40
centralight fall '14
Do you remember?
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARKE HISTORICAL LIBRARY
Before 1926 CMU had no official
mascot, but a few students did
dress in a big dragon costume
during the first homecoming
game in 1924. The name was
used for two seasons, but it
didn't stick. Suggestions were
sought for a new mascot in 1927,
and the names of vicious animals
rose to the top because "Central's
mascot should be a brave,
CMU's mascot was the Bearcats
fighting animal that once
roamed the woods of Michigan,"
according to Central Normal Life
that year.
A local business owner
suggested the Bearcats because
it signified a winner and a fighter.
CMU's mascot remained the
Bearcats for 15 seasons until – in
1941 – Coach Lawrence "Doc"
Sweeney suggested a change,
saying the Bearcat doesn't even
exist in Michigan, and the mascot
provides no opportunity for
pageantry.
The name Chippewas was local
and would be a symbol worthy of
respect and pride. A vote occurred
on Jan. 16, 1942, and the mascot
was changed to the Chippewas. •
1927-41
