History of the JWU Mascot

Wildcat Willie is a strong presence on JWU's four campuses; however, his youthful appearance is misleading.

Wildcat Willie, JWU's beloved mascot, was born in the 1960s when the institution was a junior college. Although the athletic department was limited, the basketball team, coached by Jack Yena (now chairman of the board emeritus) won the NJCAA regional championship and competed in the national tournament. Athletic success was short lived when the Board of Directors voted to eliminate the program in the early 1970s.

A resurgence of athletic interest returned in the early 1990s, and with it came a new mascot: the Griffin, a mythological figure thought to be part of the university seal. Later it was discovered that it was not true.

In 1996, JWU became a member of the NCAA division III, and the successful program we know today was underway. The Griffin remained the mascot until a movement by the entire JWU community succeeded in restoring the original wildcat as mascot in 1997. The Wildcats were back.

Today, the Wildcat has a new updated look inspired by a design submitted by Devon Tsinzo '15, Graphic Design and Digital Media major from the Providence Campus through a universitywide mascot design contest. Willie can be found cheering on student-athletes at all four JWU campuses. Thanks to Willie, the Wildcat spirit has never been stronger.

Quoted from Inside Providence, November 2013