The History of Baylor University Colors: Green and Gold

Baylor University, a private Baptist research university in Waco, Texas, has a rich history spanning over 179 years. Among the many traditions that have shaped the university's identity, the choice of its official colors, green and gold, stands out as a symbol of school spirit and unity. This article delves into the history of Baylor's colors, tracing their origins, evolution, and significance.

The Origin of Green and Gold

In the spring of 1897, Baylor officials entrusted a committee of students with the task of selecting the university's official colors. As the story goes, a group of Baylor students, including two members of the color selection committee, were traveling by train to Bryan for a debate tournament. Inspired by the vibrant green trees and blooming fields of Texas in springtime, they chose green and gold as Baylor's colors.

These colors quickly became an integral part of Baylor's identity. By 1931, they were so ingrained in the university's culture that they were included in the lyrics of the school song, "That Good Old Baylor Line." The lyrics, "We’ll fling our green and gold afar, to light the ways of time," encapsulate the enduring spirit and pride associated with Baylor's colors.

Evolution of the Baylor Logo

In their earliest days, Baylor athletic teams were simply known as "wearers of the B." Over time, the university's logo evolved, with the interlocking "BU" becoming a prominent symbol.

Early Logos

It is unclear whether an early image depicts an interlocking BU, or perhaps a "BV" - maybe for "Baylor Varsity"? However, our earliest known definitive example of the interlocking BU is much clearer. The ornate, almost gothic BU is completely united in the sense that the U surrounds the B, as opposed to the lower right U we know today. The Bear mascot was officially adopted in 1914; it’s possible this image appeared not so long after that seminal moment.

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The Modern BU

In the 1950s, the evolution of our current BU came more clearly into focus. The interlocking BU first began officially appearing on athletic uniforms in the late 1950s. In recent years, the BU has popped up in more and more non-athletic uses, as well. The Baylor Bears logo created in 2005 featured a simple yet strong combination of two letters, “B” and “U” in dark green, outlines in thin yellow. The letters were placed diagonally from the upper left corner to the bottom right, with the “B” set a bit over the “U”. The redesign of 2019 kept the “B” and “U” badges from 2005 almost untouched. The combination remained the same and the main color is still dark green, though it’s a darker and more “expensive” shade. The yellow outline was gone from the badge, and the contours of both letters were cleaned and refined: two small white triangular elements appeared on “B” and “U” between the body and the upper serifs. This trick made the monogram look unique and memorable.

Recent Changes

On Saturday, Baylor Athletics rolled out the new mark - a slightly tweaked version of the iconic interlocking BU - along with a new bear logo, new athletic wordmark, and a host of new uniform looks - during Green & Gold Weekend 2019.

The use of both the hand signal and yell was sporadic until Grant Teaff arrived as Baylor's head football coach in 1972. Teaff initiated a new era of Baylor football, and the "Bear Claw" and "Sic 'Em, Bears" yell came to symbolize pride in Baylor athletics.

Baylor Traditions and Spirit

Baylor University boasts a number of traditions that contribute to its unique spirit and sense of community.

Baylor Line

Established in 1970, the Baylor Line is composed entirely of new students and represents the commitment of the entire Baylor Nation to support and cheer on the Bears. As the leaders of the Baylor spirit, all new students arrive early and stay until the singing of That Good Old Baylor Line after each home football game. All new students represent this great tradition by wearing a football jersey with the number of their graduation year and a nickname on the back. Prior to each home football game, the Line will gather at the south end of McLane Stadium and, led by the cheers of alumni and fans, run onto the field and create an enormous human tunnel to welcome the football team to the field.

Other Traditions

Since the University opened its doors in May 1846, Chapel has been a part of the Baylor experience. Originally a daily requirement for all students, faculty and staff, today students are required to attend two days per week for two semesters. Inspirational, informative and entertaining programs bring an education to students that cannot be learned in a lab or calculated. The programs enjoyed at Chapel and the sacred time shared are significant gifts to the Baylor community.

This annual Christmas celebration brings the sights and sounds of Christmas to campus just before the close of the fall semester. The festivities - which are held along Fifth Street, throughout the Bill Daniel Student Center, the Quadrangle, Fountain Mall and Traditions Plaza - include the lighting of a Christmas tree in the Quadrangle, carols, a live nativity scene, live music, carriage rides, and, of course, pictures with Santa.

This student holiday - also affectionately known for the last few decades simply as Dia - started in 1932 as a way to "bring smiles to the faces of students" by giving them a break from classes. The annual spring holiday gradually became a favorite pastime. Re-organized by the Baylor Chamber of Commerce in 1935, its popularity rapidly grew, and the name of the occasion through the years changed from All University Day to Physical Fitness Day to May Day.

Dr Pepper Hour started out as Matinee Coffee Hour in 1952 when Mrs. Marie Mathis, assistant to the dean of the Student Union Building (now the Bill Daniel Student Center), began to serve coffee every week in the Barfield Drawing Room. The event often featured piano music and board games to allow the Baylor community to socialize and escape the typical school day. In 1953, Mrs. Mathis added hot chocolate, then frosted Coca-Cola when it got warmer outside. Until July of 1997, Coca-Cola was mixed with ice cream for the floats.

For more than 50 years, Baylor has welcomed the families of Baylor students to campus. Beginning as a single day in 1960, this special event has provided a unique opportunity to introduce the University to Baylor parents. By 1970, this event had grown into a full weekend, known as Parents Weekend (now Family Weekend) and featuring a student talent show, a parent and faculty coffee, and a dinner for parents held on the campus grounds.

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For more than 100 years, the Golden Wave Band has been an integral part of Baylor University, but it was not until 1928 that new uniforms inspired its lasting name. That fall, under the direction of Everett McCracken, the Baylor Marching Band introduced its new golden uniforms at a Baylor-SMU football game. The next spring, the 43-member group made a tour of west Texas on behalf of the Greater Baylor Campaign.

In 1978, Jack Chambers, '81, and his dad, Robert W. Chambers, '57, wanted to begin a tradition to celebrate Baylor athletic success, and thus requested that university leaders light the tower of Baylor's Pat Neff Hall green in celebration of Baylor athletic victories. With the assistance of the sophomore class and Herbert H. Reynolds, who was then executive vice president, the Chambers tandem accomplished their goal. Green floodlights were placed on the tower in the fall of 1978.

In November 1909, after six months of planning by faculty and students, large delegations of former students converged on the Baylor campus to participate in a concert, receptions, speeches, class reunions, singing, a parade, a pep rally and a football victory. It was Baylor's first "homecoming" which, except during the later years of World War II, has been an annual tradition and has grown to be the largest collegiate Homecoming celebration in the United States.

Revered cannon in Baylor lore, Samuel Palmer Brooks' Immortal Message to the graduating class of 1931 still stirs and uplifts the spirits of Bears nearly a century later. The message's timelessness, wisdom, and sincerity have imprinted it upon the DNA of the institution.

On the misty-rainy morning of January 22, 1927, a shattering tragedy caused a pall of sadness to engulf the campus and brought national attention to the University. In Round Rock, Texas, shortly before noon on that day, a speeding train smashed into a bus filled with Baylor basketball athletes and supporters. The accident left 10 dead and numerous others injured. To remember those who lost their lives, the names of the "Immortal Ten" are called out every year during Homecoming Week at the Freshman Mass Meeting.

Baylor Line Camp is an extended orientation program that helps better equip new students in their transition to Baylor while emphasizing their personal strengths. Baylor Line Camp generates enthusiasm and excitement for all new students while encouraging them to engage in the Baylor community, invest in longtime traditions, cultivate meaningful friendships, and explore their personal calling.

In the iconic, gold-clad tower of Pat Neff Hall, at the heart of the Baylor campus, resides an instrument of 48 cast bronze bells: the McLane Carillon (pronounced CARE-uh-lahn). Its crowded quarters belie the ubiquitous voice that ties generations of Baylor Bears together.

During World War II, more than 4,000 Baylor men and women served in all branches of the armed forces. By the end of the war, 125 had made the supreme sacrifice in defense of their country - a mortality rate said to be double that of the nation's population at large. To commemorate those who had fallen, red granite lampposts were erected across campus to stand as a guard of honor by day and to illuminate the streets and paths by night. The first group of the granite "honor guards" was dedicated on October 25, 1946. A plaque, engraved with the name of one who died, was attached to every post, and the Baylor chapter of Angel Flight (now, Silver Wings Society) was charged with the responsibility of placing a wreath upon the plaque on the anniversary of each death.

The Senior Ring Out and Passing of the Key Ceremony is an annual tradition at Baylor University that symbolizes the passing of the guardianship of the Baylor spirit from class to class. First held in 1927, the Ring Out Ceremony included only women. Since 1946, Baylor men joined in with the Passing of the Key Ceremony.

Baylor University’s legacy encompasses over 179 years of meaningful traditions.

In 1960, Baylor's yell leaders introduced the "Bear Claw" hand signal, made by slightly curving all five fingers inward to form a claw, and the "Sic 'Em, Bears" yell. The initial reaction to the new traditions from students and faculty was mixed.

Ensembles from 17 organizations competed in the first "All University Sing" on April 25, 1953. First held in the Drawing Room of the Student Union Building, the popularity of the event gradually resulted in its relocation to Waco Hall. Today, throughout all of the changes in style, music, choreography and policies, much of Sing has remained the same.

Baylor students began wearing caps with the year of their anticipated graduation embroidered on them as early as the turn of the 20th century. By the 1940s, the nickname "Slime" was popular for Baylor freshmen. Entering students were required to wear their cap as a symbol of their status, usually with their name and hometown on the bill, which was turned up for others to see.

The Saint John's Bible is the first hand-scripted on vellum, fully illuminated version of the Bible commissioned since the creation of the printing press more than 500 years ago. It was commissioned in 1998 by the Benedictine monks of Saint John's Abbey and University in Minnesota to ignite the spiritual imagination of believers throughout the world and to illuminate the word of God for a new millennium. In 2019, Baylor University acquired a limited Heritage Edition of the Saint John's Bible - the 105th of 299 that were created. The Heritage Edition series features the only full-size, hand-bound, signed and numbered fine art editions that will ever be produced. Each volume measures two feet by three feet, and its 1,115-plus pages include the calligraphy, vibrant imagery and gold and silver foil illuminations handcrafted by artists across the world.

In 1978, Dr. Herbert H. Reynolds, then executive vice president, along with the vice president for student affairs and the director of the Baptist Student Union created Welcome Week to help students better prepare for their experiences at Baylor. The program featured intellectual, physical, religious, social and cultural information and activities.

Since the turn of the century and the rise in popularity of athletic competition, various groups of individuals have led cheers for the Baylor teams. In 1920, the student body officially elected male representatives to lead the school yells, and in 1968, females joined their ranks. Today, Yell Leaders are part of the larger Spirit Squad that consists of Coed Yell Leaders, All-Girl Yell Leaders, the Songleaders, and our mascots Bruiser and Judge.

Athletics

Baylor’s classic colors, green and gold, have been traced back as far as the late 1800s.

The Baylor Bears, founded in 1899, are the athletic teams representing Baylor University. This prestigious athletics program began with football, and over time, has expanded to encompass a diverse range of sports. The Bears have a rich history marked by significant achievements, particularly in basketball, football, and baseball.

In basketball, the men’s team clinched the NCAA championship in 2021, a monumental accomplishment highlighting their prowess. The women’s basketball team has also been extraordinarily successful, securing three NCAA championships in 2005, 2012, and 2019.

In football, the Baylor Bears have been consistently competitive, with notable bowl game appearances and conference championships, including the Big 12 Conference title in 2013 and 2014. Beyond these, Baylor’s baseball team has made several appearances in the College World Series, underscoring their strength in this sport as well.

Currently, the Baylor Bears continue to maintain a strong presence in collegiate athletics, consistently ranking among the top programs in various sports. Their commitment to excellence is evident in the consistent performance of their teams and the development of athletes who often proceed to professional careers.

Baylor Bears is the name of the athletic program from Baylor University, which is located in Waco, Texas. The program features men’s and women’s teams in various sports disciplines, including Football, Golf, Tennis, and many more.

The team, which exists since 1898, competes in Division I FBS college football as a member of the Big 12 Conference. They have played their home games on the McLane Stadium since 2014. The team is coached by Matt Rhule.

The Lady Bears are coached by Kim Mulkey. They won the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship in 2005. The men’s basketball team went through a scandal in 2003 but recovered culminating in three straight postseason appearances (2008, 2009, and 2010).

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