At Athens State University, tradition runs deep – and no tradition is more spirited than Hebrew the Bear, our proud and playful mascot. Named in honor of the University’s earliest roots as the Athens Female Academy, where “Hebrew” was once part of the curriculum, Hebrew the Bear represents both our history and our pride. Whether he’s rallying around the crowd at campus events, posing for photos, or spreading school spirit in the community, Hebrew brings energy, charm, and a whole lot of Bear pride wherever he goes.
The History of Hebrew the Bear
In 1956, the Athens College Bear mascot costume was created to symbolize the spirit of Athens College, and its long, storied history spans over 60 years. Marlon Alvis was elected to be the first person to serve as the Athens College Bear. Those selected to wear the costume had a reputation of being a good all-around college student. In 1963, it was decided that the Athens College Bear mascot would make an appearance at each of the College’s home basketball games, and in 1965, Eddie Dean painted a fierce, big, blue bear in the center court of the gym floor. Eddie commented, “I tried to make it look as mean as possible, so from the time of the center jump, our opponents would know they’re in for a real fight.”
Notable students who served as the live bear mascot include Stanley Brown in 1964, Tina (Butler) Godbee in the 1980s, Jack Owens in 1997 (whom the athletes referred to as “Jack the Mascot” and “Jack the Bear’s Wrestler”), and Brett Godbee who followed in his mother Tina’s footsteps and wore the costume in the late 2010s.
Costume Evolution
The mascot costume received several makeovers over the years, including new costumes being purchased in the 1980s, 1990s, 2010s, and most recently in 2022. Beginning as a crude bear head and brown jumpsuit years ago, the mascot has evolved into a fierce, yet friendly, black bear with piercing yellow eyes.
One of the most memorable moments in the costume’s history occurred in the late 1990s. After a new costume was purchased, it was stolen when the cheerleaders were on a trip in Montgomery, AL. This led to the purchase of yet another new, improved costume.
Bear Statue Origin
During the 1960s, wealthy Northern students flocked to Athens State in droves due to poor environmental conditions and overcrowding in Northern colleges. During school breaks, many of the students spent their money on trips to various locations, including Gatlinburg, where bear memorabilia was in abundance. During one trip, a fraternity group decided to steal a stuffed bear and put it in front of the gym. After learning about the robbery, local authorities ordered that the bear be returned, and, fortunately, no legal action was taken against the group. With this, the idea to have a bear in front of the gym was born.
In 1966, the Athens College Booster Club, Circle K Club, and various other student clubs and organizations raised money to purchase a life-sized black bear statue for the college. It was purchased in the Great Smoky Mountains and cost around $400 – $500. The fiberglass statue, referred to as “the new mascot,” stood at 5.5 feet tall, was 6.5 feet long, and weighed about 90 pounds. The mascot was kept in front of the Physical Education Center and was presented to students in a special convocation during which the cheerleaders were elected for the coming year and the 1966-67 Golden Bears were introduced to the student body. David Bailey, president of the Booster Club, Don Johnson 1965-66 president of Circle K, and Ed Pratt, succeeding president of Circle K, are credited with bringing the statue to campus.
Gone Missing
After welcoming the bear statue to campus, it didn’t take long for him to disappear. Despite efforts to keep the statue on campus that included installing a chain link fence around it, placing bars across the top of it, and bolting his paws to his stand, Hebrew would frequently turn up missing. Kidnapping the Hebrew statue quickly became a fun, yet occasionally malicious, tradition.
In the 1960s, pledges of Phi Mu were assigned to steal the bear statue after Rush. They kept it until their Christmas open house, and then put him on the president’s porch so that the basketball team would have him back for the season. The sorority’s tradition carried on for many years.
In the 1970s, Florence State University (now University of North Alabama), Athens College’s fiercest rival, kidnapped the statue. After an exhaustive three-day search that included numerous phone calls from Athens College to Florence State, it was found in a vacant field near Florence. In 1991, the bear statue was kidnapped by members of the TKE fraternity who vowed to only return it when Dr. Bartlett performed sufficient community service activities.
Hebrew was kidnapped again on December 5, 1993. A ransom note, accompanied by a picture of a sobbing Hebrew, was sent by the kidnappers detailing the requirements for his release:
- Athens State College faculty had to donate $150 to the bear-nappers charity.
- 150 cans of food had to be donated to local churches.
- Dr. Bartlett had to dress up as Santa for a day, visit classrooms, and give out candy.
The faculty met all of the demands by the deadline, and Hebrew was returned safe and sound, other than a new Greek tattoo on his leg.
Finally, Hebrew was stolen once again by an unknown person or group in 1995, but later returned.
The Statue Today
In 2005, the Hebrew statue was removed from campus and put into storage. At the time, the statue was in poor condition – his front foot was broken off, claws pulled, eye gouged out from the socket, tongue yanked out, holes poked in the fiberglass, and a bullet hole between its eyes. The statue underwent a complete restoration in 2007, overseen by Jerry Bradford, Athens State’s Director of the Physical Plant, and was placed back on campus on the east side of the Sandridge Student Center. The mascot was repainted, repaired, and Bradford painstakingly recreated the bear’s claws by forming a mold from the one remaining claw before its restoration was complete. Sadly, the longstanding Hebrew statue was damaged beyond repair in 2020 in an accident while crews were working on a construction project to the exterior of the Sandridge Student Center. A new Hebrew statue was purchased in 2021 and is proudly displayed in front of the Sandridge Student Center to greet students and campus visitors.
What’s In A Name
Referred to as “Hebrew” today, not much is known about how Athens State’s mascot got his name. According to Dr. Angie Nazaritian, the ministerial students who attended the college in the 1960s named the bear “Hebrew.” However, in 1973, a “Name the Bear” contest was held to name the Athens College Bear Mascot. The person who submitted the winning name was to be awarded a $10 cash prize. It is unclear what submission won the contest, but there is record of some students referring to the mascot as “Ted E. Bear” for a time.
Whatever the name, students have enjoyed having the Bear on campus for decades. And while he no longer cheers on sports teams, he still cheers on students to be and do their best.
