Tusk II, Tusk IV has been the live mascot since the 2011 season. Currently resides at the Stokes Family Farm in Dardanelle. 2018-19 will be his last season before entering retirement.

Career Record: 44-44

Tusk V: The son of Tusk IV and born April 19, 2018. Tusk V served as the official live mascot of the Razorbacks from 2019-22. Within that span, Arkansas turned in the two most successful years in the history of the program, including a pair of top-10 finishes in the Learfield Directors’ Cup and 18 combined SEC Championships, more than double the championships of the next closest SEC program (7). The Razorbacks earned three bowl bids and won two bowl games during Tusk V’s tenure. His final appearance as Arkansas’ live mascot came in the Razorbacks’ 55-53 3 OT win over Kansas in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The Hogs also won in Tusk V’s last regular season appearance, a 42-27 win over No. 14 Ole Miss in the home finale at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Tusk V took over for his father Tusk IV who retired in 2019. He is succeeded by his brother Tusk VI in the continuation of the live mascot program at the University of Arkansas.

Career Record: 21-27

 

The Stokes Family Farm

Tusk VI lives on the Stokes Family Farm near Dardanelle, Arkansas. The work of caring for Tusk VI is shared between Julie Stokes, Abbey Stokes-Hess & her husband Tanner, Chip Stokes and his wife Lori, and their children Colt and Caroline.

 

In Memory of Keith Stokes

Keith Stokes of Dardanelle, the long-time breeder and handler of the live Tusk mascots, left a legacy that will always live on with the Arkansas Razorbacks live mascot program.

“Keith represented everything that is right about our state,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek wrote, in part. “Keith’s loving dedication and selfless service to our live mascot program paved the way for countless fans throughout Arkansas and beyond to connect with their state and their beloved Razorbacks.”

Tusk Fund

In 2008, Razorback Athletics, through the Razorback Foundation and with the support of Razorback Sports Properties, established The Tusk Fund, a fund-raising effort with a goal of creating a live mascot program that is the finest in the nation.

Contributions of any amount are welcomed and most appreciated. Donations go directly toward assisting in the care and feeding of Tusk and to provide even greater living and traveling accommodations. In addition, your contributions will help create a legacy program to guarantee the longevity of the Razorback live mascot program.

Donations may be sent to the Razorback Foundation at 1295 Razorback Road, Suite A, Fayetteville AR 72701.

Donations to the Tusk Fund are generally tax deductible. Please consult your tax professional for questions.
Thank you for your continuing efforts to support the Tusk legacy!

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