Peru State athletic teams did not have a mascot until 1921. It was then that “Baldy” Wilcox, the sports editor of the school’s newspaper the Pedagogian, and Dean W.N. Delzell decided the pseudo-nickname given to Peru’s teams, “The Teachers,” just didn’t fit. Wilcox wanted something a little more intimidating for the school.
After a great deal of thought, it came to him one night: “Fight like a Bobcat.” Wilcox proposed the mascot to the athletes, who immediately agreed, and the Peru State College Bobcats were born.
On October 27, 1927, Peru received a live Bobcat. According to the Pedagogian, Peru State was the first team in the conference to actually have a live mascot. The animal was a gift from George Hansen, class of 1912. He offered the bobcat to Dean Delzell who accepted the gift on behalf of the school.
“Bob” the Bobcat lived in a cage south of the Peru State Auditorium until his death in 1938. He was then preserved and has resided in the student center for years.
The current Bobcat logo evolved in 2004 and was designed by PSC Professor of Art, Randy Waln.
* Information from “The Normal on the Hill” by Ernest Longfellow.
