Still the top ‘cat

The University of Cincinnati Bearcat mascot has been voted Cincinnati’s favorite mascot in a Cincinnati Enquirer reader poll, confirming that UC’s beloved Bearcat is still the Queen City’s top 'cat. 

Readers voted the UC Bearcat as the area’s favorite mascot winning with 45.1% of 1,035 votes cast. The Bearcat beat out Xavier’s Blue Blob, the next most popular mascot, along with other team icons including Cincinnati Bengals Who Dey, the Flying Pig, FC Cincinnati’s Gary the Lion and Mr. Redlegs.

Other popular mentions were Florence Y’alls Y’all Star, Rosie Red, Mr. Red and Xavier’s D’Artagnan.

The term “UC Bearcat” dates back to 1914 and seems to have first appeared in the campus newspaper following a football game between UC and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The name was inspired by a cheer and play on words for UC star player Leonard K. “Teddy” Baehr.

A chant created during the game, “They may be Wildcats, but we have a Baehr-cat on our side,” eventually led to the name being memorialized in a cartoon published in the student newspaper following Cincinnati’s win. The cartoon, by John "Paddy" Reece, depicted a bedraggled Kentucky Wildcat being chased by a creature labeled "Cincinnati Bear Cats."

The Bearcat’s birthday is on Halloween. So wishing the mascot a Happy Spooky B-Day. UC has a live mascot as well, a binturong named Lucille. She’s the fourth in a line of Cincinnati Zoo binturongs — first was Bo, then Alice and Lucy, who died in 2021.

"How passionate are you about the University of Cincinnati?" asks Chris Helmers, the UC Bearcat mascot coach, when looking for students to wear the mascot suit. “We are looking for someone who is a diehard Bearcat fan.” 

Bearcat’s high-energy antics are designed to entertain while revving up school spirit during any sports event.  

But the Bearcat mascot is also in demand for so many other occasions — official gatherings like the grand reopenings of Siddall and Calhoun residence halls — along with more intimate moments like birthdays or community events like weddings.

The Bearcat has visited UC Medical Center to welcome the newest group of Baby Bearcats, led the Homecoming parade along Clifton Avenue, and greeted winners of the university’s Marian Spencer Scholarship program.

So who is the face behind the Bearcat? That's top secret.

The University of Cincinnati Bearcat mascot is a high-energy stand-in for more than 54,000 Bearcat students who bring UC’s school spirit and traditions to life every day.

UC experienced another record year of enrollment this fall and is ready for the next batch of Bearcats.

This weekend marks UC's 100th Homecoming, where the Cincinnati Bearcats will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Nippert Stadium. 

UC offers more than 400 programs and is ranked the nation’s top public university in cooperative education. UC also offers the Bearcat Promise which ensures graduates leave with a degree in one hand and a strong career plan in the other.

If you or a future Bearcat are interested, apply online or plan your visit. 

UC is currently waiving its $50 application fee until Sunday, Nov. 1. The fee waiver is valid for any undergraduate student applicants to all campuses and programs, as well as transfer students.

Read the story about the Bearcat Mascot in the Enquirer.