Weber State’s beloved mascot Waldo turns 60
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University wishes Waldo the Wildcat, the university’s fuzzy, spirited mascot, a happy 60th anniversary since his first known appearance.
The earliest reference, according to WSU Special Collections & University Archives, appeared in a 1964 Signpost student newspaper T-shirt ad. To create the character, the Athletics Department approached the late Dean Hurst, who became Weber’s first executive director of Alumni Relations. The name Waldo was chosen by athletic director Gary Crompton.
“Waldo took off,” said Dean Hurst’s daughter, Karin Hurst. “He’s lovable, he’s spunky, he’s kind of irreverent, he’s sassy, and I think he became more than a mascot; he became a symbol of Weber State.”
Dean Hurst’s art included Waldo taking on other team mascots like the Idaho “Vandal” and Northern Arizona “Lumberjack.” His art also helped promote a variety of campus programs, such as the Rodeo Club and International Club.
Weber became a four-year baccalaureate institution during the 1962–63 academic year and changed its name to Weber State College the following year. Waldo helped the university rebrand itself to the public in the years following the transition.
While WSU Athletics now uses a fiercer wildcat image in its branding, Waldo continues to appear for sporting events in person. Waldo illustrations are still used for Alumni Association and marketing for the university.
According to Special Collections & University Archives, an official costumed Waldo was introduced in March 1968 at a basketball game in Montana. Waldo’s purpose was to promote “enthusiasm and spirit at athletic events.”
Joseph Limb, a 2021 electrical engineering graduate, performed as Waldo at Spirit Squad competitions and other events during his eight years at WSU.
While the Waldo costume has changed a number of times throughout the decades, his popularity among the WSU community has remained consistent. Limb even recalls fans cheering for him after initially receiving boos at away games for Weber State’s football and basketball teams.
“By the end of the game, I could get them to cheer as I tumbled and did flips like no other mascot they had seen before,” he said. “It was always a blast winning over fans from other schools and hearing them start cheering for Weber State.”
As Waldo, Limb won the National Mascot Championship in 2015, 2018 and 2019.
Waldo is not the only WSU mascot. Special Collections & University Archives provided the following facts regarding past university mascots:
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A 1953 Homecoming football game photo includes the first record of someone dressing up as a mascot
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A mascot also appeared at events in the 1963–1964 school year
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In the 1960s and 70s, Weber had a live wildcat, also named Waldo, as a mascot
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In December 1979, the short-lived Primo the Peacock was introduced at a basketball game
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In fall 1995, a mascot named The Cat made its first appearance and was officially retired in 2000
None, however, have had Waldo’s staying power.
“A cat has nine lives,” Karin Hurst said. “I don’t think Waldo’s ever going to die.”
Jaime Winston, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7396, jaimewinston@weber.edu- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu