Top 5 reasons we think Willie the Wildcat is the best mascot
So maybe we’re a little biased, but we think Willie the Wildcat is the best college mascot around! Here are
the top 5 reasons Willie fills us with purple pride.
1. He’s a cool ’Cat with a rich history
Did you know that the Willie the Wildcat tradition started all the way back in 1947? Adrea Simmons Andersen ’56 played K-State’s first mascot at the September 1947 football game against Oklahoma A&M. She wore a red-brown wildcat costume with black stripes and a tail — certainly very different from Willie’s current look!
Read more about Willie through the years
2. It’s just not game day without him
Can you imagine a game day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium without Willie the Wildcat?
We can’t, either. He helps us all get hyped before kick off, and we cheer for his
post-touchdown pushups. He also leads us in every K-S-U cheer.
3. Kids love him
Whether he’s giving out high-fives on game day or waving to his fans along the route
of the annual Homecoming parade, Willie the Wildcat brings joy to little K-Staters
(and K-Staters who are still kids at heart).
4. He’s got a secret identity
Like Clark Kent as Superman or Peter Parker as Spider-Man, no one knows the identity
of the person behind the mask at Willie the Wildcat’s public appearances. Does that
basically make Willie the Wildcat a superhero too?
5. He’s a great ambassador for K-State
As soon as you spot Willie the Wildcat, you immediately think of Kansas State University,
and a sense of fun, family and, of course, the color purple. Wherever Willie goes,
he brings that K-State spirit with him.
Did you know...
Willie the Wildcat or Willie Wildcat?
Although you may have heard K-State's mascot referenced both ways, according to the university's Official Style Guide, "Willie the Wildcat" is the preferred name of our beloved mascot.