Difference between revisions of "The Bear"
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| − | + | [[Category:History]] | |
| + | Technology Bear (T-Bear, Teebs) is the ferocious, semi-retired mascot of the men's [[Cross Country Running|cross country]] team. | ||
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| + | ==Early Life== | ||
| + | Born in 1978 as a raffle prize won by a WXC freshman, T-Bear quickly became an integral part of the men's xc program. For an in-depth rundown, see [https://sites.williams.edu/cross-country/team-history/the-bear/ T-Bear's page on the old XC site]. | ||
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| + | ==Golden Age & Traditions== | ||
| + | For decades, Teebs would be thrown prior to each race after chants of "bear...Bear...BEAR..." and then caught, bringing fortune for all. After the bear was stollen by MIT and eventually reclaimed (with a giant T across its chest), the bear became known as T-Bear, and a tradition started where other teams would enact cunning schemes to steal the bear. Famous examples include two Amherst runners pretending to be recruits visiting campus and then stealing the bear, as well as Bates once stealing it and burying it in the Maine forest and providing WXC with the coordinates. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Retirement and New Role== | ||
| + | In 2023, new head coach Dusty Lopez '01, after years of increasingly-violent bear thefts (eg. the Mitch Morris '19 incident), T-Bear was given E-Bear-itus status. He remains a key part of WXC tradition, but makes raceday appearances only on the rarest occasions. | ||
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| + | ==The Bear Curse== | ||
| + | Interestingly enough, during the two years in which Men's XC have won nationals, 1994 and 1995, the bear was not present, having been stolen by St. Olaf (?) of Minnesota and not returning until 1996. During that time, Pete Farwell's replacement bear, of a tiny red variety, stood in for Teebs. Curious. | ||
Latest revision as of 13:35, September 26, 2025
Technology Bear (T-Bear, Teebs) is the ferocious, semi-retired mascot of the men's cross country team.
Contents
Early Life
Born in 1978 as a raffle prize won by a WXC freshman, T-Bear quickly became an integral part of the men's xc program. For an in-depth rundown, see T-Bear's page on the old XC site.
Golden Age & Traditions
For decades, Teebs would be thrown prior to each race after chants of "bear...Bear...BEAR..." and then caught, bringing fortune for all. After the bear was stollen by MIT and eventually reclaimed (with a giant T across its chest), the bear became known as T-Bear, and a tradition started where other teams would enact cunning schemes to steal the bear. Famous examples include two Amherst runners pretending to be recruits visiting campus and then stealing the bear, as well as Bates once stealing it and burying it in the Maine forest and providing WXC with the coordinates.
Retirement and New Role
In 2023, new head coach Dusty Lopez '01, after years of increasingly-violent bear thefts (eg. the Mitch Morris '19 incident), T-Bear was given E-Bear-itus status. He remains a key part of WXC tradition, but makes raceday appearances only on the rarest occasions.
The Bear Curse
Interestingly enough, during the two years in which Men's XC have won nationals, 1994 and 1995, the bear was not present, having been stolen by St. Olaf (?) of Minnesota and not returning until 1996. During that time, Pete Farwell's replacement bear, of a tiny red variety, stood in for Teebs. Curious.