Be Part of a Happy, Historic Birthday at the Bearcats Centennial Celebration Today

The University of Cincinnati will celebrate the 100th birthday of the name Bearcats during a special event at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, on the steps of UC’s Tangeman University Center (TUC).

Open to everyone, the Oct. 31 Bearcats Centennial event will include:

• 11 a.m. Kick off by the Bearcat Band
• 11:05 a.m. Opening remarks by Shivam Shah from Student Government
• 11:07 a.m. Remarks from Leonard Robinson, grandson of Leonard "Teddy" Baehr
• 11:12 a.m. Remarks from UC President Santa Ono
• 11:17 a.m. Remarks from UC Board of Trustees Chair Tom Humes
• 11:20 a.m. Singing Happy Birthday to Lucy (the binturong from the Cincinnati Zoo) and the Bearcat mascot, plus cake & cookies (from Servatii) and other free treats 
• 11:20 - 1 p.m. Stop in for treats and giveaways while they last, plus mug for a photo with Lucy the bearcat binturong and the UC Bearcat mascot

The first 500 people to stop by the steps of TUC between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 31 will receive either a commemorative Bearcats Centennial lapel pin or a color-changing cup courtesy of Student Government and the UC Alumni Association.

Student Government Vice President Shivam Shah said pausing to mark the longevity of UC’s name as the Bearcats gives students, faculty, staff and the broader community a chance to celebrate the spirit and pride they have in the iconic brand that represents UC at athletic and academic events worldwide.

“Celebrating the Bearcats name gives us a chance to look back at our rich history and all the accomplishments of the university while also looking forward,” said Shah, a junior in UC’s McMicken College of Arts & Sciences. “Both the Bearcats name and the UC mascot are an integral part of the identity of the university.”

History of the name

The Bearcats moniker was born during a football game on Oct. 31, 1914. The now century-old tale ties directly back to football star Leonard “Teddy” Baehr, whose on-the-field play inspired not only a crucial win but also the team’s very name. 

See the commemorative website UC created to mark this historic occasion and read the complete history of the name. Plus, see a timeline of how the brand has evolved and flip through tons of images that the UC community has shared through social media using the hashtag #BearcatsBirthday.

Complete details and coverage here: www.uc.edu/bearcats