Pounce de Lion

• Pounce

Pounce de Lion was the University of Waterloo alumni mascot.

The idea for Pounce de Lion emerged during an Alumni Affairs staff meeting in 1982, when staff determined that the department needed a mascot that alumni would immediately associate with the University of Waterloo. An owl was initially considered but was ultimately rejected because it lacked a distinct connection to the University. Staff instead turned to the three lions on the University’s crest, selecting the bottom lion as the mascot for its associations with courage and wisdom.

To bring the lion to life, Alumni Affairs commissioned University of Waterloo staff member Frank Esch to create the mascot's original illustration. Esch's initial drawing depicted the lion springing from the University's crest, ensuring its connection to Waterloo would be immediately recognizable. The lion illustration first appeared in the University of Waterloo Courier in 1982. As alumni programming expanded, additional drawings were commissioned depicting the mascot in a wide variety of activities and settings.

Although the mascot appeared in print regularly from 1983 onward, it was not until 1984, when the newly established Student Alumni Association (SAA) adopted the lion for its events and promotional activities, that the character truly gained popularity. Demand for the mascot grew rapidly, and in 1985 the SAA began renting a lion costume to allow the character to make life-sized appearances at campus events. The mascot soon became so popular that a custom costume was commissioned. Designed by Caryn Macfabe of Fox Paw Creations and based on Esch's original artwork, the costume transformed the illustrated mascot into a recognizable campus personality.

The lion remained unnamed until Alumni Affairs launched a "Name the Lion" contest in late 1986.[1] The winning submission, announced in March 1987, was Pounce de Lion, proposed by Don Roberts of the University's Philosophy Department.

By the late 1980s, Pounce de Lion had become one of the University's most recognizable mascots. The lion's popularity led Alumni Affairs to seek trademark protection for the character in 1987 after unauthorized reproductions of Pounce's image began to appear.[3] Pounce merchandise followed, including plush toys introduced in 1991 and sold through the University gift shop.[4] That same year, Pounce received a redesigned costume created by local costume designers Jocelyne Sobeski and Marian Marshall, with financial support from the SAA.[5]

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Pounce appeared at countless campus and community events, serving as a friendly ambassador for the University and helping foster connections among students, alumni, faculty, and staff. By the mid-1990s, however, appearances became less frequent. Following a gradual decline in promotional and community use, Pounce de Lion appears to have been quietly retired from active service. Despite his retirement, Pounce remains an enduring symbol of University of Waterloo alumni engagement and student spirit.

[1] University of Waterloo courier. (December 1986). Office of Alumni Affairs, University of Waterloo, p. 7-10. Call number: UWA 0245

[2] University of Waterloo courier. (March 1987). Office of Alumni Affairs, University of Waterloo, p. 33. Call number: UWA 0245

[3] UW news. Release no. 49. (March 13, 1987). Information Services, University of Waterloo. Call number: UWA 0300 ; UW news. Release no. 173. (July 24, 1987). Information Services, University of Waterloo. Call number: UWA 0300 ; “Pounce de Lion to be protected from copycats at university.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Tuesday, July 28, 1987, p.10.

[4] University of Waterloo alumni magazine. (January 1991). University of Waterloo, p.12. Call number: UWA 0245

[5] University of Waterloo alumni magazine. (Fall 1991). University of Waterloo, p.24. Call number: UWA 0245