Thursday, May 15 2008 @ 10:47 AM PDT
Contributed by: oski
Views: 276
Oski. He cavorts along Memorial Stadium sidelines. He hugs kids on Cal Day. He drinks through a straw in his eyehole, a gross but mesmerizing trick. This fall, Berkeley's lovable bear mascot turns 65, with no signs of stopping. Which means, for over six decades, a parade of undergraduates have sweated it out under a stuffy bear head, wool sweater and size-15 tennis shoes. Moreover, they're under a super-duper, heavy-duty, triple-strength oath to keep it a secret from everyone forever and ever. It's enough to make you wonder, as your attention drifts between plays at a Cal football game, what is Oski all about? How did the goofy grin, high-stepping gait, clasped hands and rumors of permanent intoxication become a Cal institution?
The official mascot of the University of California, Oski, has been a tradition at the school since making his debut on September 26, 1941 during the football season-opener against St. Mary's. Prior to his arrival, live mascots were used at Memorial Stadium with varying degrees of success. It was decided in 1940 that a costumed mascot would make a more suitable alternative to a live bear.
Named after the popular turn of the 20th century "Oski Wow-Wow" yell, the Cal mascot is selected by the Oski Committee, a governing body that oversees all aspects of caring for the lovable, 5-foot-7-inch, size 15 tennis shoe wearing Bear. Oski's identity is unknown to everyone, with the exception of the committee.