Why did Cincinnati choose Bearcat?

Why did Cincinnati choose Bearcat? The nickname first took hold in 1914 as a salute to a fiery player on the school’s football team. Fullback Leonard K. “Teddy” Baehr impressed UC fans so much during a game against Kentucky, that a cheerleader created a chant that “They may be Wildcats, but we have a Baehr-cat on our side.”

The nickname first took hold in 1914 as a salute to a fiery player on the school’s football team. Fullback Leonard K. “Teddy” Baehr impressed UC fans so much during a game against Kentucky, that a cheerleader created a chant that “They may be Wildcats, but we have a Baehr-cat on our side.”