PAC-12 Schools Mascot Battle Royale
11. Benny Beaver (Oregon State)
Oct 4, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Oregon State Beavers mascot Benny reacts to the win over the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Beavers defeated the Buffaloes 36-31. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Benny Beaver won the 2011 Capital One Mascot of the Year award, but lands 11th overall in the PAC-12 on my list. Benny just looks too darn cuddly and sweet to earn “cool points” in my book.
Benny’s history at Oregon State dates way back to the early 1900’s with references to a beaver back in 1908. The Oregon State yearbook then began to label a mascot as “The Beaver” in the mid-1910’s, but the first blatant wording of “Benny Beaver” came in 1942 next to a statue of a beaver in the yearbook.
Now if you ever are on Jeopardy and they ask about the history of Benny Beaver, I will happily accept half of the winnings due to this history lesson.
Next: Number 10