By Megan Jicha
Northeastern’s new symbol of school spirit is a real dog. A live Siberian Husky, that is.
To bring back an old tradition, Northeastern has adopted a Husky pup as the red and black’s mascot. The university has had about seven live Husky mascots, all named King, throughout the school’s history, said Emily Donahue, manager of communication and special projects in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
“The homecoming committee decided to try and reintroduce old- school traditions that died out years ago, by acquiring a live Husky mascot,” Donahue said. “After the seventh King Husky, they just never got another one. To replace the live mascot, the university put the bronze Husky statue in Ell Hall.”
In spring 2005, Donahue contacted Northeastern alumni Margaret Cook, who has been raising Siberian Huskies for 38 years in Eastern Massachusetts. After deciding to get the Husky from Cook, the specific dog had to be selected.
“I gave the university a bunch of choices. I e-mailed them pictures and facts about various different Huskies … I believe that this Husky was chosen because he has a very traditional look: blue eyes, black and white coat, and specific markings,” said Cook, King Husky’s breeder and trainer.
King, who is seven months old, has begun and will continue to receive training. He is already certified by the American Kennel Club and has received training for “walking, obedience, greeting people, being in public, and getting used to loud and sudden noises,” Cook said.
By receiving such training, King can fulfill his duties as mascot. Those obligations are more than just looking pretty, however.
As mascot, King will attend football and hockey games and other major events at the university. This past weekend, King led the parade with the “Mayor of Huntington Avenue,” senior political science major Heidi Buchanan. King was also around for the carnival and attended the football game at Parsons Field, Donahue said.
King’s arrival on campus generated quite a stir, Donahue said.
“All of the response to King has been great. All of the students seem to love him. We are very excited about King,” Donahue said.
Nathan Hackmeister, a freshman engineering major, shares the same enthusiasm as Donahue.
“Having both Paws and King as mascots is great. One can dance around to excite the crowds, while the other attracts attention and develops excitement by representing a real Husky and being [petted] by people,” Hackmeister said.
The university hopes this King Husky will remain the mascot for its whole life, Donahue said. However busy this may make his life, “King truly enjoys being mascot. He loves the attention and treats he gets from people,” Cook said.
