What Is the Mascot of UCLA?

The mascot of UCLA is a bear known as Joe Bruin, who appears alongside a female mascot known as Josie Bruin. The Bruin bear has been the mascot of UCLA since 1926.

Originally, UCLA used a live bear as its mascot. However, handling live bears in large crowds was difficult and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum outlawed the appearance of the live bears. In the 1960s, male students began to take turns appearing in costume as “Joe Bruin.” In 1967, the first female student to be the UCLA mascot appeared as “Josephine “Josie” Bruin.” As of 2014, both Joe and Josie appear at UCLA games using costumes designed in 1996.