Willie the Wildcat (Kansas State)

Willie the Wildcat
Willie the Wildcat impresses a young Wildcat fan
University	Kansas State University
Conference	Big 12
Description	A student bedecked in an oversized Wildcat head
First seen	1947
Website	Official Site

Willie the Wildcat is the official mascot for the Kansas State University Wildcats.

Kansas State's athletic teams first acquired the nickname "Aggies," during the start of the 20th century. This name lives on in the entertainment district that abuts the University, Aggieville.

The first costumed Willie mascot appeared in 1947. Willie has changed many times, and currently, has an appearance that is heavily influenced by the team's Powercat logo.

In 1989, the Powercat logo was introduced by football coach Bill Snyder, wanting a new logo for his team. Tom Bookwalter, a Kansas native and K-State art professor, created the logo.

In 1997, the current "21st Century" Willie was created. Willie has gray fur, with two white stripes to resemble the Powercat logo. This head weighs eleven pounds. Willie can be seen at various K-State sporting events, often dressed as an athlete. (Sixth Generation)

The student inside the mascot costume (whose identity is kept secret) changes every few years, and the persona of Willie has remained the same throughout. Willie has been known to crowd surf and he also does one push-up for each point on the board for K-State when the Wildcats score a touchdown or make a field goal.