New mascots prepare for game day
Herbie Husker has been the official mascot of the University of Nebraska- Lincoln since the early 1970s. But since 1993, many have been drawn to sporting events not only to see a university staple, but to see the antics of Lil' Red.
"Lil' Red was added for women's sports as a pure entertainment factor, but he became so successful that we now use him for all sports," said Renee Black, athletic licensing coordinator and spirit squad adviser.
The popularity of Lil' Red has grown so much that last year the UNL Spirit Squad bought another suit for about $5,000.
The additional suit allowed Lil' Red mascots to perform at more events and gave them another suit in case the old one breaks down, Black said. Last year, the mascots each made 250 to 300 public appearances.
For their work as mascots, the four students receive a book scholarship and a $1,000 reimbursement.
Lil' Red performs at soccer, volleyball and football games during the fall season and at many charity events. Black said that Lil' Red serves as a mini-ambassador for the university, the city and the state.
"We chose to perform at charities because it helps give the charities a draw," Black said.
Lil' Red may be a favorite among fans, but most of the people are in the dark about how the costume works.
The suit acts like an inflatable mattress, Black said. The student inside the suit wears a belt with a battery strapped onto one hip and a blower attached to the other hip.
The student controls how much air is sucked into the costume by adjusting the blower. The batteries that operate the blower last for an hour, Brad Post, a junior broadcasting major and varsity Lil' Red mascot, said.
Post said he can see out of the costume through a one-way screen on the front of the suit.
In April, Post took his act to the National Cheerleaders Association National Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla., and finished in second place. He lost to the Hokey Bird from Virginia Tech University.
Another highlight for Post was going to Celebrity Mascot Olympics this summer in Orlando, Fla. The olympics featured college and professional mascots from all over the country.
"I did my headstand and everyone quit what they were doing and watched because most of them had never seen it done before," Post said. "It was kind of flattering."
