MTU Celebrates Mascot Milestone

Three cheers for 50 years of cheering for Michigan Tech’s beloved leader and proud Huskies fans, the giver of hugs and high fives and the recipient of constant support from dedicated alumni.

Johnny Mac was roaring on the first Saturday night in August. Michigan Tech University’s alumni reunion hockey game always draws a crowd to the arena, but this was a special occasion: the 50th birthday party for Blizzard T. Huskies.

Blizzard is not yet 50 years old, technically, but it continues the spirit of the first mascots of the tech that first started 50 years ago. So it was only fitting that VIPs in attendance to celebrate this milestone included original mascots, 1971 graduates Bill and Kathy Wasberg, and mascot program supporters Dave ’68 ’71 and Sharon Parris.

Since the birth of Husky’s four-toed furry friend on January 31, 1997, the Parisians have been Blizzard T. Husky’s assistants. Longtime Tech Donors, helped with the naming contest (the other options were Harley, Hecky, Howie, and Yoppy). Seeing their niece perform as a Ferris State Bulldog inspired them to support the mascot program. “We’ve seen how hard he works,” said Sharon, who has worked at the university for nearly 30 years.

“It’s not just walking around. It takes personality and patience. Blizzard plays an important role and is present on campus in many ways.”Sharon Parris, MTU Mascot Program Donor

“It’s always great to see Blizzard reaching out to young people,” said Dave. And even though it’s 350 in dog years, “Blizzard stays young.”

But who came before Blizzard?

Many unofficial councils. Or “a mouse and a bat and a pollywog tail,” as original mascot Bill Wasberg playfully put it. He and his wife, Kathy, were the first officially licensed tech mascots to take the snow. They cooked up the mascot idea for very simple reasons: They thought they deserved a nationally recognized college hockey powerhouse. And, by recently allowing secured student loans to stop working, they had time. “We were bored,” Bill joked. Legendary hockey coach John McInnes had no objections until they left the ice after warmups.

The mascot gig was a team act. Bill is dressed in a wrinkled bear costume of unknown origin, resurrected from his shorts. “It was really bad because he wouldn’t let Cathy in the house,” he said. Cathy made a mouse costume by adapting a clown costume design that she installed with a handmade papier-mache head. He also finally got the unforgettable aroma of a hockey locker room. They didn’t have a mascot name. They were simply a bear and a mouse.

Many of today’s blizzards can skate circles around the rink (see Blizzard’s smooth moves at Michigan Tech’s Tic Toc). Neither Wasberg was skilled on the ice. “The audience thought we were faking our bad skiing—but we didn’t know how,” says Bill.

There are few notes of both mascots. Despite years of requests, only two photos have been found. The bear’s clothes had to be thrown out because of the bad smell. A mouse suit, stored in the attic of Wasburg, had the odd chance of falling off prematurely – mice had chewed off its head.

There was no formal support for the bride in those days. Bill thanked the late Bob Olson, the original voice of Michigan Tech athletics, former Michigan Tech president Glenn Maroz and his wife Gail, and others for lending a helping hand. Today, support from contributors like Paris ensures that students who show up to Blizzard don’t have to pass a punishing dog costume back and forth. The investment, the Huskies who created and support the program say, is well worth it.

“It’s the best outreach program out there. The lever doesn’t have to say anything.”Bill Wasberg, Michigan Tech’s original co-mascot

True to form, Blizzard remained tight-lipped at the party, but it was still the center of attention, managing to convey both celebration and admiration effectively. The giant husky, wearing the number 85 jersey, wandered through the crowd, posing for endless selfies. Smiles lingered after each photo was taken. The Parises and Wassbergs got a kick out of watching the action — and getting their own photos from Blizzard.

There’s no spirit like the spirit of Michigan Tech.

“We have the perfect trifecta at Michigan Tech,” Athletic Director Susan Sanregret said in remarks at the celebration. “Blizzard, Mitch’s Misfits and the Huskies Pep Band, these spirit groups mean so much to our student-athletes and staff.

They are our true supporters. Blizzard gives us a hug, win or lose. The pep band is pure talent and creativity – so good that our opponents want to hire them. They are original that no one in the country can repeat. And no one screams louder than the Misfits. When we come to play, our opponents must go into a roar of joy.

The unique contributions of Michigan Tech’s spirit teams to the university were documented in the 1970 book by alumnus Bill Sproul, “100 Years of Michigan Tech Hockey.” “They have Chapter 14 all to themselves,” Sanregret said.

The most crowded Husky on the MTU campus

The mascot’s home office — which Sanregret refers to as “Blizzard Central” — is Michigan Tech Athletics. It takes three people to manage the popular puppy calendar. “Blizzard is famous, but it’s very mysterious,” says Sanregret. We don’t know who you are until you graduate. Past blizzards at Saturday’s party raised their support for a round of applause. Ex-pep band members cheered. The crowd had even more applause for the Misfits and Tim Braun ’04, who formed the popular student cheering section found in Section L at all home games.

As the photo session with the couple wrapped up, the old hockey Huskies took to the ice for Michigan Tech’s hockey centennial alumni game. Katie Wasberg looked on from the stands with a smile, as she warmed up to goaltender Darcy Way around the net. No one was on the ice in Katy’s era, but familiar names and faces carry over from class years. Once a Husky, always a Husky.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, with more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country with a return on investment, the university offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is located miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.