Image citation: Card stunts started at the Big Game between California and Stanford in 1908, UARC PIC 19
The university's athletic program, known as the California Golden Bears, was officially established in 1882. The first intercollegiate competition involving UC Berkeley students occurred in 1882 when Cal faced off against the University of the Pacific in a rugby-style football game. The Golden Bears have produced numerous Olympians and professional athletes, particularly in track and field, swimming, and rowing, with Cal alumni earning over 200 Olympic medals. The university has played a key role in the integration of women’s sports into collegiate competition, adding women’s programs after the passage of Title IX in 1972. The Big Game against Stanford, first played in 1892, remains one of college football’s oldest rivalries, best remembered for "The Play" in 1982. Over the decades, Cal athletes have contributed to significant moments in sports history, including protests for racial justice and Olympic triumphs, cementing the university's legacy as a hub of athletic and cultural achievement.
Image Citation: Portraits of University of California individuals and groups, UARC PIC 13
Oski the Bear has been the mascot of the University of California, Berkeley since his debut on September 27, 1941, during a freshman rally. Before Oski, UC Berkeley's mascots were live bears, but the logistical and ethical challenges of keeping live animals led to the search for an alternative. Named after the popular campus cheer "Oski Wow-Wow," Oski was created to provide a consistent and engaging representation of the Golden Bear. Over the years, Oski has been brought to life by anonymous students known only as members of the "Oski Committee."
