NSU mascot makes first appearance

Hundreds of returning and incoming Nicholls students gathered in the university quad to welcome back a new and improved old friend.

An updated version of Colonel Tillou, the university’s costumed mascot, introduced himself to an approving Nicholls community at the annual Welcome Back Day festival last Thursday.

The bearded, gray-suited Confederate colonel mascot costume caricature introduced in 1962 and retired in 2004 by University President Stephen Hulbert has been replaced with a seven-foot, clean-shaven, squared-jaw colonel wearing a red uniform, black officer’s cap and sheathed saber.

“I’m pretty impressed,” said nursing student Jacob Hernandez. “He’s big, got some muscles. It’s a cool look.”

Col. Tillou will return to the sidelines of Nicholls athletic events beginning with the Colonels football home debut on Sept. 12 against the Duquesne Dukes.

Nicholls athletes seemed thrilled to have Tillou back to cheer them on during contests.

“I’m just glad we finally have a mascot. It will encourage the fans to get involved and bring more spirit to the school,” said Tori Lay, sophomore third baseman for the Lady Colonels softball team. “He’s going to pump fans up. I want to see him run around in the crowds and get crazy.”

When the university released the new Colonels logo, with a similarly dressed Tillou wielding his sword last month, it got mixed reviews.

Some compared the two-dimensional image to a 1930s Nazi or Soviet solider. Attendees at the unveiling ceremony did not appear to find the three-dimensional version objectionable.

“He’s just a mascot. I think it’s cool,” Lay said.

“I wasn’t paying attention to the controversy. There’s always somebody who’s going to be offended no matter what it looked like,” Hernandez said.

Dr. Eugene Dial, associate professor of education and vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, blamed the early controversy on people forming their opinions based on the university revealing only snippets of the new Tillou rather than all at once.

“Most people finally realize that the costume is much different from the decal,” he said. “The mascot has a tougher appearance but it’s not menacing or threatening.”

Col. Tillou will not only be the face of Nicholls at athletic events, according to Dial. He will also be seen at parades, festivals, university functions and other public events.

Nicholls merchandise with the new Col. Tillou mascot image will begin appearing at local retailers sometime this month, according to university bookstore manager Angelle Caillouet.

She hopes to have items available before the Colonels’ football home opener.

Sales of shirts and caps with the new Colonel logo have been brisk, Caillouet said, although figures are hard to judge since the school year began later than usual.

“We seem to be busier, longer this year than we were last year,” she said. “The marks will be just as popular as the previous ones.”

Besides apparel, the new Nicholls logos can soon be found on blankets, throws, sports bottles, school supplies and more.

“We’re going to test the market and put it on as many items as possible,” she said

Nicholls contracted Ohio-based mascot design company Rickabaugh Graphics in June 2008 to develop new athletics logos and the Colonel image for almost $20,000.

Over a five-month period, Rickabaugh conducted university focus groups composed of community members, Nicholls students, alumni, faculty and staff seeking input.

Once the new mascot was chosen, the university paid over $10,000 for the costume.

After a five-year absence and a $30,000 makeover, the Col. Tillou mascot returned to the Nicholls campus last Thursday. The new Tillou will be the face of the university at sporting and public events around Thibodaux. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF