Most everyone knows about Baylor University, and its claims to fame as a fine school of liberal arts and journalism. And if your memory is long enough, you might even recall when Baylor was a powerhouse in the SouthWest conference, and fielded many championship teams.
Alas, most of those days are in the past now. But a portion of Baylor history that is not well known is how the mascot, The Baylor Bear, got his name.
During one of the great runs for the Baylor football program, some folks in the athletic department decided to get a real animal for their mascot; so they went out and arranged for a genuine American Brown Bear (appropriately sedated) to walk the sidelines during the games, on a leash. The only bear they could get was an animal that had a slight vision problem (strabismus), but no one seemed to be concerned. (If you didnt know better, staring deep into the Bears gaze, you would swear he had been drinking.)
The idea of a sideline bear was a huge success, and it didnt take long for a hue to go up requesting that the Baylor Bear should have a name. The usual, routine, unimaginative names (Smokey, Fuzzy, Teddy, Gentle Ben, etc .) all came under consideration, and were (of course) all rejected. No name hit a chord.
Now, those who reeeeally knew the Baylor experience were familiar with the fact that the university had a STRONG connection to the Baptist church, and felt that it held itself to a high moral standard. And that was the note that made the old light bulb over the head come on.
So, after a few un-official consultations, the Baylor Bear received his name
They called him Glad Lee .
(((Ok, this is the place where everyone scratches their head, and says, I dont get it. No prob If nobody sorts it out today, Ill post the *groaner* punch line tomorrow See yall soon )))
Alas, most of those days are in the past now. But a portion of Baylor history that is not well known is how the mascot, The Baylor Bear, got his name.
During one of the great runs for the Baylor football program, some folks in the athletic department decided to get a real animal for their mascot; so they went out and arranged for a genuine American Brown Bear (appropriately sedated) to walk the sidelines during the games, on a leash. The only bear they could get was an animal that had a slight vision problem (strabismus), but no one seemed to be concerned. (If you didnt know better, staring deep into the Bears gaze, you would swear he had been drinking.)
The idea of a sideline bear was a huge success, and it didnt take long for a hue to go up requesting that the Baylor Bear should have a name. The usual, routine, unimaginative names (Smokey, Fuzzy, Teddy, Gentle Ben, etc .) all came under consideration, and were (of course) all rejected. No name hit a chord.
Now, those who reeeeally knew the Baylor experience were familiar with the fact that the university had a STRONG connection to the Baptist church, and felt that it held itself to a high moral standard. And that was the note that made the old light bulb over the head come on.
So, after a few un-official consultations, the Baylor Bear received his name
They called him Glad Lee .
(((Ok, this is the place where everyone scratches their head, and says, I dont get it. No prob If nobody sorts it out today, Ill post the *groaner* punch line tomorrow See yall soon )))
....I warned ya....
