Baylor University

===Mascots===
Baylor's mascot is the [[American black bear]]. The university had two live bears on campus named Joy and Lady, each bearing the title of Judge in honor of the first live mascot. Joy died on July 18, 2022, and Lady became a graduate of the class of 2023, officially retiring to a brand new facility off campus. The university announced in May 2023 that it was welcoming two new bear cubs to campus, cousins named Indy and Belle. The name "Indy" comes from "Independence", the town of Baylor's founding, and "Belle" pulls from the Carillon bells on campus. Like the past living mascots, they will reside on campus.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fogleman |first1=Lori |title=Baylor University Mourns Passing of Baylor Bear Mascot Judge "Joy" Reynolds |url=https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=229605 |website=Baylor University |date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=Baylor® University |access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> The school's costumed mascots are Bruiser and Marigold.

Although Baylor began intercollegiate athletic competition in the 1890s, students did not elect the university's mascot until 1914.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylorbears.com/trads/bay-bearname-mascot.html |title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Traditions |publisher=BaylorBears.com |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207215401/http://www.baylorbears.com/trads/bay-bearname-mascot.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The other two dozen nominees included the bald eagle and the bookworm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/bear/index.php?id=18243 |title=Baylor University &#124;&#124; Bear Program &#124;&#124; Mascot History |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=December 14, 1914 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310173528/http://www.baylor.edu/bear/index.php?id=18243 |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three years later, the 107th Engineers, a U.S. Army troop stationed in Waco, gave Baylor its first live bear. The 107th Engineers had found the bear while traveling by train to Waco. After the troop left, the [[Baylor University Chamber of Commerce]] began caring for the animal. The organization still cares for the university's live bears.

One of the most famous Baylor mascots was "Big Joe" or "College Joe" in the 1930s. The bear (originally named Buckshot) was the pet of local businessman Herbert E. Mayr and was known to perform circus tricks and drink from a bottle at Mayr's business.<ref>{{cite news |title=Herbert E. Mayr with "Buckshot" the bear |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1971985/herbert_e_mayr_with_buckshot_the/ |newspaper=Waco News-Tribune |date=October 21, 1928 |access-date=May 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128000929/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1971985/herbert_e_mayr_with_buckshot_the/ |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The bear was housed at The Cotton Palace Zoo after it became too large to keep as a pet and destroyed the backseat of Mayr's car. Due to the expense of food, Mayr transferred responsibility for the bear to Waco attorney Woodie Zachery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/47966911/?terms=big%2Bjoe%2Bmascot|title=23 Mar 1943, Page 1 - at Newspapers.com|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105802/http://www.newspapers.com/image/47966911/?terms=big%2Bjoe%2Bmascot|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later adopted by W.W. Boyd and soon began its 11 years as Baylor's mascot "College Joe." Following its death, the bear was stuffed and given a special display at the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/47967270|title=23 Mar 1943, Page 8 - at Newspapers.com|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190607/http://www.newspapers.com/image/47967270/|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The university's costumed mascot, Bruiser, was introduced at the beginning of the 1981–1982 basketball season.<ref name="baylorbears.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.baylorbears.com/ot/spirit-squad-mascots.html|title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Athletics|publisher=BaylorBears.com|access-date=December 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207215349/http://www.baylorbears.com/ot/spirit-squad-mascots.html|archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The mascot appears at football and basketball events, along with university pep rallies and community events. Bruiser also travels with the basketball team to games for the Big 12 Basketball Tournament, NIT and NCAA Tournaments.<ref name="baylorbears.com"/>