Herbie Husker
Encyclopedia
Herbie Husker is the oldest current mascot
of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's sports teams. Herbie was created by Lubbock, Texas
, artist Dirk West
and first appeared on the cover of the Husker's media guide in 1974
. Soon after, he became the university's official mascot.
Herbie has gone through a few makeovers, the most recent coming before the 2003 college football
season. Until 2003 he was dressed in denim overalls, a red cowboy hat emblazoned with a large N, and has an ear of corn in his pocket. After the 2003 makeover, he now dons a red cowboy hat, red workshirt, blue jeans and workboots. This was done to update the overall appearance of the state's agricultural workers and general public. During halftime of the 2006 Capital One Bowl, Herbie was named National Mascot of the year for 2005.
In January 2005, Herbie starred in his own children's book, Hello, Herbie Husker!, published by Mascot Books
.
There are currently two students who put on the Herbie costume.
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's sports teams. Herbie was created by Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, artist Dirk West
Dirk West
Gerald Glynn "Dirk" West was an editorial cartoonist and journalist from Lubbock, Texas most famous for his caricatures of collegiate mascots. He was born in Littlefield, Texas but his family moved to Lubbock soon after. He attended Texas Tech University where he drew cartoons for The University...
and first appeared on the cover of the Husker's media guide in 1974
1974 in sports
1974 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Piero Gros, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Pröll, Austria-American football:...
. Soon after, he became the university's official mascot.
Herbie has gone through a few makeovers, the most recent coming before the 2003 college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
season. Until 2003 he was dressed in denim overalls, a red cowboy hat emblazoned with a large N, and has an ear of corn in his pocket. After the 2003 makeover, he now dons a red cowboy hat, red workshirt, blue jeans and workboots. This was done to update the overall appearance of the state's agricultural workers and general public. During halftime of the 2006 Capital One Bowl, Herbie was named National Mascot of the year for 2005.
In January 2005, Herbie starred in his own children's book, Hello, Herbie Husker!, published by Mascot Books
Mascot Books
Mascot Books is the largest publisher of licensed children’s sports books in America. Based in Herndon, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., Mascot Books creates children’s books for professional teams, colleges, and even elementary schools...
.