Blitz the Bearcat is headed for Salem's Riverfront Carousel, hand-carved, football jersey and all.

Willamette University's Class of 1978 is funding the figure as the final addition to the carousel's "New Dream" lineup, which already includes figures representing the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. Alumni Corliss Boehne and Barb Parker, both 1978 graduates, organized classmates to raise the money.

"We decided to promote our alma mater at the Carousel with the gift of the Bearcat figure, and be a part of the greater Salem community," Boehne said. "The Carousel is truly a landmark and one of Salem's treasures."

The design, based on a sketch by artist Donna Miller, will depict Blitz in a Willamette football jersey bearing the number 42, a nod to the university's 1842 founding year. A patch on the uniform will honor Barney Bearcat, Willamette's original mascot who roamed sidelines from the late 1940s through the early 1990s.

Local volunteer artisans will hand-carve and paint the figure. According to the university's announcement, the process can take up to two years. For scale: the carousel's Blackberry the fawn required 1,275 hours of carving and 211 hours of painting.

The Blitz figure will rotate on the carousel's platform at 101 Front St. NE and also be available for display at Willamette University events, according to the university. Marie Bradford-Blevins, the carousel's executive director, said the nonprofit is excited to welcome Blitz to the herd. The carousel, which opened in 2001, is marking its 25th anniversary this year.

The university said Blitz is planned for unveiling in June 2029, timed to the Class of 1978's reunion celebrations.