Oski < br > Oski or Oski the Bear ( named after the " Oski Wow - Wow " yell ) is the official mascot of the University of California , Berkeley and has been a tradition at the school since making his debut on September 27 , 1941 during the football season - opener against St . Mary ' s College . Up until 1941 , live bears were used as mascots . Nowadays , the bear ' s activities are overseen by the Oski Committee , which also appoints a new Oski whenever a replacement is required . Oski chugs beer - like liquids through a hole in his right eye , stands at 5 - foot - 7 - inches , and wears a size 15 shoe . Oski ' s identity is protected by the Committee and wearers of the suit generally do not disclose their having worn the suit . There may be multiple members of the Committee who wear the suit depending on their schedules . Oski as presented in Cal fight songs . Oski is mentioned by name in several California fight songs . In the songs , the name " Oski " is used interchangeably with the title " Golden Bear " . Several of the songs give an impression of Oski being a powerful guardian - being dwelling in the heavens , as well as sallying forth from a lair on Earth . Oski is identified as the astronomical constellation Ursa Major ( the Great Bear ) . Although Oski has his benign side ( " patient " and " silent " ) , he is more often presented as growling , fighting , rumbling , grumbling , thundering , and shaking the ground . He is described as sturdy and mighty . It is said of Oski that he " wears a Paderewski hair " , referring to Oski ' s shaggy hair . Oski is described as " Our totem " , and Cal ' s teams ( or perhaps Cal students in general ) are described as sons of the Golden Bear . In one song , Oski is referred to as " He " with a capital " H " , as one refers to the Deity . One song appears to attribute to Oski the ability to fly through the air . These characteristics are seen in the following lyrics of Cal fight songs : Fight for California - - Our sturdy Golden Bear Is watching from the skies ; Looks down upon our colors fair , And guards us from his lair . Big " C " - - Golden Bear is ever watching ; Day by day he prowls The Stanford Jonah - - When our Oski rips through the air . Like our friend Mister Jonah , Stanford ' s team will be found , In the tummy of the Golden Bear . Cal Band March - - And when the game ' s done , California ' s Golden Bear has carried the day . California , We ' re For You - - All our rival ' s hopes are doomed to die , When our Golden Bear looks down on high ; Hear our Oski ' s mighty thunder , Brawn and brain are all in vain Unless our spirit ' s there In ev ' ry son of the Golden Bear . Let the echoes ring our Oski Golden Bear - - Oh , have you seen the heavens blue , heavens blue , When just sev ' n stars are shining through , shining through Right overhead a jovial crew ? They ' re joining hands to make the Bear And oh , that Bear ' s a glorious sight , glorious sight , A - circling ' round the pole all night , pole all night ; And once you ' ve seen him , you ' re all right , You ' ve seen our California Bear . He has a very patient air , patient air , He wears a Paderewski hair , ' rewski hair , He ' s the center rush of the heavens I swear , Our silent , sturdy Golden Bear . A Californian through and through , Our totem , He , the Golden Bear . Make Way for the Bear - - Rumbling , grumbling , loud upon the air , Sounds the growling of the mighty Bear . Californians gather ' round his Lair , And march to Victory . Marching along for California We stride beside the fighting Bear . California Marching Song - - Californians fight with the sturdy might of the growling Golden Bear . Our Oski sounds and shakes the ground As vict ' ry fills the air .