A unique kind of fraternity: Derek Hildebrandt and fellow members of the Bucky Badger Mascot Alumni Association. Courtesy of Derek Hildebrandt
In 1997, Derek Hildebrandt ’93, a former Bucky Badger mascot, started the Greater Bucky Open because he wanted to give back to the university. Hildebrandt donates his time to organize the golfing event and related activities that raise money for the American Family Children’s Hospital and has recently provided $1,000 scholarships to the students who bring Bucky Badger to life each year.
Those awards were especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. As recipient Alex Nelson ’23 wrote in 2020, “Thanks to your scholarship, I didn’t need to put any extra financial pressure on my family, and I really can’t put into words how much that means to me.”
Because the time demands on the mascots leave little room for conventional part-time jobs, Hildebrandt realized that these students could use additional support. “They devote many hours a week to practices, conditioning, sporting events, and a ton of nonsporting appearances,” he says. “And it’s not like the students can monetize name, image, and likeness opportunities as other athletes can.”
So Hildebrandt and fellow members of the Bucky Badger Mascot Alumni Association partnered with the UW Foundation to create an endowed fund with a goal of raising $2 million to establish eight endowed scholarships for the mascot team — scholarships that will cover in-state tuition (currently $12,166). The fund has raised about $90,000 so far.
Hildebrandt was thrilled that UW Athletics recognized former Bucky mascots on the field during last year’s football game in celebration of Bucky’s 85th birthday. He’s also grateful for the department’s long-standing support of the Greater Bucky Open and the Bucky mascot association.
Now a senior vice president at Pixelogic in Los Angeles, Hildebrandt enjoyed his “two glorious years” being Bucky and says, “I just wanted to give back something to the mascots.” When the students graduate and attend the Greater Bucky Open, he gives each one a plaque. “They get recognized in person. So it’s really just a Bucky lovefest.”
Hildebrandt knows every former mascot from the past 30 years, mostly from their participation in the Greater Bucky Open. “They’re all such unique, enthusiastic, energetic people,” he says. “It’s just a fun bunch to be around.” He adds that it’s nice that the Bucky alumni group gets to interact with the current students, “just so the students can see like, wow, this is a unique kind of fraternity that they’re part of.”
For more on the mascot scholarships, visit supportbucky.org.
Published in the Winter 2026 issue
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