Gorlok

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The Gorlok is Webster University's school mascot. It is a mythical creature that was designed by Webster staff and students through a school contest. It has the paws of a cheetah, the horns of a buffalo, and the face of a Saint Bernard dog.

[edit] Origin of the name

The name "Gorlok" was derived from the combination of two streets that intersect in the heart of "old Webster", Gore and Lockwood Avenues. The name was chosen in June 1984 by a campus committee which considered many suggestions and voted several times before settling on the unusual name.

[edit] History

Once a name was chosen, a contest was run in the October 4, 1984 issue of The Journal, the Webster University student newspaper. At the time the contest was run, only the name Gorlok had been decided. The contest required the applicants to submit a sketch as well as a description of how they thought a Gorlok would look. The winning entry included the description outlined above, and a picture of a blue and yellow creature holding a hand-held pump sprayer.

The first life-size reproduction of the Gorlok was not complete until 1988, and made its debut at the February 9, 1988 men's basketball game between Webster and St. Louis Christian College. That first Gorlok stood 6'3" and was covered in blue fur. It was designed and created by Jana Park-Rogers, a costume designer for The Repertory Theatre of St.Louis, and Teri McConnell, creator of "Fredbird", the St. Louis Cardinal mascot.

Today's Gorlok is very different. A golden fur-covered creature sporting a blue T-shirt emblazoned with a white "W", he makes his appearance at several Webster events worldwide.

[edit] Sources

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