Baylor Bear Mascots

Another responsibility of the Chamber has been the maintenance of the bear mascots. The first bears were given to the University in 1917, and the Chamber assumed responsibility for them soon afterwards.

The Bear Pit, the greatest physical evidence of the work of the Chamber on the Baylor campus, has undergone a series of renovations. In 1949 and 1953, little cages were added. It was also in 1953 that a special trailer was purchased to transport the mascot to the games. In 1962, another new cage was added to accommodate the growing mascot population.

In 1950, Mrs. Essie Forrester O'Brien wrote a history of the bear mascots since 1914, when the idea of a mascot was first proposed. Sponsored and distributed by the Chamber, The Baylor Bear Mascots chronicled the first live bears, as well as the early trainers. The proceeds of this book were applied to the Chamber's pledge for the stadium fund. In 1969, the pit was again remodeled and the book was revised by Mrs. O'Brien. This time, the proceeds were earmarked for the permanent fund established to maintain the mascots.

The year 1976 marked a complete renovation of the Bear Pit area, as well as the renaming of the area as the Steve Hudson Memorial Bear Plaza.

The current habitat, The Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat, was opened in 2005 and includes many features that make that space more natural for the bears. Features include a waterfall, river, caves, as well as a spacious indoor facility where the bears can spend their nights.

Current Mascots -

Judge Indy (for Independence, Texas. The birthplace of Baylor University)
Judge Belle (for the McLane Carillon bells – housed in the iconic tower of Pat Neff Hall)

Remembering Judge Sue "Lady" Sloan-

Named for Baylor's former first lady Sue Sloan, who is the wife of Dr. Robert Sloan, the 12th President of Baylor.
Lady was born Jan. 31, 2002, at West Coast Game Park in Bandon, Oregon. From the moment she joined her sister at Baylor as a rambunctious 5-month-old cub, Lady captured the hearts of Baylor students, alumni, faculty and staff and more than 250,000 campus visitors a year. Lady loved visits from schoolchildren from throughout Central Texas, who shared in the thrill of meeting Lady and Joy and learning about the Bears' unique mission of stewardship, education and conservation.
Lady loved exploring all corners of the the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat, which provided a natural environment with two separate yards for roaming and enrichment, along with trees, two pools, a stream and waterfall, two caves and a den. It was there that Lady and Joy could be found playing together, swimming in their pools, napping in the shade and foraging for their favorite treats. Lady was particularly fond of apricots and peanut butter as a special treat.
At times it could be difficult to identify the bears with their ever changing coat colors. However, there was a way Baylor fans could tell the difference by observing another of the Bears' natural behaviors - a move that simulated fans' traditional "Bear Claw" hand signal paired with Baylor's "Sic 'em, Bears" cheer. When the Bears raised their paw in a Sic 'em, as bears do naturally when reaching for berries in trees, Lady was the one with her left paw proudly in the air.
Lady and Joy were instrumental in spreading the Baylor spirit and supporting all of Baylor's teams through their growing social media presence on Instagram, which included their popular gameday picks (always Baylor!). Lady and her sister also made numerous national TV appearances on ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS and even on "Jeopardy!" as a question (correctly answered!).
Lady was predeceased by her sister, Joy, and two brothers in California, including one who was an actor that appeared in multiple films and television productions. She also is survived by dozens of Baylor student caregivers within the Baylor Chamber of Commerce, who dedicated themselves to providing Lady with the very best care for nearly 25 years, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including between semesters, on major holidays and regardless of weather conditions.
Memorial contributions to honor Lady's memory and legacy can be made to the Bear Habitat/Mascot Fund at baylor.edu/bear. All donations will support the continued enhancements to the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat, benefiting current Bears Indy and Belle and the future generations of Baylor's Black bear ambassadors.
Opportunities to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Lady will be announced later this year. Cards and letters may be sent to Baylor Bear Habitat, One Bear Place #97074, Waco, TX 76798-7185.
- We extend our heartfelt thanks to President Livingstone for this wonderful tribute to the life of Lady!