New Boomer mascot sparks #NotMyBoomer movement

Bennett McKinney ‘28
mckinneybra@lakeforest.edu
Staff Writer

SATIRE—On Jan. 3, the college announced a revamped version of its beloved mascot Boomer the Bear. This sudden change was made public in an Instagram post on @lakeforestcollege and @foresterathletics. However, this news was not as well received as the college anticipated it would be.

The post was immediately met with backlash from members of the Forester community on Instagram. One commenter wrote “Holy nightmare fuel” while others wondered if this abrupt change was an early April Fools joke. Alas, this updated version of Boomer is not a joke, and the general consensus among Instagram commenters on that post is that this new Boomer is a huge downgrade.

Of course, the unexpected switch causes one to wonder why. Why would the college deface such an integral part of its cultural iconography? The old Boomer was removed, effective immediately, and his replacement is here to stay. Unfortunately, there is no further explanation.

Many students and members of the community are tremendously upset by this change. 

“The main reason I chose to attend [Lake Forest College] was because of the cute, charming nature of its mascot, but now because of this terrifying new one, I’m seriously considering dropping out,” said junior Jaxon Baxter, a troubled Forester.  

Another student, Sarah Spaghetti, compared the new mascot to “Matt Gaetz as a bear, yikes.”

Clearly, the student body is upset, so what happened to the old, loveable Boomer? The answer is, yet again, unclear. Many students have questions. 

“I’m scared. It’s a big world out there for such a little bear. I hope he can find a job at another school or institution,” said Polly Pity, a concerned sophomore. 

This prospect seems unlikely as the old Boomer has mysteriously vanished. 

Another student, freshman Eddie Eddison, plans to “steal the old [Boomer] costume and keep it as a treasured bear hide, mounted on [their] wall.”

The shared upset and mixed reactions to this “new and improved” Boomer has managed to unite the Forester community. Together, students have rallied against the changed mascot with the #NotMyBoomer movement. These activist students are fighting in hopes of returning to the adorable mascot that the community knows and loves.