Since its founding in 1884, Temple University has embraced the owl as a symbol of wisdom and a tribute to its origins as a night school for ambitious students of limited means. The Temple Owls’ mascot, now embodied by the beloved Hooter the Owl and live mascot Stella, has evolved significantly over the years. Here’s everything you will need to know about the history of Temple Owls’ feathery mascots.
The Story behind Temple’s Owl Mascot
Temple’s owl mascot traces its roots to the university’s inception, when founder Russell Conwell dubbed students “night owls” for their evening classes. Conwell’s famous remark, “The owl of the night makes the eagle of the day,” cemented the owl as a symbol of the University.
Temple was the first U.S. university to adopt the owl as its mascot. In 1931, the University of Missouri gifted Temple a great horned owl named Owliver, marking the first live mascot to cheer at football games.
Victor E. Owl’s Debut
The modern mascot era began in 1977 with Victor E. Owl, a feathered, less expressive figure compared to today’s Hooter. Victor’s costume, complete with real feathers, was a bold first step but lacked the charm fans now expect. His appearances at games and rallies laid the groundwork for the mascot’s role as a campus unifier.
The Rise of Hooter the Owl
The early 1980s were pivotal for Temple. The university celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1984 and unveiled its iconic “T” logo, and introduced the “T for Temple U” cheer. That same year, a student contest renamed Victor E. Owl to Hooter the Owl, making it more approachable. Hooters’ updated costume debuted in 1983 featured a sleeker design and was made more cutesy.
Congratulations to the champion of @PhillyInquirer‘s first-ever Mascot Bracket! Take your victory lap, Hooter 💪🦉 pic.twitter.com/sv6YlItLld
— Temple University (@TempleUniv) April 24, 2024
By the mid-1990s, Hooters underwent a significant redesign. His once-angry eyes softened into a friendlier gaze, and his head grew larger, giving him a cartoonish charm that went very well with fans.
“Hooter’s big head is part of his appeal,” said Scott Walcoff, senior associate athletic director for external operations. This 1996–98 transformation made Hooters a fan favorite at basketball and football games.
Stella: The Live Mascot
In 2013, Temple introduced Stella, a great horned owl, as its live mascot. Hailing from Washington state, the 2-foot-tall, 3-pound predator boasts a 60-inch wingspan and talons that exert 28 pounds of force per square inch.
KEEP READING: History of the Penn State Nittany Lions Mascot
Residing at Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Stella cheers alongside Hooter at home football games and serves as a wildlife conservation ambassador.
The Temple Owls mascot, from Owliver to Hooter and Stella, symbolizes the University’s history and struggles. With a 2025 football season on the horizon and basketball aiming to reclaim NCAA tournament glory, Hooter and Stella have much work ahead of them, cheering their teams and keeping the hope alive.
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