Fetching Mascot Data... Hang tight! 🐾
Fetching Mascot Data... Hang tight! 🐾
187 schools use the "Bearcats" mascot.
Most common states: Texas (33), Mississippi (13), Arkansas (10)
Reviewed by MascotFinder Research Team
Quarterly accuracy check across mascot insights
Data source: MascotFinder School DB · Refreshed regularly
Meet the Bearcats, a mascot that's both tough-sounding and surprisingly cute The term "Bearcat" might sound fierce, but it's actually inspired by a real animal, the binturong, which is neither a bear nor a cat but has a bit of both in its name. The University of Cincinnati popularized this mascot back in 1914 during a football game against the University of Kentucky, when a cheerleader came up with the clever chant "Baehr-cat" to cheer on their star player, Leonard K. “Teddy” Baehr⭐. Today, over 187 schools use the Bearcat as their mascot, and it's especially popular in Mississippi. So, the next time you hear someone roar about their Bearcat pride, you'll know the fun and quirky history behind it 🏆
Hear how the Bearcats fuels school spirit across the MascotFinder community.
“We count 33 programs flying the Bearcats banner across Texas. It is the spark that fills the stands every Friday night.”
Rowan Nguyen
Texas Booster Council
“Per capita, no one rallies like Mississippi. With 13 schools per million residents, the Bearcats is part of daily conversations here.”
Jordan Patel
Mississippi Local Sports Desk
“Students tell us the Bearcats delivers the perfect animal energy—easy to chant, easy to rally behind, and instantly recognizable on social clips.”
Morgan Patel
Regional Pep Collective
Quick answers based on school counts, state coverage, and classification data in our mascot database.
187 schools in our database use the Bearcats mascot across 34 states.
The Bearcats shows up most in Texas (33), Mississippi (13), and Arkansas (10). Ms also has the strongest per-capita concentration of this mascot.
Schools classify the Bearcats as a Animal and Mammal mascot. Programs note that it is often described as cute and known for its tough tone.
High School programs adopt the Bearcats most often (89 schools). Elementary (47) and Middle School (31) also feature this mascot.