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University of Maine - BlackBears |
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University of Maine Traditions
The University of Maine has been here since 1865. Which means we've had
plenty of time to build traditions. Some, such as the school's colors (blue and white) have been here
from the start. But we've picked up a few along the way. Like the Maine Hello. And our beloved, silent
mascot, Bananas the bear. We'd be remiss if we didn't mention The Maine Stein Song -- a musical toast
to "the college of our hearts always."
University of Maine Mascot
The Black Bear has been UMaine's mascot since 1914, when Old Town
police chief O.B. Fernandez loaned a live black bear cub found on the slopes of Mount Katahdin to
the university. He hoped it would bring luck to the football team, which was having a pretty bad year.
In retrospect, bringing a live bear to a football game wasn't such a good idea, but at the time, it
seemed brilliant. As legend has it, the cub made his debut at a pep rally before the Colby game.
When he arrived at the auditorium, the crowd cheered. When he stood on his head, the crowd went --
well, bananas.
Maine went on to kick Colby's white mules. Since the bear seemed to be a good luck charm, an
alumnus gave the university a bear of its own (not some loaner) the following year. He was named
Bananas. The Bananas we all know and love – the human-in-costume version – has been with us since
1969. And the rest, as they say, is history.
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