Joe Bruin
Joe & Josephine Bruin | |
---|---|
University | University of California, Los Angeles |
Conference | Pac-12 |
Description | Anthropomorphic Brown bear |
First seen | 1924 |
Joe Bruin is the official mascot of UCLA and is often found with Josephine (Josie) Bruin, a female brown bear. He is a visible and constant on-field presence at UCLA sporting events.
History
Joe Bruin was created for the UCLA sports team in 1924, when students chose to change the name of the team from "Cubs" to "Grizzlies". In 1926 the name was changed again to "Bruins", which had been used alternately with "Bears" for the UC Berkeley team.[1] UCLA used live bears as mascots, which entertained the home crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The bears were given various names, but "Joe Bruin" endured over time. Costumed student mascots have represented Joe Bruin since the mid-1960s. The design for the costume bear changed again in 1996 from a smiling bruin to the current one.[2]
Recognition
Joe Bruin has been on the final team for the Capital One Bowl National Mascot of the Year team four times: 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The contest began in 2002.[3][4]
References
- ^ "Hail, Bruin!". alumni.ucla.edu. Retrieved 2019-12-07.
- ^ "Joe Bruin | UCLA Bruins Mascot". Pac 12 Football Online. Archived from the original on 2016-11-02.
- ^ sportsillustrated.com
- ^ "The Annals of Mascot History". Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-20.