Judge (mascot)
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Judge is the name given to the bear who serves as the mascot for Baylor University, whose sports teams are called the Baylor Bears. Each bear is named "Judge" in honor of Judge Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor, the university's namesake. Baylor hosts live mascots on campus, the first of which was donated in 1917 by local businessman Herbert E. Mayr after winning the bear in a poker game off members of the 107th Engineer Battalion. The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the all aspects of the program including care, facility upkeep, and training. Currently there are two black bears on campus named Judge Joy Reynolds and Judge Sue Sloan; students affectionally refer to them as Joy and Lady.
The university recently finished renovation of the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat, a $1 million facility which includes a 13-foot waterfall, 3 pools, 2 dens, grass, and eye-level viewing. The facility is a USDA licensed Class C Zoo and is held to the same standards as any other zoological exhibit. Visitors can see the bears up close and learn more about North American black bears. The bear habitat is a favorite spot for visitors and students of all ages.
The inflatable costumed mascot is also called "Judge".
Prior to the 1990's the bears were fed Dr Pepper (originally created in Waco); however, since the sugar is bad for the bears' teeth the practice was stopped.
