Cal's sports teams compete as the California
Golden Bears. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A, and in the
Pacific Ten Conference. The annual football Big Game between the Bears
and their rivals the Stanford Cardinal is the most important game on
Cal's schedule. The winner of this game gains custody of the Axe. The
85th Big Game on November 20, 1982 saw one of the most dramatic
last-minute plays in college football history.
Berkeley's current football coach, Jeff Tedford, has led the team to
some of the most successful campaigns in the school's history. Indeed,
seen on campus, variously, have been shirts saying "Ted Heads," "Tedford
for President," and "Tedford is God."
In 2005, leading Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers, predicted be one of the
first NFL draft picks was passed up until he was picked 24th by the
Green Bay Packers. This, however, is in fact wonderful for Rodgers as he
now gets to train under the illustrious Brett Favre.
Berkeley's main athletic venues, Memorial Stadium and Haas Pavilion,
rank as some of the best college sports facilities in the nation. The
Stadium, built to model the Colosseum in Rome, is consistently ranked as
one of the best views by Sports Illustrated. Haas Pavillion, donated in
part by the owners of Levi-Straus and built on top of the old Harmon
Gymnasium, is considered one of the most intimidating environments for
visiting teams.
Close to Haas Pavillion is Edwards stadium. This is where the Cal track
team practices and competes.
Cal's independent student-run newspaper is the Daily Californian.
Founded in 1871, The Daily Cal became independent in 1971 after the
campus administration fired three senior editors for encouraging readers
to take back People's Park.
The University of California Marching Band has served the university
since 1891, and performs at every football game and many other sports
games and spirit activities. The university also has a Rally Committee,
which is in charge of most aspects of the Cal Spirit.
The official school colors, Yale Blue and California Gold, were
established in 1874. Yale Blue was chosen because most of the original
faculty were Yale University graduates. Gold was selected to represent
the Golden State of California.
The official mascot is Oski the Bear, who first debuted in 1941.
Previously, live bear cubs were used as mascots at Memorial Stadium. It
was decided in 1940 that a costumed mascot would be a better alternative
to a live bear. Named after the Oski-wow-wow yell, he is cared for by
the Oski Committee. The wearer of the costume is kept a secret. It is
the tradition to have the basketball player with the largest feet donate
his shoes for Oski to wear.
