The Golden Bear, whose head had been on display in the library’s display case, has officially moved out and will be going into permanent storage in the University Archives soon. If you miss him, please let us know. He can always return to the display case for future exhibitions!

In a previous blog post we looked at the physical manifestation of the school’s mascot, beginning in print in the 1950s-1960s, then as the first costumed mascot appeared on campus in the 1970s. Since then, the Golden Bear has gone through many transformations before becoming the bear we know today, and will likely evolve even more as the years, and decades, continue.

In the 1980s and the 1990s, the Golden Bear could be defined best as cuddly. His fur was soft and golden, his face less fierce. He also began sporting a blue Western New England t-shirt.

The more huggable Golden Bear of the 1980s.

The Golden Bear began to bare his teeth in the 1990s.

As the Athletic Department grew on campus, with a greater variety of teams for both men and women, the Golden Bear’s role became more firmly attached to sports. And because the role of a mascot is to not only represent the school’s student athletes, but also to intimidate the opposing team, the Golden Bear became less cuddly, and more like a bear you’d run away from after encountering in the woods.

This more intimidating Golden Bear we know today retained his golden fur, but gained more teeth, and a furrowed face in a constant state of roaring.

The Golden Bear cheering on the football team, 2014.

The fierce Golden Bear on the floor of the basketball court in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

One question we get asked frequently is whether or not the Golden Bear has, or ever had, a name. There’s no conclusive answer, unfortunately. He likely could have had different names over the years, but nothing was made official, or put down in writing. The closest we have to any evidence of a name is writing on the back of a photograph of the original costume, which reads “ ‘Ursa B. Major’ The Golden Bear.” Other than this single photograph, we haven’t come across anything in the archives that lists a name for the beloved Golden Bear.

If there are any readers out there who have more information about the Golden Bear’s name, please let us know!