Issue date: 7/5/07 Section: News

Former SIUE mascot Chimega perches on a wall in front of Morris University Center (archival photo courtesy of SIUE photo services)

Twenty years ago, SIUE said goodbye to its beloved mascot. While many other colleges had people dressed up as furry, fuzzy animals to rile a crowd up, SIUE actually had a furry, fuzzy, very much live cougar.

According to SIUE archivist Steve Kerber, the first cougar mascot came to campus on February 19, 1968. "Chimega," as the cougar was called, had been the pet of a man in Houston. When the man was killed in a plane crash, his family gave Chimega as a gift to the university.

"Chimega was a marvelous mascot," Kerber said, "she had a pleasant personality and was comfortable around people. She was perfect in her role."

As the original cougar aged, SIUE sought out another cougar. Kyna was purchased for $500 when she was seven weeks old. She came to the university during August 1982.

A cougar guard was set up to take care of the mascots. SIUE alumnus Joel Lohr was part of the guard.

"We went through pretty intensive training units to learn about taking care of the cat," Lohr said, "and the training was well-administered."

World-renowned architect and former SIUE professor Buckminster Fuller designed the cougar's den. The den was a geodesic hut shaped much like the SIUE Religious Center, another campus building he designed.

"The dome was about 40 feet across and had a 75-foot run off the side of it," Lohr said.

The cats were routinely walked around the Stratton Quadrangle and campus as well as along the bike trails that run through campus.

"They liked to do the same things domestic cats do," Lohr said. "They liked to show their affection. Little cats have a sandpaper tongue; hers just happened to be like a large file. They liked to bat a ball around and play just like she was a domestic cat, just 100 lbs. heavier."

According to Lohr, as Chimega aged, she became an even mellower cat. She died March 12, 1985 and was buried on campus. A small gravestone can be seen near the lake in front of Founders and Alumni Halls.

Theater manager Valerie Goldston came to work for SIUE's Theater Department in 1985. She remembered seeing the cougar on walks with at least four members of the guard at a time.

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