Wolfie undressed: History of Nevada's mascot
by Kristen Sanders, Outpost contributor
A spotlight hits the center stage at Lawlor Events Center, highlighting the blue block letters of the University of Nevada, Reno. It is the big basketball game between the University of Nevada and its most visible rival, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Suddenly, a ball of silver fur and deep blue cloth runs from the arena steps and does a series of flips across the court. The crowd with the intensity of spirit and excitement as the mascot parades through his spotlight like a spark of energy. The beam of overhead light follows the mascot, tracing "Wolfie," a historic measure of school tradition in wolf's clothing.
The history of mascots begins in the mid-19th century. Edmond Audran, a French composer, wrote a series of oprettas. His favorite was "La Mascotte," a word in French slang for "witch." The plot followed a young girl, who, if she remained a virgin, would bring good luck and fortune to whomever she came into contact with. When broug
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When the University of Nevada's campus extended only as far north as what is now the Nazir Ansari Business building and the tree-ringed Quad was the only location for field sports, the mascot -- vision of a school's pride and loyalty -- had not yet been determined. University of Nevada history professor Richard Davies said the Sagebrush, the campus newspaper, held a contest to name the mascot. Davies, an associate at the university for 18 years, said that 1921 was a time in sports when teams were developing their mascots and very few formal names existed.
"What you have to remember was at that time the school had about 500 to 700 people," Davies said. "These students had a huge impact on making decisions about our school and those decisions have carried over to today."
The names most discussed were the "Sagehens" or "Sagebrushers." The Sagehens had already been adopted by Pomona College in California, and many Nevada students voiced opposition to what they called its triteness as well as its proximity to the U of N campus. The Sagebrush opposed the Sagebrushers because of its length and awkward pronunciation. Suggestions also came in for the "Buckaroos," the "Tartars" and the "Washoes."
Late one night in 1921, Sagebrush editor Leslie Bruce turned to his staff and said: "What do you think of 'Wolves' for a name?"
Bruce felt that "Sagebrushers" was an inadiquate symbol of the U of N. According to an article in the Sept. 6, 1923, edition of the Sagebrush, Bruce wanted an image for the university's athletic teams that would "carry on the idea of life, strength and fighting spirit." In the Dec. 1, 1921, issue, shortly after Bruce's initial question, he started his "Give Us A Name" campaign and made his wolf idea public. Bruce also contacted Lewis Hymers, a U of N graduate working as a commercial artist in Los Angeles. Hymers designed the original wolf's head for the university, one changed and updated through time.
Bruce died Jan. 8, 1923. But his contribution to the progress of the Nevada Wolf Pack remains a strong symbol of school pride.
During World War II, many male college students were drafted, leaving college athletics empty and disorganized.
"Football was a big sport by then," Davies said. "And the school wanted some way to blend it and keep it going."
So the Wolf Pack trysted with the forces at the Reno Army Air Base, now the site of Reno-Stead Airport north of town, temporarily becoming the "Flying Wolf Pack." The change in nickname became more appropriate when the team excelled despite losing 12 men to the wartime draft. Jim Aiken, coach of the Nevada team, melded his team with Lt. Dayton Doerler's forces. The football experiment was so successful the basketball team began a similar endeavor, enabling the Wolf Pack &endash; flying or otherwise &endash; to continue its athletic tradition.
The role of the mascot has changed and been built upon much since composer Audran envisioned it. As once it was a symbol only of school pride, it appeared as a costumed extension of a school's cheer squad around the 1970s. Today, a mascot is also a promoter of community spirit and involvement on campus.
Heather Soper Wilson, head cheer coach at Nevada, called the mascot the school's "icebreaker."
"Wolfie brings a special level of pageantry to the game," she said. "But it goes far beyond that. It's exciting to the community and that makes all the difference."
Mascots are also a special part of the athletic association, Wilson said, because of the ease with which children identify with them. The more Wolfie interacts with the public, the more the public becomes a part of the university.
"Thirty to 40 percent of (local) children relate the word 'home' with Nevada, football and Wolfie," Wilson said.
Wolfie has changed face and figure dramatically since his introduction. Jeff Ardito, director of alumni relations, remembered Wolfie in one form or another since his days playing football here 18 years ago. Ardito described the mascot in 1981, "Sazar," the first real Arctic wolf to take the field. In 1986, a more fearsome Wolfie constume appeared, accompanied by a female "Wolfette" in tights.
"We were trying for the whole wolf family at one time," Ardito said.
As Wolfette faded from the acrobatic scene of college football, a Wolfie similar to the one fans now cheer from August through May came forth. Only this time, he was wearing a hat.
"The hat was a very big deal to the mascot," Ardito said. "I call it the 'Abe' Wolfie. First his hat was stamped 'U of N,' then to UNR. And now, when he wears a hat, it's just the 'N.' "
The last few years, Nevada has had several members of the cheer team fill the furry feet of the Wolfie costume. Wolfie has two suits &emdash; each costing between $5,000 and $10,000: a new and improved tumbling suit and a meet-and-greet costume. Funding for the uniforms is donated by the university's alumni association and various sponsorships.
Gretchen Kelly, an affiliate of the alumni association and once a Wolfie stand-in, walked beside the mascot during the annual summer alumni picnic, last year held on the Quad.
"There's food, music and, of course, Wolfie," she said.
Kelly expressed amazement at the crowd's response to the mascot, saying he stole the spotlight.
"Kids are enamored by his presence," she said. "They look at him all wide-eyed like they would Santa Claus. Some kids cry and some are scared, but most have fun. Even the adults have fun with Wolfie."
Perhaps the most memorable Wolfie incarnate was a Japanese exchange student. When Hitoshi Yoshiike first traversed the Pacific Ocean in the early 1980s, he knew little of the language and less about the culture. But Yoshiike adapted well, becoming one of the most-remembered mascots at the U of N.
Paul Page, vice president of advancement at the university, recruited Yoshiike and remembered fondly his mascot spirit: "He was outstanding and extremely acrobatic. The crowd could tell when he was Wolfie and when someone was substituting for the day."
According to Page, Yoshiike returned to Japan a popular figure among his peers. Nevada's sister school in Japan invited him to speak at its graduation ceremony and tell of his American experience. Yoshiike's parents were extremely supportive of his talents and the experience he had at Nevada, Page said: They donated a large sum of money and purchased the new Wolfie costume. Page said Yoshiike, too, was fond enough of his U of N experience that he also cut a large check to the alumni association.
But mascots can extend even farther beyond the international scene. There are mascot camps that teach how to be an effetive mascot, both in performance and the furthering of school spirit and tradition, Wilson said.
Bo Peyton, a representative for the United states Cheerleading Association and head of the mascot camp in Memphis, Tenn., said the goal of the camp was to introduce new stunts and create enthusiasm.
"Our camp is less structured than most, but that doesn't mean it's less serious, " Peyton said. "We want mascots to learn how to let their creative spirit come out through the personality inside of the costume."
The camp also encourages mascots to do work in the community, stressing that many mascots give a school its identity, Peyton said. The camp is taken seriously by instructors and participants, costing an average of $200 a week depending on the size of the school.
"Being a mascot takes a lot of dedication," Peyton said. "There are rules of the costume just like any other game and you're on your feet sometimes for five hours. Energy is constant."
Before the big show, Wolfie takes time for an interview. He refuses to give his name because, after all, he is Wolfie.
"It would ruin my image," he said, pointing to his furry chest.
Wolfie can do a series of stunts, dances and gymnastic jumps &emdash; including a round-off back hand-spring. But the stunts can become extremely difficult, especially in the heat. To help cool the costume, a small fan was inserted in the head and ice packs can be placed in the suit's lining.
"Still, though, this is a sweat suit," Wolfie said. "Mascots get their workout and lead the school with spirit. With that understanding there is a cameraderie between mascots."
Wolfie's favorite comrade is the Fresno State University Bulldog. The two have crossed paths many times.
"I was so embarassed because I almost lost a fight with the Bulldog at a football game once," Wolfie said. "But I got him good the second time."
The weekend of Dec. 5, Wolfie will host a charity event in Elko. He'll pack his deep U of N roots for a few days to introduce himself to those less fortunate.
Wolfie stands impatiently on the ball of his back paw. It is time to perform. Deep behind the screened, black eyes, a faint shine of human movement flickers. Wolfie adjusts his blue, sequined shirt, gives a thumbs-up and says, appropriately, "Go Pack!" before he runs into the arena. Each step Wolfie takes is a reminder of the history and tradition of this institution, as well as one step closer to the future. He does it loyally and proudly, wearing the silver and blue of the Wolf Pack.
Posted March 12,
1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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