When
UC Riverside opened in February 1954, it had classrooms, a new
Physical Education Building, and a student body eager to inaugurate
the new school. What it didn't have, however, was a mascot.The
controversy raged throughout the opening weeks of that inaugural
school year as different factions argued over what symbol should
represent the newest UC school. Many wanted a bear symbol that
could compete with the Bruins of UCLA and the Bears of Berkeley,
while others wanted to go in a completely different direction,
demonstrating the independence and uniqueness of the school. A
total of 67 nicknames were initially suggested by the student
body. The names ran the gamut, from the wild (Bearcats, Rams,
Bisons, Badgers, Gorillas) to the uninspired (Rovers, Ramblers,
Possums, Chihuahuas, Valencias). There were colorful names (Red
Raiders, Golden Eagles, Bluejays, Golden Beavers, Orangemen),
names befitting the area’s heritage and environment (Caballeros,
Friars, Vaqueros, Rattlers, Scorpions, Pioneers,) and names that
were, frankly, just weird (Aphids, Rocks, Bondsmen).
An
election in November 1954 saw none of the proposed six nicknames
receive a majority and a runoff vote scheduled. While “Cubs”
was the most popular of the six, many rallied against it because
it showed the campus as a “little brother” to schools
like UCLA and Cal. A write-in campaign, led by the men’s
basketball team, was begun for the name “Hylanders,”
a name suggested by freshman coed Donna Lewis. The name was changed
to its current spelling and won easily. In recognition of her
contribution to the university, Lewis received a lifetime pass
to all athletic events from student-body president Charles Young,
who went on to become chancellor at UCLA.“Highlanders”
fit the campus well for several reasons. The Box Springs Mountains,
which stand behind the campus, were known as the Highlands. In
addition, UCR is the highest elevation campus in the UC System.The
name proved to be a solid compromise, allowing the bear proponents
to make a contribution. UCR Publicity Director Howard Cook had
a friend create an aggressive little bear wearing a kilt for the
school’s logo, and the campus took on a Scottish flare as
buildings were named after Scottish regions.The mascot went largely
unchanged over the years. There was a brief uproar in 1988 when
the athletic department proposed changing the mascot to a human
figure in a kilt, a plan that was quickly scrapped.But change
was inevitable, and it occurred shortly after the 1998 passing
of the referendum that approved the move to NCAA Division I. Much
as they had done years earlier, student-athletes took the lead.
According to Associate Athletic Director Cliff Dochterman, the
student-athletes approached the department administration and
told them that they “didn't want a teddy bear in a dress”
representing the Highlanders. Rather, they wanted a mascot that
“looks like we are going to tear the competition apart.”The
change took time, money and input from a New York based SME Design,
Inc., a logo development company. “The company came in and
did focus groups to get buy in from all the demographic groups
in our community,” Dochterman said. “We did more market
research than probably anything else related to athletics.”Several
logos were designed, including one with a bear featuring a half-blue
face in homage to William Wallace, the Scottish hero and the subject
of the movie Braveheart.The logos help to inspire confidence in
the campus in all areas, not merely athletics. It has strong ties
into a feeling of growing school pride and has become a best seller
at the UCR bookstore.
Every
school in the University of California System has some combination
of blue and gold as their school colors. The colors were selected
for the university by a committee of students at what is now UC
Berkeley in June 1873. Blue was considered because of the sky
and the landscape, the student cadet uniforms, and the number
of Yale graduates who were instrumental in the founding and administration
of the university. Gold was considered because of California’s
designation as the Golden State and the color of many native wildflowers,
such as the California Golden Poppy. Unable to decide between
the two, the committee asked their female classmates to decide.
Student Rebekah Bragg Cummings suggested using both colors, and
the committee agreed.
