delgadosandovals@lopers.unk.edu

In a surprise move that left the UNK community buzzing with excitement, the beloved mascot Louie the Loper emerged with a fresh appearance at the Intramural March Madness Bracket event. Sporting a new look, a revamped style and a brand-new costume, Louie made a grand entrance, capturing the attention of students and faculty alike.

Cheers erupted across campus as Louie stepped out from behind the curtains at the event. The familiar figure was hardly recognizable in the revamped attire, showcasing vibrant colors and a modern design that drew gasps of amazement from onlookers.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Louie today,” said Sarah Collins, a junior physics major. “It’s like seeing an old friend with a brand-new makeover. It’s a fantastic surprise and I believe it was high time that he changed his look a bit. I don’t know, the old one kind of creeped me out. I think everyone needs something fun like this to lift our spirits.”

The transformation of Louie the Loper was kept tightly under wraps until the big reveal. Speculations ran wild among students in the weeks leading up to the event. However, the unveiling of Louie’s new appearance exceeded all expectations, proving to be a delightful surprise for the UNK community.

Louie revealed the inspiration behind the makeover. 

“I wanted to inject some fresh energy into my role as the University mascot,” Louie said. “This seemed like the perfect opportunity to shake things up and bring a new level of excitement to campus.”

The meticulous planning behind Louie’s transformation involved collaboration between UNK’s Student Government, the athletics department and the mascot’s design team. Months of brainstorming, designing and fine-tuning culminated in the reveal, sparking a wave of enthusiasm and anticipation among students.

“I had the privilege of working closely with Louie’s design team to bring this vision to life,” said Emily Brown, a senior studying graphic design and member of the mascot redesign committee. “We wanted to retain the essence of Louie’s character while infusing a modern twist that reflects UNK’s dynamic spirit.”

The reaction from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing admiration for the attention to detail and creativity evident in Louie’s new appearance.

“Louie’s makeover is a breath of fresh air for our campus,” said Tyler Johnson, a sophomore psychology major. “It’s evident that a lot of thought and effort went into this redesign, and it truly paid off. I can’t wait to see Louie cheering on our teams in style.”

Amidst the excitement surrounding Louie’s transformation, UNK’s staff emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of community and joy, especially during challenging times.

“Events like these remind us of the importance of laughter, camaraderie and the spirit of fun,” said Susan Fritz, a representative for UNK’s Intramural Committee. “Louie’s new look embodies the spirit of innovation and unity that defines our university. We hope it brings smiles to the faces of everyone on campus.”

As the day drew to a close, students gathered around Louie, snapping photos and reveling in the festive atmosphere. The surprise left a lasting impression, igniting a sense of excitement and unity that reverberated throughout the UNK community.

With Louie’s new look poised to become a beloved symbol of school spirit, students look forward to a future filled with enthusiasm, creativity and countless memories shared with its iconic mascot.

“I was absolutely blown away by Louie’s new look,” said Hannah Thompson, a sophomore majoring in graphic design. “The costume design is so intricate and detailed, from the shimmering fabric to the intricate embroidery. It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort went into every aspect of the makeover.”

The mascot’s signature loper horns were given a modern twist, featuring sleeker lines and a metallic finish that gleamed under the court’s lights.

“I love how they updated Louie’s horns – they look so sleek and polished now,” said Michael Nguyen, a junior studying engineering. “It’s the perfect blend of tradition and modernity, which I think really captures the essence of UNK.”

DISCLAIMER: This story is a part of our annual April Fools’ issue, this story is not real. Happy April Fools’ Day!