UCLA: From Cub Cubs to Champion Bruins - A Mascot Odyssey
Ever wondered what roams the halls (or should we say, struts the sidelines) of UCLA? Forget about cuddly pandas or majestic eagles, UCLA has a mascot with some serious claws - the mighty bruin! But the path to UCLA's furry friend wasn't always smooth sailing. Buckle up, Bruin wannabes, for a mascot tale that's wilder than a Westwood frat party.
From Cub Cubs to Growling Grizzlies
Back in the day, when UCLA was a wee little sprout compared to the mighty redwood it is today, they were known as the...wait for it...Cub Cubs. Yes, you read that right. Not exactly inspiring fear in the hearts of competitors, were they? Thankfully, in 1924, they shed the cubby moniker and embraced the ferocious grizzly bear. Unfortunately, this newfound ferocity landed them in a bit of a grizzly situation (see what we did there?). The University of Montana already had a grizzly mascot, and there can only be one king (or queen) of the grizzlies in the college mascot jungle.
The Bruin is Born (Thanks to Cal Berkeley)
Undeterred, UCLA went on a mascot hunting expedition. From swashbuckling buccaneers to hairy gorillas, the options were as wild as a finals week cram session. Finally, in a twist worthy of a Hollywood movie, arch-rivals UC Berkeley stepped in and saved the day. Yes, you read that right. Berkeley, in a show of sportsmanship (or maybe just happy to get rid of a mascot they weren't that attached to), gave UCLA the rights to the Bruin name. And thus, the UCLA Bruins were born, ready to claw their way to victory!
From Live Bears to Costumed Champions: The Evolution of Joe Bruin
But the Bruin story doesn't end there. Back in the day, UCLA actually had live bears as mascots! Can you imagine the chaos? Imagine trying to explain that roar in the stands to your nervous grandma at the game. Thankfully, for everyone's safety (both human and bear), UCLA transitioned to the iconic costumed mascot, Joe Bruin. Joe, along with his lovely companion Josephine Bruin (Josie for short), are now the faces (or should we say muzzles) of UCLA spirit, cheering on the Bruins to victory.
So there you have it, folks! The UCLA Bruins may not have started out as the most intimidating mascot, but they've clawed their way to the top. Remember, when you see Joe Bruin on the sidelines, you're not just seeing a mascot, you're seeing a symbol of UCLA's fighting spirit and rich history. Now go forth and spread the Bruin pride...just maybe avoid mentioning the whole "Cub Cub" thing.
