These leathernecks were scheduled to assault Guam. "Rocky the Bulldog" is the costumed athletics mascot for the Western Illinois Leathernecks. "Long Island"s actions at Guadalcanal are mentioned and seen in the movie "Flying Leathernecks". The Western Illinois Leathernecks baseball team represents the university in NCAA Division I college baseball. The "Western Illinois Cheerleaders" are the co-ed cheerleading squad for the Western Illinois Leathernecks. "Colonel Rock" is the live athletics mascot for the Western Illinois Leathernecks. The Leathernecks have appeared in two College Basketball Invitationals. Another memorable role was Vern "Cowboy" Blithe in "Flying Leathernecks" (1951). In the 1951 war film "Flying Leathernecks", John Wayne's character was stationed in Goleta. He is also the older brother of current Western Illinois Leathernecks wide receiver Kyle Robiskie. The leathernecks adapted to street fighting, which was a novelty to them. The leathernecks aggressively patrolled the city streets and crowded alleyways. At Republic he wrote "The Leathernecks Have Landed" (1936). "Flying Leathernecks" was critically received as another example of wartime aerial heroics. The Leathernecks have appeared in three NCAA Division II Tournaments.