Traditions

Golden Bear
In 1895, the University of California track & field team was the dominant power on the West Coast and decided to challenge several of the top teams in the Midwest and East on an eight-meet tour that is now credited by many historians as putting Cal athletics onto the national scene. As a symbol of the University, Regent Arthur Rodgers, class of 1872, commissioned a blue silk banner emblazoned with a golden grizzly bear, the symbol of the state of California. The banner was carried by the team on its successful tour, which saw Cal win five of the eight competitions. Cal athletic fans were so ecstatic over the team’s performance that Professor Charles Mills Gayley was inspired to write the song “The Golden Bear.” Cal’s athletic teams have been known as the Golden Bears ever since.

Blue and Gold
The official colors of the University of California were established at Berkeley in 1868. The colors were chosen by the University’s founders, who were mostly Yale men who had come West. They selected gold as a color representing the “Golden State” of California. The blue was selected from Yale blue. Cal teams have donned the blue and gold since the beginning of intercollegiate athletic competition in 1882.

California Victory Cannon
The California Victory Cannon was presented to the Rally Committee in time for the 1963 Big Game by the class of 1964. It is shot off at the beginning of each home football game, after each Cal score and after each victory for the Golden Bears. Only once, against Pacific on September 7, 1991, did the Bears score too many times for the cannon, racking up 12 touchdowns before the cannon ran out of ammunition. The cannon, which was originally kept on the sidelines, has been mounted on Tightwad Hill above Memorial Stadium since 1971.

Oski - Cal's Mascot
The official mascot of the University of California, Oski, has been a tradition at the school since making his debut during the 1941 football season. 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 "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 Bear. Oski's identity is unknown to everyone, with the exception of the committee.