Wildkit Pride

Willie the Wildkit is the beloved, official mascot of Evanston Township High School, serving as a source of pride for generations of ETHS alumni since 1946. ETHS is the only high school in the U.S. to use a Wildkit as its mascot, making Willie a unique and beloved symbol of school spirit. Willie attends sporting events, school activities, and community events.

Willie is considered the “younger sibling” of Northwestern University’s Willie the Wildcat, a mascot that was adopted by the university in the 1920s. The two institutions, based in Evanston, share a sense of pride and community. Their histories are intertwined with the city’s growth and development, each playing a significant role in shaping Evanston into a suburban educational hub.

Willie the Wildkit is one of the oldest high school mascots in the nation. The Wildkit symbol can be seen all across our campus. It is the most recognizable symbol associated with ETHS.

Evolution

Willie the Wildkit has been a constant at ETHS since the 1940s, uniting generations of students and alumni. While his spirit has remained strong, his appearance has evolved throughout the years. In 2015, Willie received a modern makeover, retaining his core identity while adopting a fresher, more dynamic look.

Orange and blue are the official colors of Evanston Township High School, a longstanding tradition that represents ETHS in athletics, school events, and throughout Evanston. These colors symbolize the pride and unity of the school community, connecting generations of Wildkits.

The ETHS School Fight Song, written by Paul K. Robertson (Class of 1920), has been a cherished Wildkit tradition for generations. Sung at athletic events, pep rallies, and other school gatherings, it brings together students, alumni, and the community in support of the Kits.

Listen to the ETHS Fight Song

Lyrics:

E-T-H-S we will fight for you
For the right to do
Everything for you.
We’ll go in to play and win the game
We will bring you fame! Rah! Rah! Rah!
Orange and the Blue
We’ll proudly wear,
May our colors e’er fly!
Victory comes while we sing,
Many trophies we will bring,
So Cheer! Cheer! Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!
We will win the game for Evanston High.

ETHS Fight Song Sheet Music

The Friday song is a cherished ETHS tradition. Every Friday morning during the school year, the same song plays over the PA system as part of the daily announcements, setting a positive tone for the day. This tradition began in 1992 with “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong and continues to be a unifying moment for students and staff.

The song selection process is a closely held Wildkit tradition, but there’s one known rule: a Friday song must be at least 10 years old to be considered.

During the final week of school for seniors, a Friday Song Countdown takes place. Each day, the Friday Song from one of the past four years is played—one for each year the graduating class spent at ETHS. It’s a nostalgic sendoff that ensures, no matter where life takes you, hearing that song will always bring you back to your time at ETHS.

Beardsley Gymnasium at ETHS is an iconic space with colosseum-style seating and bold orange and blue throughout. Built in 1926, the gym was named after ETHS Principal Wilfred F. Beardsley. While the school has undergone many facility upgrades and renovations, Beardsley Gym has retained its original form. It was designed by renowned architect Dwight Heald Perkins, known for his influential work in school and park design across the Chicago area.

For nearly a century, every Wildkit has stepped into Beardsley Gym—whether for a packed basketball game, a spirited pep rally, gym class, or a milestone event. It’s a place where memories are made, where history lives in every cheer, and where generations of students have come together in the heart of ETHS. More than just a gym, Beardsley is a historic venue that stands as a symbol of Wildkit pride.

The Wildkit sculpture outside Lazier Field is involved in a beloved football tradition. Football players and coaches tap it before home games, a ritual considered to bring good luck.