{{Short description|Athletics mascot of Nicholls State University}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox College Mascot | name = Colonel Tillou | image = Colonel Tillou, LSU Tigers vs Nicholls Colonels at Tiger Stadium 09-07-2024.jpg | image_size = 280px | caption = Colonel Tillou at Tiger Stadium (LSU) | university = Nicholls State University | conference = Southland Conference | conference_short = Southland | description = Military officer | name_origin = Student election | first_seen = 1962, 2009 (Current version) | related_mascots = | official_website = | hall_of_fame = }} '''Colonel Tillou''' is the official athletics mascot for Nicholls State University. The modern version of Col. Tillou wears a bright red uniform topped off with a contemporary-style military officer's cap.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nicholls.edu/mascot/official-logos-and-marks/behind-the-scenes-the-reinvention-of-col-tillou/ |accessdate=March 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306160214/http://www.nicholls.edu/mascot/official-logos-and-marks/behind-the-scenes-the-reinvention-of-col-tillou/ |title=Colonel Tillou |archivedate=March 6, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2009/08/nicholls-state-mascot-drawing-criticism/1#.UQi0wb9ZVu4 |title=New mascot at Nicholls State under fire |publisher=Content.usatoday.com |date=2009-08-20 |accessdate=2015-08-28}}</ref>
==History== By 2004, an older version of the Colonel Tillou was considered antiquated and the decision was made to retire the mascot.<ref name="mascot1">{{cite web|date=July 31, 2009 | title=Nicholls State revamps mascot|publisher=dailycomet.com| url=http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20090731/SPORTS17/907319938?tc=ar|accessdate=2013-03-21}}</ref> Nicholls State University President Stephen Hulbert stated that "The Colonel is and will remain the mascot designation for Nicholls State University and its intercollegiate athletics programs." Hulbert tasked student leaders to work on a suitable replacement. That process lasted six years and the "new" Colonel Tillou was introduced to the campus community in August 2009. It has been considered to look like a Red Army Soldier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nicholls.edu/mascot/mascot-history/ |title=Mascot History |accessdate=March 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225225258/http://www.nicholls.edu/mascot/mascot-history/ |archivedate=December 25, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="mascot2">{{cite web|date=August 8, 2009 | title=Embrace the new Tillou|publisher=dailycomet.com| url=http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20090808/OPINION01/908079898?tc=ar|accessdate=2013-03-21}}</ref><ref name="mascot3">{{cite web|date=August 28, 2009 | title=Costume draws mixed reviews from students|publisher=dailycomet.com| url=http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20090828/ARTICLES/908289928?tc=ar|accessdate=2013-03-21}}</ref><ref name="mascot4">{{cite web|date=November 24, 2009 | title=New Nicholls mascot has many alumni up in arms|publisher=nola.com| url=http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/new_nicholls_mascot_has_many_a.html|accessdate=2013-03-21}}</ref><ref name="mascot5">{{cite web|date=August 5, 2009 | title=New ‘Tillou’ has detractors, supporters|publisher=houmatoday.com| url=http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090805/ARTICLES/908059934|accessdate=2013-03-21}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://geauxcolonels.com/ Nicholls Colonels athletics website]
{{Nicholls Colonels baseball navbox}} {{Nicholls Colonels men's basketball navbox}} {{Nicholls Colonels women's basketball navbox}} {{Nicholls Colonels football navbox}} {{Nicholls Colonels softball navbox}} {{Nicholls State University}}
Category:Southland Conference mascots Category:Nicholls Colonels Category:Nicholls Colonels football Category:Nicholls Colonels men's basketball Category:Nicholls Colonels women's basketball Category:Nicholls Colonels softball Category:Mascots introduced in 1962