Call for a New Mascot
April 28, 2026
University YMCA Students and Our Board call for a new University mascot.
On April 3, 2026, the University YMCA Student Board, representing 13 student organizations, published a public letter to Chancellor Isbell Jr. in support of a new mascot for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: the Kingfisher.
In preparing their statement, student leaders presented their letter to the University YMCA Board of Governors. The Board unanimously endorsed the students’ letter and prepared its own behalf of the entire University YMCA. Both statements recognize the University YMCA’s unique relationship with the University’s prior mascot, and responsibility to help establish a new mascot that serves as a unifying element of campus culture and tradition.
The King's Guard, organizers of the Kingfisher movement, invited the Student Board to speak at the April 27 Faculty Senate meeting. StuBo member, Ani Apresyan, delivered remarks. A video clip was shared on Instagram, and a copy of her speech can be read here.