The Oski Yell
Encyclopedia
The Oski Yell is the University of California Berkeley
spirit yell from which Cal's mascot, Oski the Bear
, derives his name. Although Oski appeared in 1941, the yell was first performed around the turn of the 20th century. The yell's origins are uncertain, although the University of Illinois
originated a similar yell in 1911 (with a different last line). The lyrics are:
A parody called Bossy Cow Cow exists at UC Davis
(which was originally established as a farm for the use of Berkeley's College of Agriculture). This variation of the cheer originated in the 1920's:
The Oski Yell is currently rarely heard in the stands, its function overtaken by spirit songs such as "Big C," "Fight for California," and "Sons of California." It can still be heard thundering from the Greek Theatre
on friday nights before the Big Game
at the annual Big Game Rally.
Bossy Cow-Cow, however, is still used today by UC Davis's California Aggie Marching Band-uh!
of the Canadian Football League
. In 1968, it was the subject of a National Film Board of Canada
documentary Oskee Wee Wee. The team is located in Hamilton
, Ontario
.
This Oskie Yell was created in the early 1920s by Vince Wirtz, whose version was different. Wirtz developed the choreography of the cheer as performed by Pigskin Pete.
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
spirit yell from which Cal's mascot, Oski the Bear
Oski
Oski or Oski the Bear is the official mascot of the University of California and has been a tradition at the school since making his debut on September 26, 1941 during the football season-opener against St. Mary's. Up until 1941, live bears were used as mascots...
, derives his name. Although Oski appeared in 1941, the yell was first performed around the turn of the 20th century. The yell's origins are uncertain, although the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
originated a similar yell in 1911 (with a different last line). The lyrics are:
- Oski Wow-Wow!
- Whiskey Wee-Wee!
- Olee! Muckie-eye!
- Olee! Berkeley-eye!
- California! Wow!
A parody called Bossy Cow Cow exists at UC Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
(which was originally established as a farm for the use of Berkeley's College of Agriculture). This variation of the cheer originated in the 1920's:
- Bossy Cow-Cow!
- Honey Bee-Bee!
- Oleo! Margarine!
- Oleo! Butterine!
- Alfalfa! Hay!
The Oski Yell is currently rarely heard in the stands, its function overtaken by spirit songs such as "Big C," "Fight for California," and "Sons of California." It can still be heard thundering from the Greek Theatre
Hearst Greek Theatre
The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, known locally as simply the Greek Theatre, is an 8,500-seat amphitheater owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California, USA....
on friday nights before the Big Game
Big Game (football)
The Big Game is an American college football rivalry game played by the California Golden Bears football team of the University of California, Berkeley and the Stanford Cardinal football team of Stanford University. It is typically played in late November or early December...
at the annual Big Game Rally.
Bossy Cow-Cow, however, is still used today by UC Davis's California Aggie Marching Band-uh!
Oskee Wee Wee
The Oski Yell is still in use in a modified form called "Oskee Wee Wee" by Pigskin Pete at games played by the Hamilton Tiger-CatsHamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. In 1968, it was the subject of a National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
documentary Oskee Wee Wee. The team is located in Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
- Oskie Wee Wee
- Oskie Waa Waa
- Holy Mackinaw
- Tiger Cats... Eat 'em RAW!!
This Oskie Yell was created in the early 1920s by Vince Wirtz, whose version was different. Wirtz developed the choreography of the cheer as performed by Pigskin Pete.
- Oskee Wee Wee
- Whiskey Wa Wa
- Holy Mackinaw
- Tigers ... Eat'em RAW!!