The Bruin - University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA - School Mascots on Waymarking.com

This bronze statue of a bear was a gift from the UCLA Alumni Association to mark its 50th Anniversary. Previously, there was no symbol of the school mascot, the Bruin, on campus. The Bruin, walking on all fours, was intended to demonstrate a fluid forward movement symbolizing the ongoing strength and progress of UCLA.

The Bruin stands guard at Bruin Plaza, a popular gathering spot near the center of the campus. It stands beside the JD Morgan Center, home of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame and faces east to the Ackerman Student Union and the ASUCLA Student Store. Thousands of students pass by the Bruin daily on their way to class, as it is also adjacent to Bruin Walk, the main thoroughfare between the residence halls and the central campus.

UCLA originally adopted a bear cub as its mascot and became known as the grizzles. However, upon entering the Pacific Coast Conference, UCLA had to change their mascot because the University of Montana was also the grizzlies. UCLA then adopted the Bruins. The first student mascot, Joe Bruin, appeared in the mid-1960s. In 1967, the first woman mascot, Josephine Bruin, joined Joe as the official UCLA mascot.

During the week before the annual football game with crosstown rivals USC, the Bruin statue is enclosed in a wooden box and groups of students known as the "Bruin Bear Security Force" camp out in Bruin Plaza.

Students have traditionally rubbed the rear paw of the Bruin for good luck during final exams.


source:
A Brief History of Each UC Nickname Mascot

School name: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Artist: B.T. Fitzgerald Year Created/Dedicated: 1984

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