All across the nation, sports teams have their mascots ranging from the typical Trojans to the always memorable Wildcats, but there is not one mascot that can compare to Western Kentucky University's "Big Red." Big Red is famous for a plethora of commercials and is also featured in Brad Paisley's newest video for his song "Country Nation." You can't miss that big blob of red when Big Red is on the field cheering on the Tops. The main question that people always ask Hilltopper fans is, "But what is your mascot"? and the typical response is, "It's just Big Red." So here you are, America, all the questions you've ever had about Big Red, answered in one place.
1. What is Big Red?
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Big Red is different for each and every Hilltopper fan, but Big Red's main representation is the Hill. For those of you who don't know, Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The campus itself is located on a huge hill. The freshman 15 does not exist at WKU because we are constantly hauling our backpacks up and down the hill.
2. Has that always been WKU's mascot?
No, Big Red has only been the mascot since 1979. Big Red's date of birth is Sept. 21, 1979 (Happy 36th Birthday Big Red!). Big Red celebrates, however, on Dec. 1. The mascots that came before him are irrelevant in comparison to our fabulous mascot.
3. Who invented this amazing mascot?
A senior business major named Ralph Carey who had worked at King's Island Amusement Park in the live shows department was asked to come up with an idea. After a few ideas hit the trash can, he came up with this marvelous sketch of a big, red fuzzy blob-like thing with a mouth that can easily swallow adoring fans' heads with ease while holding a non-stop smile.
4. How was Big Red introduced to the Hilltoppers?
On Dec. 1, 1979, at the very first home basketball game of the 1979-1980 season just before the teams went back into their locker rooms for strategy planning, Santa Claus called head coach Gene Keady to center court. Santa Claus wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and Big Red was introduced for the first time.
5. Is Big Red a boy or a girl?
No one knows. No one will ever know. Big Red is just... Big Red.
6. What does Big Red do?
Well, Big Red eats objects (people included) with its mouth, shakes his junk like there's no tomorrow and pumps up the fans of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. One can't help but smile when they see Big Red at the games.
7. Why is Big Red so awesome?
No words could accurately describe why Big Red is so awesome. Big Red can be seen not only at sporting events, but also in many different classrooms, riding around on a scooter, in the gym working on its fitness or just walking around campus.
8. Who is in the Big Red mascot outfit?
No one knows exactly who Big Red is other than the people that are lucky enough to sport the mascot costume. During graduation Big Red mascots can be spotted by the red glove they wear on their hand. If you're ever lucky enough to be able to sit next to a Big Red, thank the stars above and tell that individual, "
Thank you for making college such an amazing experience."
9. Why is Big Red red?
Big Red is a symbol of Western Kentucky University and is red because of the red towel that Hilltopper fans are notorious for waving at games.
10. What do the students think about Big Red?
Basically, if you graduate from Western Kentucky University and you have never been eaten or danced on by Big Red, then you obviously didn't do college right.
