Hiatus is over; Col. Tillou back at Nicholls

After a five-year absence, Colonel Tillou will return to the sidelines of Nicholls athletic events this upcoming season.

An updated version of the Colonel mascot will make its public debut at a three-hour ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 27, in the university quadrangle.

Kick off is at 11 a.m., with Col. Tillou making his entrance around 11:30 a.m.

“It’s an entirely new mascot, but it fits the image that works with Colonels,” said Nicholls President Stephen Hulbert. “I know what it looks like on paper, but I haven’t seen the actual costume. I’m looking forward to the public release.”

“We are so excited to unveil the new Col. Tillou,” said Renee Piper, director of university relations. “He’s contemporary looking and much fiercer than his predecessor.”

Nicholls contracted Ohio-based mascot design company Rickabaugh Graphics in June 2008 to develop new athletics logos and the Colonel image.

Over a five-month period, Rickabaugh conducted university focus groups composed of community members, Nicholls students, alumni, faculty and staff to discuss ideas and concerns regarding the mascot.

Four final designs were presented earlier this year to a selection committee of Nicholls students and administrators.

“There was a vast majority that liked the design you’re going to be seeing,” said design company owner Eric Rickabaugh. “It was not a close call. It had a lot support and interest. People are very excited.”

University officials are keeping all details of the new costume under wraps until the big unveiling.

The new mascot and emblems are part of the Nicholls family of trademarked logos that includes the highly recognizable large red letter “N.”

Merchandise featuring the new logos began appearing at the University Bookstore and local retail outlets over the weekend.

The old Col. Tillou mascot was introduced in 1962.

Hulbert retired the bearded Colonel mascot costume caricature in 2004.

Nicholls was one of several universities around the country that removed mascots with vestiges of America’s troubled racial past in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Although the Colonel remained the official Nicholls mascot designation, the name “Tillou” was not retired. The university had been without a visual representation of the Colonel since.

“I think our students, athletes and alumni will be very pleased with the new Tillou mascot,” Hulbert predicted. “It will be a source for pride for the entire Nicholls community.”