ACU will have auditions to decide who is best fit to be the next Willie the Wildcat.

Willie the Wildcat is the ACU mascot that cheers and rallies the crowd at many university events and is a well-known figure that gains the attention of ACU’s current students, alumni and prospective students at many different events on campus.

The wildcat can be spotted dancing at football games, posing for photos at campus tours and defeating bats at basketball games in Moody Coliseum.

“Willie represents school spirit and is here to help bring us together as a community,” said current mascot Katie Gibson, junior pre-athletic training major from Aspermont. “Willie is a huge deal here at ACU because he is at all home games and is a primary representative of this school.”

Gibson will retire from her position when she graduates in May 2017 after three years as Willie, and seven years as a mascot total. She is looking for someone to assist her in her final year as Willie and to pass the torch to after she graduates.

In order to become the wildcat, school spirit and a flexible schedule are necessary. The job of the mascot is to entertain the crowd and keep it energetic during the games.

“The mascot provides unison for the university,” said Hayden Farquhar, freshman accounting major from Throckmorton and men’s basketball player. “Without the mascot, we will be broken. It’s a representation of our school.”

The tryouts will take place April 16. Requirements include a schedule that permits enough spare time to attend many events, school spirit and a prepared skit.

“[In order to be the mascot] they need to have an awesome skit prepared for tryouts and loads of school spirit,” Gibson said.

For more information or to sign up for a tryout time contact Katie Gibson by email at kag13b@acu.edu.