Herbie Husker is the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's oldest active mascot, first appearing on a 1974 football media guide cover and becoming the school's first official mascot in 1977. Created from a cartoon by Dirk West and refined into a costume by Disney artist Bob Johnson, this burly farmer—who wears denim overalls, a red cowboy hat, and carries a football—replaced a long line of earlier mascots like Husky the Husker and Harry Husker. In 1993, he was joined by the inflatable Lil' Red, who was created to appeal to younger fans and represent the volleyball team; the two are described as "best friends" rather than relatives. Athletic director Bill Byrne briefly retired Herbie in 1995 over marketing concerns, but he was reinstated and now appears alongside Lil' Red at all major athletic events. Students who play Herbie are selected via open tryouts and often keep their identity secret until graduation. The mascot underwent a modern rebrand in 2003 under athletic director Steve Pederson to update his presentation, yet he remains a beloved symbol at both sporting and academic events in Lincoln.