Oski the Bear
Oski the Bear (Oski) is the official mascot of the University of California, Berkeley ("Cal"), representing the California Golden Bears. Named after the Oski Yell, he made his debut during Cal Football's season-opener against St. Mary's College on September 27, 1941. Prior to his debut, live bears were used as Cal mascots. Oski's name, design, and character were developed by William “Rocky” Rockwell, who was the first student to play the role, and Warrington Colescott, an editor of "The Daily Californian" and famed satirist. Since his debut, Oski's activities have been managed  by the "Oski Committee", which also appoints a new Oski whenever a replacement is required; Oski's identity is protected by the Committee, and wearers of the suit generally do not disclose their identity. To that end, there may be multiple members of the Committee who wear the suit, depending on their schedules. 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. In "Fight for California" and "California, We're for You," he is described as sturdy and mighty. In the song "Golden Bear," Oski "wears a Paderewski hair", referring to Oski's shaggy hair. Oski is described as "Our totem". 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.