A History of Northeastern University's Mascots: From King Husky to Paws
Northeastern University's mascot has a rich and evolving history, reflecting the changing times and the enduring spirit of the university. From live Siberian Huskies to costumed characters, the mascots have served as symbols of school pride, embodying the qualities of loyalty, strength, and determination that Northeastern seeks to instill in its students.
The Era of Live Mascots: King Husky and His Successors
The story begins in 1927 when Northeastern adopted its first live mascot, a Siberian Husky named King Husky I. This decision followed a growing movement to find a suitable symbol for school spirit, as animal mascots were popular during the 1920s. The selection of a husky was particularly inspired by the heroic delivery of diphtheria antitoxin serum by dog sled across Alaska.
King Husky I arrived at Boston's North Station on March 4, 1927, after being transported from Alaska by Leonhard Seppala, a renowned musher from the serum run. The university canceled classes for the afternoon, and a parade escorted the husky to campus, where he was presented by President Frank Speare and crowned as King Husky. The event was met with great enthusiasm, with over 1,000 students welcoming the new mascot.
The university even created an ode for King Husky, celebrating his courage and noble character.
Following King Husky I's death in 1941, Northeastern established a 20-year relationship with Chinook Kennels in Wonalancet, New Hampshire, which provided the university with its next seven mascots. King Husky II, the first mascot acquired from Chinook Kennels, came from a line of sled and exploration dogs.
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However, the era of live mascots was not without its challenges. In the summer of 1955, King Husky III fell ill and was euthanized, leading to controversy when the university delayed releasing information about his death. This sparked outrage among students and led to the resignation of student newspaper editors who felt the administration was covering up the incident.
After the kennel closed in 1958, the administration decided to commission a husky statue rather than continue the tradition of live mascots.
Despite the challenges, the tradition of live mascots was revived in 1970 by the class of 1970, who purchased and trained a husky named King Husky V. After his departure, Queen Husky II became the school's mascot, followed by her son, King Husky VI, in 1972. Sadly, King Husky VI escaped from his kennel and was struck by a vehicle just two months later.
In 2005, Northeastern again looked to return to its tradition of having a live mascot. Margaret Cook, a 1964 graduate of the university’s liberal arts program and breeder of Siberian Huskies at Teeco Kennels in Easton, Massachusetts, answered the call. Three of Cook’s huskies have worn the crown since 2005. The current king, called Moses, frequently makes appearances on campus.
The Transition to Costumed Mascots: Mr. and Mrs. Husky
In 1959, the university began holding an annual competition to name "Mr. Husky," a male student who would wear a husky costume to sporting events. In later years, a female student was also named "Mrs. Husky." While the naming of Mr. and Mrs. Husky continued as a tradition, the role of the primary mascot shifted with the introduction of Paws.
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The Modern Era: Paws Takes Center Stage
In the fall of 2003, Northeastern introduced Paws, a new costumed mascot designed to replace Mr. and Mrs. Husky. According to Dave O'Brien, Northeastern's athletics director, students wanted a mascot that would showcase the energy, enthusiasm, and passion of the student body.
Paws quickly became a beloved figure on campus, known for his enthusiastic participation in sporting events and his engagement with students and the community. Paws embodies the spirit of Northeastern. He high-fives, flirts, and hugs the crowd, creates a unifying presence, and ensures that everyone, even rivals, has a good time.
Paws' popularity has grown in recent years, thanks to social media and increased visibility around campus. Paws embraces pop culture, with a wardrobe that includes hockey jerseys, basketball attire, and even a business suit. The Paws team considers the mascot to be gender nonbinary, and his wardrobe reflects this.
Paws' personality adapts to different venues, but major hockey games are when he truly shines. He is always respectful and avoids stealing, but his interests extend beyond sports. Paws enjoys dance, Taylor Swift, and #experientiallearning.
Paws' social media presence has further enhanced his popularity, with dance videos and meme responses garnering millions of views. A video of Paws dancing to Rihanna's "Rude Boy" with the Northeastern Dance team has been his most popular to date, with over 2 million views.
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In addition to sporting events, Paws can be found all over campus, handing out roses on Valentine's Day, interacting with students in the dining hall, and even posing with volunteers distributing free Narcan.
Paws is celebrating his 20th season as a member of Northeastern Athletics and embarking on a “Paws World Tour” around Northeastern’s global network of campuses.
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