Pre and Post-war Bears
In the fall of 1941, with war looming and Owl and Ring disbanded, the Brown Key assumed responsibility for the live bear mascots. The Key promptly purchased a six- month-old Canadian bear and housed him in the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity house. Bruno VII was soon “bearnapped” by Rhode Island State students, prompting a quick response by 150 Brown men who headed to Kingston to retrieve their bear. Through a clever ruse, a three man “espionage squad” learned Bruno’s location by posing as Harvard Lampoon writers seeking a story from the Rhode Island deans, who happily complied. Before the raiding party reached their target however, college officials headed off the impending confrontation, and the bear was peacefully repatriated. Bruno VII is shown in the Rhode Island dairy barn with his Ram counterpart.
Live bear activity returned in 1947. A special one page September 27 issue of the Brown Daily Herald announced the arrival of Bruno VIII, an eight month old cub from Egypt, MA. A collection was taken at the huge rally for the bear’s upkeep. Bruno IX, another Chase Farm bear, arrived on campus in June, 1948. This Bruno attained celebrity status because of his air travels, being the first animal to fly in a plane as a passenger. At Homecoming he is pictured being conveyed in a baby carriage, where he enjoyed his bottle of milk. Bruno IX’s final act was an unforgettable appearance at the Thanksgiving Day game, when he landed at halftime in a helicopter, received citations for his service, drank a milk toast to the crowd, re-entered the aircraft in his crate, and headed for retirement at Roger Williams Zoo, while the crowd sang the Alma Mater. On October 15, 1948 a huge Kodiak Bear was presented to President Wriston by midwestern alumni. “Big Brown’s ” arrival was a national sensation, covered by more than 400 newspapers in 46 states. This original photo taken at Aldrich Field contained the following caption: “OH! FOR A TACKLE LIKE THIS! says Rip Engle, Brown’s football coach, as he and his staff examine Brown’s new big bear, a 9 foot 4 inch Kodiak (stuffed).”
In 1949, Bruno X had the distinction of being the first to occupy the newly-constructed cage under the visitors stands at Brown Field. In spite of the securely locked cage, Rhode Island State students again captured Bruno.
