UA News

The 50-year-old mascot will lead this year's parade, with past Wilburs and Wilmas in tow.

During this year's 95th annual University of Arizona Homecoming celebration, Wilbur Wildcat, the UA's beloved mascot, will reach a major milestone in his cheerleading and crowd-pleasing life – his 50th birthday.

Many Wilbur – and Wilma – alumni are returning this weekend to celebrate the cuddly character's important place in UA history. The current Wilbur will be the Homecoming parade's grand marshal this Saturday at 11 a.m. Several past Wilburs and Wilmas will ride along on a fire truck.

The public unveiling of so many of the former students who played the lovable mascot is noteworthy. During their time at the UA, the identities of the students who become Wilbur and Wilma are one of the most closely guarded secrets on campus.

Bill Waynick, Wilbur from 1988-1992, is traveling from Germany, where he currently is stationed in the U.S. Air Force. For Waynick, performing as Wilbur gave him some of his best memories at the UA – from attending the Aloha Bowl to getting carried through the stands by Wildcat fans.

In 1994, Waynick created the Wilbur and Wilma T. Wildcat Endowed Scholarship Fund to honor and support those students who give hours of their time each year to bring the enduring Wildcat spirit to UA events.

"There was not one event I didn't enjoy doing, but it did make us pretty busy, and there wasn't much time to pull a full course load and work on top of that," Waynick said.

The mascots' on- and off-the-field responsibilities can take a lot out of the Wildcats behind the uniform, much like the student-athletes they support.

"These scholarships are so important because of the amount of time Wilbur and Wilma give to the school," Waynick said.

Every semester, the students who perform as Wilbur and Wilma receive a modest scholarship from this fund to go toward their education at the UA.

Waynick hopes renewed community support of the endowed scholarship fund will eventually allow it to cover tuition and books for the students.

"I felt like I owed everybody there something for the once-in-a-lifetime experience and support they gave me," Waynick said. "I know all of us who put on the costume did it because we love the University and it wasn't for recognition.

UA's First Mascot was a Live Bobcat

The UA's first mascot was a live bobcat, brought to campus in 1915 and named "Rufus Arizona" after UA President Rufus Bernard Von KleinSmid.

Four decades later, UA students Ed Stuckenoff, Richard Heller and John Paquette created a more human-like costumed mascot. On Nov. 7, 1959, Wilbur Wildcat made his first appearance at the UA-Texas Tech football game, with Stuckenoff behind the mask.

Wilma Wildcat, Wilbur's "wife," made her first appearance on March 1, 1986. The two were married at a football game on Nov. 21, 1986.

Support the Scholarship Fund

To support the Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat Scholarship Fund, please contact Kristin Rennels at the UA Foundation at 520-626-1338.

Thanks also to all the students who have portrayed Wilbur during the last 50 years:

• Ed Stukenoff: 1959-1961
• Allen Knox: 1959-1961
• Jay Rubinow: 1959-1961
• Harry Stukenoff: 1959-1964
• Meyer Turken: 1961-1964
• Sidney Rubinow: 1963-1967
• Jim Mauge: 1964-1965
• Philip Carrott: 1965-1966
• Steve Lehman: 1965-1966
• Steve Stralser 1968-1970
• Dennis Brogna: 1972-1975
• Chuck Brugler: 1974-1975
• Patrick Cunningham: 1976-1977
• M'liss Christian: 1980-1981
• Justin Thompson: 1983-1985
• Tom Doyle: 1982-1983
• Justin Dardis: 1983-1984
• Kurt Gerster: 1985-1986
• Franc Brodar: 1986-1988
• Bill Waynick: 1988-1992
• Devin Elliott: 1991-1995
• Chris Holden: 1992-1996
• Ben Bartley: 1995-1998
• Kirk Sibley: 1996-1999
• Bob Kay: 1998-2000
• Jesus Valdez: 1999-2002
• Mark Hartman: 2001-2002
• Rob Parsons: 2001-2003
• Walter Foxcroft III: 2003-2005
• Scott Kelly: 2004-2006
• James Rozzoni: 2005-2007
• Dan Mckee: 2007-2009