Lewis University Retiring 'Bedcheck Charlie' Mascot

ROMEOVILLE, IL — After nearly 70 years, Lewis University's "Bedcheck Charlie" will retire.

The mascot, which is dressed in a red jacket, white scarf and a pilot's helmet and goggles will take on the title of "mascot emeritus," Executive Director for Public Relations and Communications Kathrynne Skonicki told Patch.

Skonicki said the university is updating and refreshing the Lewis University Flyers athletics identity, including logos.

"The goal is to unify and inspire all Lewis University stakeholders around a vision of what it means to be a Flyer via an identity that will take our athletics brand into the future," Skonicki said in an email to Patch. "As a leading NCAA Division II program, we want our new athletics identity to stand out within the highly competitive collegiate sports market and have broader appeal to the next generation of students."

The university will still be "the Flyers," Skonicki said.

The new athletic branding will be revealed this summer and fall.

"Bedcheck Charlie" did a retirement tour at the university this past spring semester, appearing at different school events and athletic events.

According to the university website, "Bedcheck Charlie" was officially adopted as the school mascot in 1964, after receiving permission from cartoonist Milt Caniff.