Havoc the Wolf shines in the spotlight
Havoc the Wolf has served as Loyola’s mascot since 2006 after a re-branding by the Loyola New Orleans Athletic department. Loyola has featured a wolf mascot, either live and costumed student, since 1928. Photo credit: Cristian Orellana
March 15, 2018
There is secrecy and intrigue when it comes to Loyola’s furry mascot.
Havoc the Wolf is portrayed by a member of the student body who gets the crowds excited for games in The Den, welcomes students on tours and gets a laugh or two out of anyone that comes in contact with them.
The identity of Havoc is a mystery until the student graduates, giving a sense of wonder to those who are a part of the Wolf Pack community.
Havoc has not always been Loyola’s mascot.
The original mascot was not a student in a wolf suit, but an actual live wolf cub. However, in 1928, the football team rejected the mascot after a tough season.
In 1932 the cub grew into a full grown wolf and accompanied Wolf Pack fans to sporting events. But the changes to Loyola’s mascot weren’t over. For a brief period of time, “ferocious” cocker spaniel puppies replaced the wolf, according to the Monroe Library website.
Further changes to the mascot came in 1966 when the university once again adopted a real Canadian wolf cub as their mascot. After a Loyola cheerleader held a naming contest, the name Fang was given to the school’s newest wolf cub.
However, Fang’s time at Loyola was short-lived. After two years at Loyola, he was donated to the Audubon Zoo.
In 2006, Havoc was named by the Pack Pride Committee and became the mascot Loyola knows now.
Courtnie Prather, assistant athletic director, spoke with Havoc on our behalf to preserve the student’s identity and give insight as to who Loyola’s mascot really is.
“It is awesome to have the privilege of representing Loyola in its rawest animated form,” Havoc said.
Havoc the Wolf is the character students and athletes associate with the most at sports events and on-campus activities.
“Students live hectic and stressful lives. As Havoc, I have the opportunity, in a nonverbal and fascinating way, to break down those barriers with people and do anything within my paw-powers to get a laugh or a smile,” Havoc said.
Being the mascot of the Wolf Pack comes with the perks of interacting with the community.
“My favorite part about being Havoc is the interaction with people. It is a new challenge every day, a different setting with different groups of people,” Havoc said.
Havoc loves being able to let loose and let that inner goofy child out.
“The simple action of genuinely connecting with everybody around me is what makes being Havoc one of the best decisions I have made at Loyola,” Havoc said.
Not only do Loyola students love Havoc, but when children get to see them, Havoc automatically becomes the life of the party, according to the student in the suit.
Havoc’s funniest experience was at a women’s basketball game where 400 elementary students were invited. In order to keep the children invested in the game, Havoc started the wave and went back-and-forth high-fiving children during every break.
During a high-five, one of the students ended up with Havoc’s paw. All the students erupted in laughter and spent the rest of the game trying to determine Havoc’s identity and gender.
“It was hilariously embarrassing, but I could not make a sound,” Havoc said.
It takes a special Loyola student to take on the important job of being Loyola’s mascot and making it the best that it can be, according to Havoc.
“As Havoc, you have the opportunity to leave your paw print at every event that comes along,” Havoc said.
