The Oregon State Beavers mascot is a prominent symbol of the Oregon State University, representing the athletic teams and school spirit. The mascot is a beaver—a large, semi-aquatic rodent native to the state of Oregon. The origins of the beaver as the school's mascot can be traced back to the early 1900s. In 1910, a group of Oregon State students proposed that the beaver be adopted as the official school mascot. This was in part due to the presence of beavers in the area and their significance in Oregon's history and natural environment. Since then, the beaver mascot has become an integral part of Oregon State University's identity.
Oregon state beavers mascot
Benny Beaver, the school's official mascot, was adopted in 1952. Benny Beaver was introduced to the student body Sept. 18, 1952, in an effort to pick up sagging school spirit.
Prior to Benny Beaver, there were at least three other mascots. The first was a coyote named Jimmie. In 1909 a second mascot appeared on the scene in the form of Dr. John Bell, a pastor in Corvallis. "Doc Bell" was considered the varsity football squad's mascot because of his steadfast attendance and advising. In 1921 there was an attempt to make a live Beaver, "Bevo" the school mascot, but with little success.
School Colors
Although Oregon State's athletic teams generally wear orange, black and white based uniforms, orange is considered the school's official color.
Nickname
The nickname for Oregon State University is named after the state animal -- the Beaver.
In the early days of the university, Oregon State's athletic teams were known as the Aggies. When orange uniforms replaced drab sweatshirt-gray and tan jerseys, the teams were referred to as the Orangemen.
In 1916, when the school yearbook was renamed "The Beaver," the name Beaver became associated with the school. It is believed the press also had some influence in changing the name, particularly L. H. Gregory of the Oregonian newspaper.
OSU Fight Song
OSU our hats are off to you
Beavers, Beavers fighters thru and thru
We'll cheer for every man
We'll root for every plan
That's made for OSU
Watch our team go tearin' down the field
Men of iron our strength will never yield
Hail, hail, hail, hail
Hail to old OSU
Mascot (Tails) Tales
Even the most disinterested Oregon resident could probably name the mascots for both of Oregon’s major college sports teams. The University of Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers are synonymous not only with sports teams, but with the state of Oregon in general. But, according to local legend and lore, it wasn’t always that way.
In the late 1800s, Oregon was known as “The Webfoot State,” probably as an observation based on the copious amount of rain the region received. Around the start of the 20th century, U0 students began referring to themselves and their yearbook as Webfoots. Several student elections confirmed the Webfoot choice, beating out alternatives as Timberwolves, Lumberjacks, Trappers, Pioneers, and Yellowjackets.
When Oregon unofficially adopted the “Beaver State” nickname in 1909, Oregon students actually changed the name of their yearbook to “The Beaver” for a brief time before reverting to the previous name. The Oregon legislature officially adopted the “Beaver State” nickname in 1969.
H. Gregory, sports editor for The Oregonian in the early 1900s, is generally given credit for the Webfoot nickname for the school’s athletic teams. Area sportswriters then morphed the Webfoots into the Ducks in their headlines and stories, and the nickname stuck.
In the 1920s, students began escorting Puddles, a resident of the nearby Millrace, to athletic contests to serve as the team mascot. Live ducks, perhaps descendants of Puddles, were common spectators at various sporting events until the 1940s, when pressure from the Humane Society put a stop to live mascots.
Oregon’s first athletic director, Leo Harris, made a deal with Walt Disney to use the likeness of Donald Duck as the team’s mascot. Following Disney’s death in 1966, a formal contract granted the University of Oregon the right to use the image. The UO athletic department has not always accepted the Duck image.
Jerry Frei, head football coach from 1966 to1971, wanted Donald to portray the “Fighting Ducks” image with teeth in his bill. Dick Harter, basketball coach from 1971 to1978, wanted nothing to do with the Duck nickname, insisting that his team be called the “Kamikaze Kids” instead.
During the 1890s, Oregon State University was called “State Agricultural College” and the first team mascot was Jimmie the Coyote. OSU archives list the coyote’s owner as M.H. Kriebel, which may suggest the possibility that a live mascot was used.
By 1916, the college had changed its name to Oregon Agricultural College and, perhaps coinciding with the unofficial adoption of a new state nickname, became known as the Beavers. OSU historical documents refer to live beaver mascots with names such as Beavo and Billy.
The live mascot was replaced in the 1940s with a cartoon version nicknamed Benny, whose grinning image was upgraded to the “Athletic Beaver” or “Angry Beaver” in the late 1990s to more accurately represent the athletic teams. In 1951, OSU student Ken Austin began appearing at athletic events dressed as “Benny Beaver,” a tradition that continues today.
From the early 1980s until the mid 1990s, “Bernice Beaver,” a female beaver mascot, joined Benny on the field. During her tenure, Bernice wore a wedding dress at Homecoming games with Benny sporting a tux.
OSU also had a human mascot near the turn of the 20th century in the person of John Richard Newton Bell. Bell, a local Presbyterian minister and ardent OSU supporter, began a tradition of tossing his top hat in the Marys River after each Civil War football victory. The hat tossing social event, which is documented in yearbooks and newspaper archives, grew into one of the most anticipated rituals in Corvallis. OSU recognized Bell in the 1920s, naming its football field Bell Field, used until the early 1950s when Parker Stadium, now Reser Stadium, was built.
Both of these educational institutions have used one of the states’ various nicknames as the name of their athletic teams. We can all be thankful that a name that once graced Oregon license plates, “Pacific Wonderland,” wasn’t pressed into similar service.
Can you imagine the University of Oregon “Pacifics,” or the Oregon State University “Wonders?” No, neither of those names work for me. On second thought, diehard football fans from the 1970s and 1980s might think the “Wonders” moniker might be appropriate. Given the dismal records of both teams during this time, the fans might “wonder” how they managed to recruit anyone to play for them.
OSU reflects on 67 years of Benny Beaver
Benny Beaver watches the baseball game in 1988. The original mascot outfit was created by Ken Austin in 1953.
Melinda Myers, News Contributor
November 19, 2017
Benny Beaver’s history revealed by Ken Austin, original mascot from 1953.
Webbed feet housed in black shoes donned with white laces. A flattened, rudder-like tail. Brown fur covered by a black-and-orange uniform. Buck teeth and a number zero. This is what makes Oregon State University’s mascot, Benny Beaver.
According to Mike Dicianna, the first mascot of OAC (during the 1930s to the end of the 1950s, OSU was known as Oregon State College, and before that, Oregon Agricultural College; it wasn’t until 1961 that the name of the institution changed to Oregon State University) wasn’t even a beaver, but a coyote named Jimmie. The first instance of an OAC Beaver mascot was in the 1920s, when OAC students found Bevo the beaver caught in an eddy in Marys River. Bevo was then adopted as the University’s mascot. The first use of the name “Benny Beaver” was applied to the plaster copy of the original cast metal statue. It was a replacement for a cast metal Beaver statue used by the Yell Kings and Rally Squad in the late 1920s. It was so heavy that it was towed around the field on a small trailer. What happened to the original metal Beaver is unclear, but it was stolen at one point in the 1930s (Ducks were blamed).
Benny Beaver resurfaced in the 1940s as a paper mache statue of OSC’s beaver icon, according to Dicianna. It wasn’t until 1953 when Ken Austin, an engineering student and rally squad member, created the Benny Beaver outfit. He had lost a competition for campus Yell King and created the Benny Beaver costume, Dicianna added.
“My identity was unknown at OSC while being the first Benny Beaver and they would always ask my girlfriend in the stands who was inside that costume when I would come up to her during the games,” Ken Austin said in an email. “My fellow fraternity members all knew I was Benny and would give me a hard time—all part of the fun of being Benny.”
According to Steve Fenk, associate director of athletic communications, Benny Beaver represents OSU’s mission.
“I would say he represents what we represent, a lot of grit and toughness,” Fenk said. “He’s a builder.”
Additionally, Benny Beaver reflects all assets of the University, according to Benny coordinator.
“Benny is literally the entire institution, you know?” Benny Coordinator said. “Benny definitely has certain departments and connections throughout the university that utilize and embrace him more, but we’re expanding his abilities to span across the entire university and state. Benny represents athletics, academia, every direction that OSU goes.”
With Benny Beaver being the official OSU mascot, Austin was able to travel to away athletic events and represent OSU as the mascot.
“I was able to travel with the rally squad to a Stanford game in California,” Austin said via email. “After crawling up the goal post, the Stanford rooting section called me turkey, so the fraternity brothers would chant, ‘Hey, Turkey,’ just like they did at Stanford.”
According to Austin, he was a dedicated OSC athletics fan before his time as an OSU student.
“I think I have bled orange ever since my summer school experience in 1942 when I got to go to the 4-H summer school program at Oregon State College,” Austin said in an email. “I don’t think I missed many OSC football games while I was a student—even traveling to those that I could when they were out of town.”
While attending OSC, Austin competed in track and field.
“I, personally, was involved with athletics from my second term of school all the way through my sophomore year as a quarter miler on OSC’s track team,” Austin said in an email. “I am proud to have lettered in my freshman year in 1950.”
According to the OSU Special Archives, after graduating from OSU as a second lieutenant in the Air Force with his degree in industrial engineering, Austin would serve in the armed services until 1958. He then moved on to various positions until he and his wife, Joan Austin, founded the Austin Dental Equipment Company, or A-Dec, in 1964. The company would gain international reputation as a leader in its field in the years to come.
“It is very humbling. I had no idea, when I set off for OSC, that any of these things would happen,” Austin said in an email. “I’m very grateful to OSU for letting me stay in school with such poor grades.”
Austin approached performing as Benny with no experience whatsoever.
“I had no coaching as to how to perform as Benny because it was so new, but as you can imagine from a recent PBJ interview, I acted more like a rodeo clown than a student mascot,” Austin said via email. “As a matter of fact, the Barometer published an article in 1952, ‘Who is the Student Dressed like a Beaver that Acts Like a Jack Ass?’”
The position of Benny Beaver comes with high expectations according to Benny Coordinator.
“It’s a huge responsibility, but I’m most grateful to be able to work with Benny and athletics,” Benny Coordinator said. “My family is a big athletics family, and I’m from a small town in Southwestern Oregon. I’m thankful I can come here to represent my city and my family.”
According to Austin, he enjoys connecting with the university’s current Benny Beaver.
“It’s always special to be around the current Benny Beaver and have someone introduce me to him/her. I enjoy trying to talk to Benny because they usually will not talk back.” Austin said in an email. “The most special event as the old Benny was when Benny celebrated his 60th birthday on Reser field along with the current Benny Beaver.”
Benny Beaver and other long-term traditions are held sacred at OSU, according to Benny Coordinator.
“I think OSU is very dedicated to traditions for long-time fans, either athletics, alumnus or otherwise,” Benny Coordinator said. “Our goal is to make a place where everyone can feel welcome regardless of age, gender or sex.”
The OSU heritage runs deep into the years past graduation, according to Austin.
“My late wife, Joan Austin, and I have always been very proud to be Beavers,” Austin said in an email. “We were both very grateful for all the things OSU did for both of us. It brings me great pleasure to be able to give back to OSU.”
Ken and Joan Austin have given much of themselves back to OSU programs; Austin Hall is built in their honor and houses disciplines focused on business education, according to the OSU website.
According to Fenk, OSU emulates Beaver behavior when establishing programs, whether it be involved with football, basketball or business.
“You know, like a beaver, you try to build a program,” Fenk said. “You try to build a program like a beaver builds a dam.”
For Austin, his experience as a Benny Beaver alumnus has come with its own unexpected challenges.
“I am sorry to say that when I meet a Beaver alumni for the first time, in certain situations, I have to tell them I have a secret,” Austin said via email. “They ask what the secret is and I tell them I was the first Benny Beaver. It’s amazing how many free desserts I get at restaurants when I have a server that is an OSU Beaver believer.”
Ken Austin’s Benny Beaver tradition has persisted through 67 years of OSU history. With time, however, comes change, according to Austin.
“I’ve seen many changes. Change is inevitable,” Austin said in an email. “I look at it from a positive view that change is good, even though it’s different. Times change.”
Since then, the beaver mascot has become an integral part of Oregon State University's identity. The mascot represents the university's values of perseverance, hard work, and community. It is also closely associated with the university's athletic teams, particularly the football team, known as the Oregon State Beavers.
The mascot is depicted in various forms, including a costumed performer who dons a beaver costume during athletic events. The performer interacts with the crowd, engaging in cheerleading and entertaining fans. The beaver mascot is also featured in the university's logo, merchandise, and promotional materials. The beaver mascot serves as a rallying point for Oregon State University students, faculty, and alumni. It fosters a sense of camaraderie and pride, unifying the community in support of the university's athletic endeavors. The mascot embodies the spirit of the school and its commitment to excellence in academics and athletics. In conclusion, the Oregon State Beavers mascot is a beloved symbol of the university and its athletic teams. It represents the values and identity of Oregon State University and fosters a sense of community and school spirit among students, faculty, and alumni. The beaver mascot is an enduring symbol of pride and unity for the Oregon State University community..
Reviews for "The Legend of Benny the Beaver: How the Mascot Became a Campus Hero"
1. Laura - 2/5 - I was not a fan of the Oregon State Beavers mascot. First of all, I found it to be quite unappealing visually. The costume looked outdated and the beaver's facial expression was not cute or welcoming. Additionally, I felt that the mascot lacked energy and enthusiasm during the games. It didn't seem to engage the crowd or generate any excitement. Overall, I was disappointed with the Oregon State Beavers mascot.
2. Mike - 3/5 - While I didn't hate the Oregon State Beavers mascot, I wasn't particularly impressed with it either. The costume design was alright, but it didn't stand out among other mascots in the league. I also found the beaver character to be quite generic and lacking personality. It didn't bring any unique traits or entertainment to the games. I believe the mascot could use some improvements to capture the attention and enthusiasm of the fans.
3. Rebecca - 2/5 - The Oregon State Beavers mascot left me underwhelmed. It lacked creativity and originality. The design felt uninspired, and the beaver character seemed like a generic depiction of the animal. The mascot didn't contribute much to the team spirit or fan engagement. It simply felt like a formality rather than an exciting and memorable aspect of the games. Overall, I was disappointed with the Oregon State Beavers mascot's lack of charm and uniqueness.
4. David - 1/5 - I was not a fan of the Oregon State Beavers mascot at all. Firstly, the costume design was outdated and appeared worn out. It didn't portray a vibrant and energetic image for the team. Secondly, the movements and actions of the mascot during the games were lackluster. It seemed disengaged and didn't interact with the crowd or bring any excitement. Overall, I was unimpressed with the Oregon State Beavers mascot and felt it could use a complete overhaul.
5. Jessica - 2/5 - The Oregon State Beavers mascot failed to impress me. The costume design seemed outdated and unappealing. It lacked innovation and uniqueness. Additionally, the mascot's performance during the games was lackluster. It didn't exhibit the enthusiasm or energy that one would expect from a mascot. Overall, I found the Oregon State Beavers mascot to be disappointing and in need of improvement to better represent the team and engage the fans.