Louie the Lumberjack
Did you know that Louie the Lumberjack was named in 1988, or that he was named after the song "Louie Louie" which was popularized by The Kingmen in 1963. NAU's beloved bearded mascot has gone through many adaptations through his history. The lumberjack as a school mascot dates from to the early 20th century, when NAU was still a normal school in the 1910s. In 1964, the Arizona State Legislature made the lumberjack the official college mascot (at the same time blue and gold became the established school colors). It was not until 1986 that a lumberjack mascot showed up to sporting events and 1988 that NAU had an official costumed mascot with a full head. Since then, Louie has gone through several variations and representations, but he has come to represent NAU students and athletics.
Louie the Lumberjack
Timeline: 1964 to Present
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1964
The lumberjack is made the official ASC mascot.
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1965
The bronze lumberjack statue is created and placed outside of the bookstore.
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1968
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1973
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1974
Two giant lumberjack statues are donated by the Lumberjack Cafe to NAU. They are placed in Lumberjack Stadium.
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1979
The two large lumberjack statues are moved to the Skydome.
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1981
The Lumberjack, mascot of the now-defunct KCLS radio station, shows up at basketball and football games. The popularity of the mascot encourages NAU to consider their own lumberjack mascot.
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September 1985
The first appearance of a mascot at NAU games. The person playing the lumberjack had to wear 3ft 6in stilts. Shortly after, NAU held a contest to name the new mascot. The name "Bad Axe" won.
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1987
NAU held a contest to design the new lumberjack motif, but did not like any of the entries. This motif was finally created as the new "official" lumberjack mascot.
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1988
The Louie the Lumberjack mascot appears for the first time. The costume cost $1,800 and was named after the popular song, "Louie, Louie."
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1991
NAU introduces a "leaner, meaner" mascot.
High winds blow the head off the lumberjack statue outside the Skydome.
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1992
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1994
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2003
An angry Louie logo, not affiliated with NAU, appears on merchandise. President Haeger begins to address NAU logos and motifs rebranding.
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March 2004
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October 2004
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2005
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2010
NAU retired the "mean" Louie mascot and introduced a new one, described as "hipster" as some students.
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2014
