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Happy birthday, Colonel Rock IV! Let’s paw-ty!
Western Illinois University mascot Colonel Rock IV, aka “Ray,” will turn five Tuesday, Feb. 14. To celebrate the special day, a birthday party for Col. Rock IV will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the University Union Concourse. Participants can grab a quick photo with the birthday boy, enjoy cupcakes, grab a few freebies and sign Col. Rock IV’s official birthday card.
Western Illinois University Housing and Dining Services will sponsor a hot dog eating contest, and a "Pitch the Paw" contest during halftime of the WIU women’s basketball game at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, and the men’s basketball game at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11.
To commemorate the legacy of the late Col. Rock III (Rocky), who resurrected Western Illinois University s live mascot program when he joined the Leatherneck family on May 18, 2010 as a 16-week-old puppy, Rocky s face is now on an officially licensed and limited edition bobblehead, produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. Col. Rock IV s (Ray) bobblehead was unveiled on Jan. 7, 2022.