By Erin Furman
During Homecoming week, the University’s beloved mascots were retired.
And replaced.
Designs for the new and improved Kate and Willy have been in the works since March 2007. According to Samantha Rozakis, the Spirit Support Graduate Assistant, mascot costumes are generally replaced every three to four years because they become “worn.” Updating the mascots also gives Spirit Support the opportunity to make changes to the costumes so that they better reflect the character of the community. “It’s nice to see the school is trying to change for the better,” said Danny Shea, a junior Geography major. “It’s a good place to start.”
For instance, Kate and Willy now sport the University’s new logo, the italicized “H.” They are also made out of a lightweight fabric, which will allow for more movement in future competitions. “The goal ultimately is to have them compete at nationals with the cheer and dance team,” said Rozakis.
Tyler Greenpope, a student mascot who has worn both the old mascot suit and the new one, says the new costumes are more breathable. “The old costumes were very heavy and you had to look out of the mouth. With the new costumes, you are actually looking out the eyes.”
With the way the old Kate and Willy were constructed, students needed help putting the suits on. The heads were attached to shoulder straps, so if Kate or Willy overheated during an event, the entire outfit would have had to be removed just to get the head off. “They can dress themselves now,” said Rozakis. The heads are also attached using a chinstrap, so if needed they can be removed at a moment’s notice with ease.
Another big difference in the construction of the new mascot costumes is Willy’s muscles. The old Willy’s muscles were sewn into the suit, making it bulky and hard to maneuver. Now, the muscles are not built-in, and XXL shirts can fit over the lion body. Before, it was difficult if not impossible to put a different outfit over the mascots’ normal clothes.
Keen observers may also note that Kate and Willy no longer wear crowns. Or capes. And Kate now has a skirt.
They look younger, but that was actually not intentional. “It’s all in the eyes,” said Rozakis. “The noses are actually the same.”
When asked, several students noted that the “hipper-looking” mascots seemed to be a part of the University’s efforts to update its image. But whether or not sexier mascots are a good thing is debatable.
“Hofstra is trying to re-shape the image of the University, making it look younger and hipper,” said Amanda O’Rourke, a senior public relations major. “But the new changes seem almost juvenile.”
Kelly Goldberg, a senior anthropology major, agrees. “I just don’t feel like they’re a step in the right direction,” said Goldberg. “If Hofstra is trying to inspire a feeling of camaraderie and tradition among its student population, making icons younger and hipper does not seem like a way to achieve positive results.”
Other students approved of the change to the new mascots. “It’s like Kate and Willy had babies,” said Nakia Neff, a sophomore broadcast journalism major. “They’re the prince and princess of Hofstra.”
Sketches of the new mascot costumes bounced back and forth between the University and Stagecraft Inc., a company that specializes in designing character and mascot costumes, for over two and a half months. “We had to make sure everybody liked it before we sent the [final] design out,” said Rozakis.
Finally, what were mere sketches were brought to life during the summer months. By mid-August, Spirit Support had received the new costumes, but according to Rozakis they “decided to unveil them at Homecoming.” Without announcing the retirement of the old Kate and Willy, there was a certain element of surprise that got the campus talking.
“Everyone asks me what I’m doing with the old mascots,” said Rozakis. “I tell them no, we’re not selling them on eBay.”