Sunday, September 23, 2012

Sculptures of Springfield: Spirit - Mascot of WNEU


Interesting Places I've Photographed
Spirit - Mascot of Western New England University
Springfield, MA
Topic: Sculptures of Springfield


GPS: N42° 06.893; W072° 31.188

Quick Description: 

A statue of an Alaskan Kodiak Island Brown Bear, the mascot of the Western New England University, is located near the St. Germain Campus Center building.

Long Description:

In 1976 Henry Bazan, Professor of Management, and founder and former Head Coach of the football team began the "Bring the Bear Home Committee" to install a statue of the schools mascot on the campus of then Western New England College, now Western New England University.
On November 7, 1986, a five-ton, nine-foot, painted, stone replica of an Alaskan Kodiak Island Brown Bear was installed on a knoll next to the Campus Center. Bazan nicknamed the Golden Bear "Spirit". A plaque in front of the bear is inscribed:


THE GOLDEN BEAR

The College mascot, the Golden Bear,
exemplifies the enthusiasm, strength,
and pride of Western New England College.
This statue, fashioned after a Kodiak Brown
Bear which often weighs three quarters of a ton
and towers nine feet when on hind legs,
is the result of individual contributions
and fund-raising efforts conducted between 1977 - 1987
by the football, management,
and marketing clubs of the College.
Dedicated September 19, 1987

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