Request Willie the Wildcat!
All appearance requests must be made 30 days prior to the event date. Once we have received your request, we will evaluate Willie's schedule and contact you to confirm availability and pricing.
Willie can attend events for 30 or 60 minute intervals. Rates vary depending on the organization, type of event, distance from campus, in- and out-of-state travel, and whether or not your event falls on a major holiday.
Rates for events outside of Evanston will include round-trip mileage at the university current mileage reimbursement rate.
EVENT DETAILS
GUIDELINES FOR WILLIE APPEARANCES
- Requesting Willie does not guarantee we can fulfill this request.
- Requests should be received at least four weeks in advance.
- Due to time constraints and availability, not all requests can be fulfilled. You will be notified approximately 2 weeks prior to your event if your request has been approved or cannot be accommodated.
- Any event held outside of Evanston will incur a travel fee assessed by our business office.
- A private and secure room is required for Willie to change prior to and to leave personal belongings during appearances.
- A public bathroom does not constitute as a private/secure room.
- Every 30 minutes Willie must have a 10-minute break to rehydrate in the secure area.
- Water must be provided for our performer in attendance.
- Mascot costumes will not be loaned or rented out.
- There is no refund for cancellations with less than 48 hours notice.
- Willie expects Northwestern community members at the events to be supportive and respectful.
- All payments must be received in full prior to all appearances
- Appearances are not considered confirmed until the payment is received in our office.
- Contact person must be available by phone up to 30 minutes prior to the event. We rely on this person to find private rooms and review event details.
- Appearance fees directly benefit Willie the Wildcat Mascot Program and are consistent with our peer institutions in the Big Ten Conference.
- Appearances during University reading week and final exam week are limited and based on student availability.
- Football home/away, men's basketball and women's basketball game days take priority over all requests. No appearance can coincide with a game or pre-game activities.
- We reserve the right to cancel appearances due to severe and inclement weather, illness, personal emergencies, etc.
- Completion and submission of this appearance request form constitutes an agreement to the guidelines listed above, even if submitted electronically without a signature.
- Willie the Wildcat appearance at an event does not constitute endorsement or advertisement of any product, service, view or person. If you are interested in obtaining a sponsorship with Willie or Northwestern Athletics, please reach out directly to Northwestern Sports Properties at swollenberg@northwesternsportsproperties.com
