Saint Louis University's Billiken is One of a Kind

The mythical creature represents things as they ought to be and has been the face of Saint Louis University sports since the early 1900s.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Saint Louis University Billiken is consistently ranked among the most interesting and unique mascots in college sports. The mythical creature represents things as they ought to be and has been the face of Saint Louis University sports since the early 1900s. The Billiken was invented by 21-year-old Florence Pretz, a Missouri art teacher, in 1908 and became an international phenomenon, with Billiken-crazy fans collecting dolls, figurines, and other memorabilia.

Why it matters

The Billiken is a unique representation of Saint Louis University's Jesuit values, challenging and preparing students to make the world a better place. As the only university to claim the Billiken as its mascot, it is a source of pride and tradition for the school.

The details

The Billiken has evolved over time, starting as a more impish, rotund figure and becoming more athletic and angular. Today, Saint Louis University students rub the belly of the Billiken mascot on campus for good luck before exams and games. Most stories tie the Billiken to John Bender, a law student who took over coaching SLU's football team in 1910, and his resemblance to the cheery good-luck symbol.

  • The Billiken was invented by Florence Pretz in 1908.
  • John Bender took over coaching SLU's football team in 1910.

The players

Florence Pretz

A 21-year-old Missouri art teacher who invented the Billiken in 1908 and patented the design later that year.

John Bender

A law student who took over coaching SLU's football team in 1910 and was said to resemble the Billiken, the team's cheery good-luck symbol.

Saint Louis University

A Catholic research institution founded in 1818, known for its Jesuit values and pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River.

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What they’re saying

“Most mascots are animals – tigers and bears and lions – but we have the Billiken. He is 100 percent unique. He's ours. We are the only university to have the Billiken, and that's really special.”

— Katie Mascari, SLU archivist (slu.edu)

“At SLU, we take our Jesuit values very seriously. We send our students out into the world to make it a better place, to make it as it ought to be, so it's really special to have the Billiken reflect those values in a really unique way.”

— Katie Mascari, SLU archivist (slu.edu)

The takeaway

The Billiken, Saint Louis University's unique and iconic mascot, represents the school's Jesuit values and commitment to making the world a better place. As the only university to claim the Billiken, it is a source of pride and tradition that has evolved over the decades, reflecting the university's pioneering spirit and dedication to its students.