FIELDHOUSE — The University of Saskatchewan is excited to announce that a real live half-man-half-beast-type being will be filling Howler the Huskie’s mascot suit for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year.

Tryouts to fill the position of the popular mascot began on Oct. 16, following the mysterious disappearance of the standing representative. Huskie Athletics organizers noticed the empty Howler costume lying on the 50-yard line, when the lights came back up during the Blackout game on Oct. 14.

Brant Loupine, a fifth-year kinesiology student and resident case-study in the psychology department, wowed officials with his shockingly genuine animalistic behaviours. Loupine spent the first 15 years of his life as part of a wolf pack in northern Saskatchewan with no connection to human life or the outside world.

Not one to mince words, Loupine offered little comment beyond the occasional grunt or growl at the press conference on Wednesday.

“Run,” Loupine said, when asked what he expected of his new role.

University officials are excited for the new direction in school spirit, and feel fortunate to have found Loupine — hunched under the bleachers, blood pouring from his mouth — as soon as the position opened up.