The Emergence of the Bear
After T. F. Green’s introduction of the bear, students began to embrace the concept. The yearbook, Liber Brunensis became an important platform for bear images. Drawings by student artists helped gain visibility for the bear symbol in the absence of live bear mascots.
In 1905 the Celebration Committee voted to have a live bear at the Dartmouth football game. Douglas Swaffield ’06 contracted with Roger Williams Park for a bear named Dinks. On game day Dinks refused to leave his cage, but his mate Helen stepped forward to save the day. Helen received a standing ovation as she entered Hampton Park on November 27.
Brown football reached new heights in 1916. On New Year’s Day the 1915 team played in the First Annual Tournament of Roses game in Pasadena. The live bear rented for the occasion was too large to fit in the back seat of the touring car, much to the disappointment of the Brown fans in attendance. In the 1916 regular season the team won eight of nine games, defeating Yale and Harvard in consecutive weeks. Led by All-American Frederick D. “Fritz” Pollard ’19, the Bears achieved their first— ever victory over the Crimson, prompting this dramatic cartoon featuring Bruno chasing John Harvard out of his stadium.
