Lil' Red

Lil' Red
Lil' Red
	Lil' Red in 2007
University	University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Conference	Big Ten
Description	Inflatable farm boy in red overalls
Origin of name	Contest
First seen	1993; 32 years ago
Related mascot(s)	Herbie Husker
Hall of Fame	2007
Website	Lil' Red

Lil' Red is one of two active mascots of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was created in 1993, initially intended to represent the school's volleyball team and appeal to younger fans. Lil' Red quickly became popular and his use was expanded across all sports. He is depicted as an inflatable farm boy wearing red overalls and a sideways hat, and is often seen with Herbie Husker.

Earlier mascots

The University of Nebraska used many unofficial mascots in its early decades, most often a variation of an anthropomorphic ear of corn named Cornhead Guy, Johnnie Husker, or Old Man Cornhusker.^[1] The earliest mascot to appear on the sideline (not just as a logo) was Corncob Man, a man in green overalls with an ear of corn for a head who debuted in 1955.^[1] Husky the Husker (a ten-foot-tall farmer) and Mr. Big Red (a man in a blazer commonly referred to as Harry Husker) gave way to Herbie Husker in 1974.^[2] Herbie became the school's first official mascot in 1977.

History

Lil' Red was created in 1993 after a statewide contest to find a counterpart for Herbie Husker to appear during simultaneous football, basketball, or volleyball games. Associate athletic director Barbara Hibner led the contest, hoping a second, more precocious mascot would appeal to younger fans.^[3] Lil' Red quickly became so popular that the university discontinued the use of Herbie in 1995, though he was later reinstated.^[4] The mascots are now frequently seen together across all sports. Nebraska says Herbie and Lil' Red are not intended to be related, but describes them as "best friends."^[3]

The mascot is manufactured by Omaha-based Signs & Shapes International, Inc. The operator of the costume wears a belt with an attached air circulation system, which brings in over 100 cubic feet (2.8 m³) of outside air per minute. Due to the outfit's incredibly light weight, the larger-than-life mascot can run, dance, shake hands, and crowd surf. Lil' Red is frequently seen bouncing on his head, a stunt that requires the wearer to maneuver the costume into an upside-down position while inside.^[3]

Appearance

Lil' Red is a blond-haired, blue-eyed inflatable farm boy who stands over eight feet tall. He dresses in red overalls and a white undershirt with a sideways baseball cap. His appearance is essentially unchanged since he was created in 1993.^[3]

Awards and popular culture

Lil' Red won the national championship at the NCAA National Mascot Competition in 1999. He received the "Golden Silly String Award" as an inductee into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2007.^[5]

Lil' Red starred in a children's book, The Legend of Lil' Red, written by Paul Rea and published by Husker Books in August 2008.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b "Photos: Husker mascots, past and present". The North Platte Telegraph. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
^ "Lil' Red's forebears: The history of Nebraska's on-field mascots". Lincoln Journal Star. 30 August 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Andrew Stewart (11 December 2021). "All Hail Herbie". Nebraska Alumni Association. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
^ Jordan Pascale (29 January 2022). "How White Supremacy Changed Herbie Husker". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
^ "Lil' Red earns official invite to mascot hall". Nebraska Athletics. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
^ Collin Spilinek (29 September 2018). "After 10 years, Lil' Red children's book still reaching young Husker fans". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2025.

[Mascots-1] "Photos: Husker mascots, past and present". The North Platte Telegraph. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2025.

[LJS-2] "Lil' Red's forebears: The history of Nebraska's on-field mascots". Lincoln Journal Star. 30 August 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[NAA-3] Andrew Stewart (11 December 2021). "All Hail Herbie". Nebraska Alumni Association. Retrieved 21 February 2025.

[4] Jordan Pascale (29 January 2022). "How White Supremacy Changed Herbie Husker". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved 20 February 2025.

[5] "Lil' Red earns official invite to mascot hall". Nebraska Athletics. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2025.

[6] Collin Spilinek (29 September 2018). "After 10 years, Lil' Red children's book still reaching young Husker fans". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2025.

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v t e Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Venues	Lincoln Park (1891–1892) M Street Park (1893–1896, 1908–1909) Antelope Field (1897–1907) Nebraska Field (1909–1922) Memorial Stadium (1923–present)
Rivalries	Colorado (Buffalo Head) Iowa (Heroes Trophy) Kansas Kansas State Miami (FL) Minnesota ($5 Bits of Broken Chair) Missouri (Victory Bell) Oklahoma Wisconsin (Freedom Trophy)
Games	Bowl games Conference championship games 1939 vs. Kansas State 1971 vs. Oklahoma ("The Game of the Century") 1982 vs. Penn State 1997 vs. Missouri ("Flea Kicker") 2001 vs. Oklahoma ("Black 41 Flash Reverse")
Culture and lore	History (under Tom Osborne) Herbie Husker Lil' Red "Dear Old Nebraska U" "Hail Varsity" "Mr. Touchdown, U.S.A." Blackshirts Cornhusker Marching Band "Cornhuskers" nickname Fumblerooski Sellout streak
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National championship seasons in bold • Conference championship seasons in italics

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Rivalries	Creighton
Culture & lore	Herbie Husker Lil' Red "Dear Old Nebraska U" "Hail Varsity"
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