A History of the WOU Mascot 1928
Prior to 1928, the school athletic teams were known as the Normals when competing with other schools. In September of that year, Football Coach Larry Wolfe suggested to the associated student body that the school needed a mascot. Following Wolfe's suggestion, the student newspaper, The Lamron, ran a story in the October 9, 1928 issue with the headline, "What Shall we Call Them?", and suggested names like Owls, Knights, Pedagogues, asking for additional suggestions.
The official 'Wolves' naming was announced in The Lamron on November 13, 1928 with the student poem, "Wolfe and his ONS Wolves". The 1929 NORM student yearbook was dedicated to the Mascot and was the first school publication to use the wolf image and dedicates the team name to Coach Larry Wolfe. In a November 16, 1934 article in The Lamron, Larry Wolfe is reaffirmed as the man whose name is behind the school mascot.
Wolfe and His O.N. S. Wolves Who will win the glorious fight, When might is pitted against might, We’ll say this and it is right! Wolfe and his O.N.S. Wolves! Who are strong as strong can be, Who always fight for you and me? At the football games you’ll see! Wolfe and his O.N.S. Wolves! Every battle, every minute, Just as Wolves they’ll fight and win it, Though there’s work and labor in it. Wolfe and his O.N.S. Wolves. By LeMoine Murray (Oregon City, OR) Printed in the LAMRON, November 13, 1928
After we were officially named 'Wolves', the student newspaper, yearbooks, and team jerseys began to include images of our newly found mascot. The campus used the wolf theme in naming areas on campus, such as The Wolves Shack Fountain (formerly the College Inn) and later in naming Waldo's Den in the Student Union (now known as the Werner University Center). We proudly see our wolf mascot everywhere.
A small campus cafe for students to purchase quick snacks and drinks was renamed "The Wolves Shack" in 1928 after the the Wolf became the school mascot. It was previously called the "College Inn" before the name change.
