Lil' Red
{{Short description|Mascot of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln}}
{{Infobox mascot
| name = Lil' Red
| image = Nulilred.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Lil' Red in 2007
| university = University of Nebraska–Lincoln
| conference = Big Ten
| description = Inflatable farm boy in red overalls
| name_origin = Contest
| first_seen = {{start date and age|1993}}
| related_mascots = Herbie Husker
| website = [https://huskers.com/nebraska-spirit-squad/mascots Lil' Red]
| hall_of_fame = 2007
}}
Lil' Red is one of two active mascots of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was created in 1993, initially intended to represent the school's volleyball team and appeal to younger fans. Lil' Red quickly became popular and his use was expanded across all sports. He is depicted as an inflatable farm boy wearing red overalls and a sideways hat, and is often seen with Herbie Husker.
Earlier mascots
The University of Nebraska used many unofficial mascots in its early decades, most often a variation of an anthropomorphic ear of corn named Cornhead Guy, Johnnie Husker, or Old Man Cornhusker.{{cite web|url=https://nptelegraph.com/photos-husker-mascots-past-and-present/collection_51246ca6-5178-5aa4-ad29-0440c0512479.html#2|title=Photos: Husker mascots, past and present|publisher=The North Platte Telegraph|date=9 September 2019|access-date=20 February 2025}} The earliest mascot to appear on the sideline (not just as a logo) was Corncob Man, a man in green overalls with an ear of corn for a head who debuted in 1955. Husky the Husker (a ten-foot-tall farmer) and Mr. Big Red (a man in a blazer commonly referred to as Harry Husker) gave way to Herbie Husker in 1974.{{cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/lil-reds-forebears-the-history-of-nebraskas-on-field-mascots/collection_0ee22851-d6e8-544d-a2a3-d44647310079.html|title=Lil' Red's forebears: The history of Nebraska's on-field mascots|publisher=Lincoln Journal Star|date=30 August 2008|access-date=17 March 2022}} Herbie became the school's first official mascot in 1977.
History
Lil' Red was created in 1993 after a statewide contest to find a counterpart for Herbie Husker to appear during simultaneous football, basketball, or volleyball games. Associate athletic director Barbara Hibner led the contest, hoping a second, more precocious mascot would appeal to younger fans. Lil' Red quickly became so popular that the university discontinued the use of Herbie in 1995, though he was later reinstated.{{cite web|url=https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/how-white-supremacy-changed-herbie-husker/|title=How White Supremacy Changed Herbie Husker|author=Jordan Pascale|publisher=Nebraska Public Media|date=29 January 2022|access-date=20 February 2025}} The mascots are now frequently seen together across all sports. Nebraska says Herbie and Lil' Red are not intended to be related, but describes them as "best friends."
The mascot is manufactured by Omaha-based Signs & Shapes International, Inc. The operator of the costume wears a belt with an attached air circulation system, which brings in over {{convert|100|cuft|m3}} of outside air per minute. Due to the outfit's incredibly light weight, the larger-than-life mascot can run, dance, shake hands, and crowd surf. Lil' Red is frequently seen bouncing on his head, a stunt that requires the wearer to maneuver the costume into an upside-down position while inside.{{cite web|url=https://www.huskeralum.org/s/1620/social.aspx?sid=1620&gid=1&pgid=1586|title=All Hail Herbie|author=Andrew Stewart|website=Nebraska Alumni Association|date=11 December 2021|access-date=21 February 2025}}
=Appearance=
Awards and popular culture
Lil' Red won the national championship at the NCAA National Mascot Competition in 1999. He received the "Golden Silly String Award" as an inductee into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://huskers.com/news/2007/09/15/lil-red-earns-official-invite-to-mascot-hall|title=Lil' Red earns official invite to mascot hall|website=Nebraska Athletics|date=15 September 2007|access-date=21 February 2025}}
Lil' Red starred in a children's book, The Legend of Lil' Red, written by Paul Rea and published by Husker Books in August 2008.{{cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/news/local/after-10-years-lil-red-childrens-book-still-reaching-young-husker-fans/article_909a0573-8ad2-5112-8626-46506e90b528.html|title=After 10 years, Lil' Red children's book still reaching young Husker fans
|author=Collin Spilinek|website=Omaha World-Herald|date=29 September 2018|access-date=22 February 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Nebraska Cornhuskers football navbox}}
{{Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball navbox}}
{{University of Nebraska–Lincoln}}
{{Big Ten Mascots}}
Category:Big Ten Conference mascots