Amherst Culture Sports Williams

The Williams XC Bear

Curious about the bear in our ‘Cac XC graphic?

If you run ‘Cac cross-country and have eyes, you know about the Williams bear. Large, fuzzy, cute and the most highly desired stuffed animal in New England, the Ephs carry take any chance they can to parade their massive bear past their NESCAC rivals at cross-country meets. At one time or another, each school has had its time with this fuzzy friend, forcefully staking their claim with embroidery, clothing (Tufts sewed on an elephant trunk), among other additions, some rather unsavory and distasteful for me to name here.

In my four years as a Lord Jeff runner, we have not had any time with the Williams bear, though not for lack of trying. One of my (female) teammates jumped a Williams boy last year at Little Threes, almost succeeding in wresting the bear from his grasp (though she got dragged about 20 feet in the process, with the multitudinous purple cows herding up to fight her off). Another one of my teammates’ dad, a large, grisly, daredevil of a sixty year old, took up our interest, and though he hardly knew any of our names, this guy charged and jumped into a pile of surprised Eph’s for Amherst’s pride. Though he, too, ultimately failed, I think the majority of us girls considered the scene he created a win.

I am actually unsure where the Williams bear now lives – I heard rumors of him taking a trip up to Hamilton College after DIII nationals. If any of you reading this know of his whereabouts, please tell us – we want to keep track of our favorite ‘Cac cross-country tradition!