It’s been five decades since Dave Johnson went to the University of Wichita on a four-year art scholarship, but his ties and loyalty still run deep.

Johnson’s office at Dave Johnson Sales on West Kellogg is adorned with Shocker memorabilia. He’s still friends with WSU basketball legend Cleo Littleton, whose contracting firm is repainting Johnson’s store. And Johnson is always willing to be an ambassador for the university he loves.

This month, as Wichita State celebrates the 60th anniversary of the university’s mascot, WuShock, Johnson’s contributions to WSU also will be honored.

Of course, it looks a lot different now. Johnson’s original design included a ping-pong ball nose that lit up and football pads for shoulders that the head rested on. And he insists the initial color was slightly different than today’s Shocker yellow.

Johnson said he never thought what he created then would still be around 60 years later.

In the beginning...

It all started when Johnson came to the university on a four-year art scholarship. The North High graduate was elected as a cheerleader, and he traveled with the football and basketball teams to their various competitions through the country.

At that time, the university’s athletics program was one of the best in the country. But Johnson felt like something was missing when the team played in the National Invitational Tournament in Madison Square Garden and didn’t have a mascot running around like all the other teams.

That gave him an idea.

“And when I came back I designed a costume,” he said.

Actually, he made two – one for himself and one for his cheerleading partner. They were called WuShock and Shadow. The costumes were made for about $20 each.

“I had a lot of fun with it,” Johnson said. “It was more or less the attitude of WuShock that made it successful.”

Unfortunately, the original WuShock doesn’t exist anymore. After WU hit a last-second shot against rival Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, the hostile crowd went after Johnson.

The only thing left was the head.

Johnson, who was born and raised in Wichita, said being known as the original WuShock is a title he holds proudly.

“I am an avid supporter of Wichita State University,” he said. “I’m proud to be a Shocker.”