Buzz ( mascot ) Buzz is one of the two official mascot s of the Georgia Institute of Technology . Buzz is usually represented as a stylized yellowjacket with yellow - and - black fur , white wings , a yellow head , and antennae . He is almost never drawn with six legs , but rather with arms , legs , hands ( in white gloves ) and feet ( in black Converse high tops ) , like a human . Invented in 1972 and reinvented in 1979 , Buzz reflects the tradition of referring to Georgia Tech students as " Yellow Jackets . " Buzz is also one of Georgia Tech ' s emblems and trademarks , one that they defended in a 1998 legal conflict with the Salt Lake Buzz . Tradition . Like many mascots , Buzz communicates via hand gestures and sign language , rather than speech . At some school events , there are a few people who dress up as Buzz . The identities of these individuals must be kept secret until their graduation . They must be in excellent physical condition , about 5 ' 4 " tall , and must be able to do a front " suicide " flip called a Buzz Flip , Buzz ' s trademark move . Those interested in donning the Buzz suit must take part in a two - day tryout , judged by the former Buzz . Buzz is officially part of Georgia Tech ' s cheerleading team , so the Buzz tryout happens at the same time as the other cheerleading tryouts . Buzz is beloved by Georgia Tech students and fans for his spirit and antics . He is a prankster and likes to crowd - surf . Buzz is seen at football games , basketball games , Georgia Tech Six Flags Night , and other events . Buzz has parachuted onto the field for pre - game festivities , does push - ups every time Tech scores , and conducts the band for the Budweiser song , a common jingle for the beer . Buzz is involved with charity events , team photos , sports conventions , and official Georgia Tech events such as the annual President ’ s Dinner . Buzz can also be hired for social gatherings , such as weddings and birthday parties . History . The term Yellow Jacket or Yellowjacket has been used to refer to students and the various sports teams as early as the 1890s . Fans of Georgia Tech would often wear yellow jackets to sporting events in support of the early Georgia Tech teams . The early football teams , lacking gold fabric for jerseys , wore yellow jerseys . John Heisman told the Atlanta Constitution that he wanted his teams to be referred to as the Yellow Jackets in October 1905 . In November 1906 , the Atlanta Journal portrayed a University of Georgia football player being attacked by a yellowjacket with the words " Somebody ' s about to get stung " as the caption . This was the first time that the Georgia Tech sports teams were referred to as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in print . Invention and reinvention . The original Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket mascot was Judi McNair who , according to the Winter 2004 edition of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association " Tech Topics " magazine , donned a homemade yellowjacket costume in 1972 and performed at home football games . She rode on the Ramblin ' Wreck and appears in the 1972 Georgia Tech Blueprint yearbook . McNair ' s mascot was considered a great idea , as it was a big hit with the fans . In 1979 , McNair ' s idea for a Yellow Jacket was reintroduced by another Georgia Tech student , Richie Bland . Bland , who was apparently unaware of McNair ' s prior initiative , paid $ 1 , 400 to have a local theme park costume designer make a yellow jacket costume that he first wore at a pep rally prior to the Tennessee football game . Rather than obtain permission from Georgia Tech as Judi had done in 1972 , this student , a few weeks later simply sneaked onto the field in costume during a football game and ran across the field . The fans naturally believed that this costumed character was acting as an official member of the cheerleading squad and responded accordingly . By 1980 this new incarnation of the yellow jacket mascot was given the name Buzz Bee and was adopted as an official mascot by Georgia Tech . This new Buzz character would be the model for a new Georgia Tech emblem , designed in 1985 by Mike Lester . Salt Lake Buzz lawsuit . In 1998 , Georgia Tech filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Salt Lake Buzz , a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team . The Institute had negotiated a deal with the team , but the team backed out of the agreement before it was finalized and filed suit in Utah for the right to use the mark . Tech filed a countersuit and won in 2001 . As a result , the team was forced to change its name ( to the " Salt Lake Stingers " ; several years later , it would adopt its current name of the " Salt Lake Bees " ) and pay Georgia Tech $ 600 , 000 , although Georgia Tech spent $ 700 , 000 to $ 800 , 000 during the dispute . Contests and stunts . Buzz participates in several mascot contests . In 1997 , Buzz won an Access Atlanta poll due to creative ballot stuffing by Tech students . In 2005 and 2006 , Buzz was named to the Capital One All - American Mascot Teams and participated in the Capital One Mascot Challenge . In 2000 and 2001 , Buzz won the NCA ( National Cheerleaders Assoc ) mascot of the year and in 2004 and 2006 , Buzz received second place in the NCA Mascot Competition in Daytona , Florida . On June 14 , 2008 , Buzz rappelled down the 40 story Viewpoint lofts building in Midtown , Atlanta as part of a university fundraiser .