STUDENT AFFAIRS

Four years as Willie the Wildcat

During her entire undergraduate experience, Lizzie Ferrazza was Northwestern's most recognizable face—without anyone knowing

Several times a week for the past four years, Lizzie Ferrazza layered padding with a furry suit and a Northwestern jersey. She topped off the look with a mascot head, and from then on, she communicated through larger-than-life gestures rather than speech.

She became Willie the Wildcat.

Since her first year as an undergraduate at Northwestern, Ferrazza served as Willie, appearing at home and away football games, men’s and women’s home basketball games, and other athletic and campus appearances. Her final appearance was June 14, when she was revealed as Willie during Northwestern's 168th annual Commencement Ceremony at the United Center. During a video celebrating the graduating class, a surprise segment announced that one graduating senior had spent four years behind the mascot. After scenes of Willie saying goodbye to campus played on screen, Ferrazza emerged onto the stage wearing Willie’s paws and feet, revealing herself to the audience for the first time.

Willie the Wildcat wasn't Ferrazza's first time performing as a mascot. She also served as “Nanook the Huskie” for her high school from 2019 through 2022.

“During COVID, Nanook's positive content and spontaneous appearances were very important to students and staff at my high school, and he helped to raise school spirit at a time when many people felt disconnected,” Ferrazza said. “Seeing the way Nanook brought people together made me want to continue serving my community in the same way once I got to college.”

After her acceptance into Northwestern and while she was still in high school, Ferrazza attended auditions to be Willie.

According to Ferrazza, the audition process tests the essential elements of mascoting: nonverbal communication, reacting to game-day situations, a sideline skit and a demonstration of school spirit.

“Cheering the entire fight song is a lot more tiring than you might expect,” Ferrazza said.

After being accepted into Northwestern’s Spirit Squad composed of students who perform as Willie and the cheer team Ferrazza began training. Weekly practices involved syncing movements with other Willie performers to ensure consistent appearances across campus events, learning Willie’s mannerisms, dance moves and game day traditions.

Ferrazza was trained by senior spirit squad members during her first year and has led training ever since.

While Ferrazza performed as Willie at countless Northwestern events, she said her favorite has been March Back Through the Arch, a celebration of the graduating class where they march back through Weber Arch.

“I was fortunate enough to represent Willie at this event four years in a row, including for my own March,” Ferrazza said. “Seeing everyone's friends and family gathered to celebrate their graduates will stick with me for a long time.”

Willie’s responsibilities shift depending on the event. At Northwestern’s athletic events, Ferrazza hyped up the crowd from the sidelines alongside cheerleaders, interacted with fans, signed autographs and assisted with on-field recognitions and on-court media timeouts. During campus appearances, she filmed social media content and interacted with students, faculty and alumni along the way. Ferrazza has also volunteered at community events such as Lurie Cancer Survivors’ Celebration 5K, Team IMPACT Field Day, and Kits Cats and Kids Block Party. She has been a guest on Good Morning America in New York City, walked down the Magnificent Mile during Chicago’s Lights Festival Parade and you can find her on a billboard along the city’s expressways holding a Northwestern branded Wintrust Bank card.

One of her favorite recurring moments was running the Northwestern flag 120 yards at the start of each football and along the baseline at basketball games. In doing so, Willie kicked off every Northwestern football and basketball matchup with purple pride.

“No matter what, fitting in a good hydration break was always a top priority,” Ferrazza said. “Willie's fur coat can get pretty hot.”

 

Ferrazza's role has also taken her beyond Evanston. She attended UCA College Mascot Camp in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, where she won the UCA Superior Mascot award. Ferrazza has attended and performed at the Las Vegas Bowl at the Allegiant Stadium and GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field. She has traveled to New York where she was featured in a commercial for the Abbott Global campaign “We Give Blood Drive” alongside the other Big Ten mascots. While there, the group rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange, appeared on national television to promote and celebrate College Colors Day and mascoted in Times Square.

“Lizzie has been the face of Northwestern during some of our program’s biggest moments. She is an exceptional mascot, teammate, leader, and person,” said Valerie Ruiz, head cheer coach and spirit squad director, Northwestern Athletics. “Whether representing the Wildcats on a national stage or connecting with fans one-on-one, she consistently brought authenticity, energy, and pride to everything she did. She inspired her teammates, elevated our program, and set an example of what it means to lead with humility and heart.

“Simply put, she is one of the most remarkable student leaders I have had the privilege to coach, and there is no one I would have trusted more to represent our university.”

Amid all of these engagements, Ferrazza kept her role quiet. She told her family as soon as she was accepted into Northwestern’s Spirit Squad, but did not tell those around her on campus. Ferrazza said her close friends would grow suspicious of her disappearances during games.

“I kept my identity as Willie under wraps: I think preserving the character of the mascot is more important than recognizing the performer inside,” Ferrazza said. “There were definitely a couple close calls after appearances when Willie would depart and people would notice a new and possibly sweaty person suddenly in the room.”

Now a new graduate of Northwestern, where she majored Radio/Television/Film and Classics, Ferrazza is working as a mascot handler and performer for the Chicago Stars, with hopes of working in comedy writing and late-night television down the line.

“I feel so lucky to have performed as Willie the Wildcat for the past four years,” Ferrazza said. “Willie is friends with each and every person at Northwestern, and I can't give enough thanks to you all for the sense of community you gave to me.”

Interested in being the next Willie the Wildcat? Email nuspirit@northwestern.edu.