NATURALLY TRUE TO THE ORANGE AND BLUE
Welcome to the official website of the campus-voted mascot for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign:
THE BELTED KINGFISHER
WHY THE KINGFISHER?
The University of Illinois deserves a mascot as fierce and vibrant as our students, alumni, and community members.
As a year-round resident of Champaign parks, ponds, and rivers, the Belted Kingfisher would serve as a unique mascot future generations of Illinois alumni can proudly call their own.
OUR STORY
Students Clamor for New Mascot
2011: 85% of respondents in a campus-wide survey vote in favor of a mascot change
Unique Proposal Takes Flight!
2019: Spencer Hulsey proposes the Belted Kingfisher as a mascot
Students Vote YES!
2020: Majority of students voted to adopt the Belted Kingfisher as a mascot in the spring referendum
Faculty too!
2020: The U of I Faculty Senate voted 105 – 2 to adopt the Belted Kingfisher as the university’s official mascot
Spanning Across Generations
2020: The Illinois Alumni for the Kingfisher proves cross-generational appeal
Our King Arrives
2023: The King’s Guard begins their on-campus presence with a physical mascot costume
WHY A MASCOT?
Mascots are more than just a courtside character.
Mascots serve as a unifying symbol of school spirit and create enduring bonds between students and members of our community. Our University’s near two-decade gap without a mascot has impeded developing these shared traditions.
The Kingfisher’s goal is to enhance (not replace) existing traditions and develop new ones in a way that is accessible and enjoyable for everyone!
