Tuffy the eagle is a well-known part of Ashland University. The purple eagle is seen at almost every football and basketball game, and is recognized by fans. However, Tuffy hasn’t always been around.

Paul Metzler was a student at Ashland College in 1932. Since it’s origin, Ashland College’s mascot was a Purple Titan. Metzler began a campaign to change Ashland’s mascot to an eagle.

However, it wasn’t until 1942 when the eagle really became present. This is when the eagle statues appeared on campus. At first, the statues were on campus because they were stolen from a nearby manufacturing company, J.I. Case Company.

The first statue to gain a home on Ashland College’s campus was “Louise,” placed in front of Founder’s Hall. As the years progressed, so did the eagles. Eventually, in 1965, Case Company donated the trademark and rights of the eagle statue to Ashland. In the same year, the eagle was named as the College’s mascot.

At first, the mascot was named Victor. The costume was donated by a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, but has since been taken over by the Ashland University Athletics Department. Throughout the years, the mascot’s costume and design changed.

Originally, the costume consisted of a giant bird with an “N” on its chest. The wings hung from the sides of the costume and featured tassels. The costume was then made into more of an eagle. The purple bird was then featured with a sweater with an “A” on the front. It was at this point that Tuffy became more of a mascot. He was seen at all games and was even part of cheerleading routines. It was safe to say that whenever there were cheerleaders, there was Tuffy.

Rachel Bixler is currently the director of sports marketing and promotions, and said she tries to keep this tradition. She is in charge of filling the Tuffy suit, and looks through applications every four years. She said that Tuffy is popular both on and off campus, and is sent to most of the big sporting events held on campus.

“The requests go through me for any Tuffy appearances,” she said. “Generally where the cheerleaders are present, Tuffy is present.”

Tuffy’s next costume is very similar to the current costume in which he is seen. Tuffy became a purple eagle, and was given a new suit in 2002, funded by AU’s athletic department. However, the jersey Tuffy is seen wearing is new this year.

Tuffy is seen at all sporting events, and according to Bixler, fulfills his job as pepping up the crowd. Being Tuffy takes a lot, said Bixler, most of which consists of having fun.

“Basically it just takes someone that has kind of an outgoing personality,” she said. “Somebody that isn’t afraid to kind of chime in with the cheerleaders, or be around the kids, be able to get in the stands and kind of be a little silly and participate in different promotions that we have. Maybe somebody that can be a little bit entertaining with dancing and moving around and not talking.”

The student who plays Tuffy is normally kept for four years – from their freshman to senior years – and his or her identity is kept a secret.

Tuffy the eagle represents many things on AU’s campus. He is known to students, faculty and Ashland residents. He is a regular attendee at football and basketball games, as well as other events such as Trick-or-Treating on campus and other big events.

Sophomore Early Childhood Education major Michelle Andersen said Tuffy is a team player. She said she enjoys seeing him hype up the crowds at events.

“Tuffy never lets his team down,” she said. “He’s at all the sporting events.”

Junior Ashley Akins agrees. She said that Tuffy’s enthusiasm shows Ashland what AU is all about.

“I think he represents spirit and Ashland and fun,” she said. “And who we are as a school.”