By CHERENE O’HARA Freelancer
He can be seen cheering at football games on the sidelines. He will never hesitate to take a photo or shake a hand. And most importantly, he is the heart and soul of Western Oregon University.
Wolfie, as students and faculty know him, has become a key figure on Western’s
campus.
However, it wasn’t until 1928 that the university gained its own mascot.
According to the Western Oregon University Archives, from 1893 to 1927, the university had no mascot, and what is now WOU was known as the Oregon State Normal School.
Then in 1928 football coach Larry Wolfe suggested to students that the team be given a name, thus beginning the search for a mascot.
The student newspaper, then known as the LAMRON, ran a story in October 1928 suggesting names such as the Owls or the Knights and asked for other suggestions.
Later that month an editorial was printed, suggesting the team be named in honor of coach Larry Wolfe. By November, the decision was made, and from then on Western was officially known as the Wolves and our mascot as Wolfie.
The Wolf mascot quickly became a major fixture on campus; his picture was first taken with the football team in fall 1929.
Since 1928, Wolfie has taken on many different forms, both as a live mascot and as a student wearing a costume.
In 1988, a Malamute dog named “Wolf” was purchased with the intention of replacing a student-in-costume style mascot. Wolf was purchased and taken care of by students. He remained the mascot for eight years before retiring in May 1996.
Wolfie will always be a major part of campus life.
Over the years, he has been found on student handbooks, fliers, at sporting and
community events, or just walking around campus.
Though Western has gone through many name changes and Wolfie has been in many different forms, he will always be the mascot that leads our school.
