SLU freshman Carolina Lopez told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the mascot looked like, “A mutated frog.”
The Post-Dispatch said Pestello’s trip to the zoo was to “reach out to some friendlier looking creatures … for tips on how to make the school’s mascot less nightmarish.”
When the backlash began two weeks ago, Pestello responded with playful and friendly tweets on Twitter before going quiet and making today’s announcement. Pestello pretended to interview cute animals at the zoo, looking for advice before he said, “I thinkI know what we need to do now. Stay tuned.” The video was a hit on Twitter.
The redesign was the first in 20 years for the university. The Billiken mascot is based by a charm doll created by artist Florence, Pretz, a Missouri native. To buy one or to be given one was to receive good luck. The doll became famous worldwide and became the school’s mascot because of its resemblance to former coach John R. Bender. The doll had a mischevious smile, Spock-like ears and a chubby body.
Twitter reacted accordingly, from one user: “Hopefully we can let small children visit SLU without scaring them.”
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