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Unveiled in '79, Big Red a WKU icon



University's fuzzy, red blob has garnered national, international attention from home on the Hill

By Chad Bishop, Bowling Green Daily News
Reprinted from Sept. 14, 2012

It has become more than a mascot.

Big Red, Western Kentucky University's amorphous, ambiguous, ase#ual and always lovable representative of the school's athletics, has spent more than 30 years rising to an unimaginable state of popularity and national - sometimes global - recognition.

What is it? Where did it come from? And what in the world is it doing? Such are the questions echoed by many who come into contact with the furry red specimen who delights crowds with dances and hijinks.

From appearances on "The Ellen Degeneres Show," "Deal or No Deal" and commercials for ESPN's "SportsCenter," to consistently making top 10 lists of all sorts, even to being involved in an international lawsuit - Big Red's legacy continues to grow.

Carey's creation

In the fall of 1979, Western Kentucky athletics was searching for a mascot.

Sure, there was the popular red towel adorning fans and uniforms and other paraphernalia, but WKU wanted something a little more personable.

"When they first said they were looking, I had no preconceived notions of anything," said Ralph Carey, Big Red's creator. "I knew that mascots were problematic - I had some awareness of other mascots. Part of the issue was branding and creating something unique and identifiable as a Western-only icon."

At a time when the San Diego Chicken - then pacing the stands during San Diego Padres games - was popular, Carey said he knew he couldn't create the Western Kentucky Chicken, but wanted something along the same lines.

It couldn't be an animal, and Carey said he wanted to stray as far away from a hillbilly stereotype as possible.
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