We Are Wolves: A History of the WOU Mascot
This exhibit is an overview of the school mascot from 1927 to 2017. It inculdes images from early publications, use of the wolf image in events and five of the mascot costumes.
In the 90 plus years since the Student Body Association voted for the Wolf to become the mascot for the school, the image of a wolf has inspired the student body and alumni with school spirit and cheer. Taking on numerous forms in publication, costume, and represented by both male and female wolves. No matter the form the mascot takes the sentiment remains, WE ARE WOLVES!
Before We Were Wolves
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, 1928In October of 1952, a contest started to give a name to the wolf mascot. Entries were to include the name and a sketch for a cash prize of $2.50 for the name, and $5.00 for the best sketch.
It ended on October 24, 1952 and the new official school emblem was named "Waldo Wolf" with a sketch done by Ed Fitzsimmons.
Wolves Presence in the Media and Around Campus
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.
Homecoming Week Celebrations
During Homecoming week in 1952 students put out decorations on the dormitory and boarding house lawns to show their school spirit and support of their beloved football team. This was the year they played against the Oregon Institute of Technology Owls. In the left image, Waldo Wolf is rolling over the OTI Owl.
For Homecoming 1968 there was a competition between residence halls to create the best paper mache mascot sculpture. Barnum Hall was awarded first place for their eye-catching signs. The theme was "Anything Goes". The creations were featured in the 1968 OCE Lamron, student newspaper and The Grove yearbook in 1969.
The Wolves Shack
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.
1967-1980: Stuffed Wolf
In 1967, the Oregon College of Education student body purchased a stuffed wolf mascot. The wolf was mounted on a wheeled platform and was paraded around at spirit and sporting events.
In 1971, the stuffed wolf was stolen by the Eastern Washington State (EWS) track team, and a photo of the EWS team with the wolf, which they renamed “Charlie wolf,” was published in the June 4 issue of the LAMRON.
There is no official documentation of when the stuffed wolf was decommissioned or if it was return by EWS.
1981-1988: WOSC Waldo Mascot
Western Oregon State College debuted its first official mascot costume in 1981.
Though wolf costumes appeared at Homecomings in previous years, the first official Wolf Mascot costume was made by theatre professor Dr. Richard Davis and his wife Beverly in 1981. It was created in a whimsical cartoon fashion that included two different hats; one with polka-dots and the other with the Western Oregon State College initials, WOSC. It was commisioned by President Myers and decommissioned in 1988 to make way for a new wolf mascot costume.
1987-1991 Live Malamute Mascot
The Associated Students of Western Oregon State College (ASWOSC) purchased a malamute wolf mix, named Wolf, to become a live mascot in 1987. He attended sporting events, rallies, and was seen around campus during his daily walks. In 1991 he was retired due to health issues. ASWOSC made the decision not to have another live mascot due to the costs required to maintain the housing, feeding, and health care of a live animal.
1988-1994 WOSC Mascot
The mascot costume of the late 1980's-early 1990's, is shown here in action at sporting events, rallies, and around campus. This less menacing version of the Waldo Wolf mascot was purchased in 1988 by the Western Oregon State College (WOSC) rally team, which is now known as WOU Cheerleaders.
During halftime of the November 5th, 1994 Homecoming football game, the torch was passed and the duty of bringing good luck was bestowed upon a new mascot and the old mascot retired.
1994-1999 Waldo "Wolfie" Mascot
Fierce and larger than life, this new mascot was only in action for 5 years at this university. He was introduced as the new mascot in a ceremony at halftime of the 1994 Homecoming football game. This was the first time that the mascot was called "Wolfie," short for Waldo Wolf. Not only did this mascot bring good luck at sporting events, he was also invited to other campus functions branching out his public appearances to alumni dinners, campus meetings and banquets. This Wolf mascot saw the changing of the school name from Western Oregon State College to Western Oregon University.
1999 - 2015 WOU Mascot
This mascot serves as the fourth installment to the mascot series and to date the longest serving mascot costume. It was first introduced by Dr. Betty Youngblood, President of Western during the 1999 Homecoming football game.
This Wolf was designed to reflect the new athletics logo and was funded by the President’s office, Associated Students of Western Oregon University (ASWOU), and the Athletics Department.
2015 - 2017 WOU Wolfie Mascot
Introduced in 2015, this costume is designed specifically for comfort of the wearer. The costume is equipped with multiple fan and ventilation systems, which serve as a suit cooling system, allowing the mascot to be more active at sporting events.
The friendlier design makes him more approachable to the younger members of the Western community.
The official ASWOU name for the mascot costume was Waldo 'Wolfie' Wolf, but it was generally referred to as just "Wolfie."
In Fall 2016, all the mascots costumes that are in the WOU Archives and the one currently used were paraded through campus for a photo session. These are some of the group photos of all the mascots together with the 2016 Cheerleaders surrounding them at The Grove and on Athletic fields. The photographs were used along with the heads of the mascots in an exhibit for Homecoming at the Werner University Center, titled, Go Wolves!: The Progression of Our Mascot. Photographs were taken by Denise Visuanõ from Public Relations and Jessica Roberts from Student Engagement.
Acknowledgements
The image scanning, research and exhibit creation for "We Are Wolves: Mascots and History" was completed by Kalea Borling, WOU IDS student/WOU Archives student employee. Editing assistance was provided by Sue Kunda, Scholarly Communication Librarian, and Jerri Lee Parpart, WOU Archives Coordinator.