The Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves are celebrating a special anniversary today. 20 years ago during the Homecoming football game, NWU athletic teams became known as the Prairie Wolves.
Lincoln Mayor Don Wesley announced the new Nebraska Wesleyan mascot to the homecoming crowd on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2000. A large container was brought to the center of the football field. Inside the box was the inflatable Prairie Wolf mascot which emerged through the box to unveil itself.
The Lincoln community had been buzzing with speculation about its identity. Over 700 NWU Alumni community members participated in an online survey. The faculty and staff and most importantly, the students, also gave their input. Nebraska Wesleyan chose the mascot name of Prairie Wolves because it was a synonym to the prior Nebraska Wesleyan mascot-the coyote-which is part of the NWU tradition and is indigenous to the region. Most importantly, the Prairie Wolf mascot, like the NWU community itself, is truly unique with no other colleges having the same name.
It was during halftime of the Nebraska Wesleyan-Doane football game that the presentation took place. NWU went into the locker room known as the Plainsmen, then emerged as the Prairie Wolves. Head Coach Brian Keller unveiled the new mascot to the football team in the locker room by showcasing a T-shirt with the Prairie Wolf logo.
To cap off the exciting day on campus, the newly named Prairie Wolves football team would upset arch-rival Doane College 22-18 on the football field. NWU held off #11 Doane for the victory which then propelled them on to win the 2000 Great Plains Athletic Conference Championship and earn a spot in the NAIA Playoffs.
