Northern's Mascot Evolution
The current, iconic Wildcat Willy mascot
Sep. 27, 2024 —
Northern's iconic, modern-era Wildcat Willy mascot was first conceived in 1984, when then-hockey coach and current athletic director Rick Comley tapped student Jay McQuillan to pioneer a design for a suited figure that would energize the environment at athletic events, increase school spirit and provide a unified look for all NMU teams. But an early incarnation of a mascot was actually a live female bobcat named … Bobby.