Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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19 26 B ISO N 19 26 Origin of the Bison 0 one knows whence it came or exactly when. Everyone realized, suddenly, that a new name had come to Howard University’s gridiron warriors. It was during the season of 1922 when first came a general consciousness that the “Bison” herd and our football squad were one and the same. Countless inquiries till this day have told us nothing of fact concerning this name. Its beginning is cloaked in a mystery seemingly insolvable. But, there is a little story that has connected itself. Of its veracity none can speak. The annals of history have yielded me nothing to enbghten me. Out of the air has come this information. ’Twas soon after the Civil War that the last great Indian disturbances took place and Union troops were sent to quell the uprising. Of the bloody battles fought our histories tell us. Who will ever forget the accounts of General Custer’s last fight? As the legend goes, among the hardy troops there were one or more groups of colored soldiers. And. as have they done, in the recent past, did they acquit themselves in those early days. No soldiers were braver, none more determined, none more valiant and regal in combat than those black troops. In the red man’s eye no living creature was more worthy of admiration and no creature had his respect as did the Buffalo. To him the buffalo was king. When the Indian met and did battle with these newly freed people he learned to respect their military capabilities and to them he gave the appellation “Buffaloes.” In 1920 our varsity football team earned for itself a record that still our rival has not equaled. In 1921 a spirit was born that forever Howard teams will cultivate. In 1922 the “Bison” came to be the symbol of the Howard team. The “Bulldogs,” the symbol in years gone by was no more. A symbol much closer and more meaningful was adopted. This is the extent of my knowledge of the origin. No record in any written form exists. The exact source of the tale is unknown but has passed by word of mouth. Of such stuff are traditions formed. The story, reader you will tell your son and in time he will tell his son. It will become dear and a part of Howard History. The graduating class of 1923 conceived the idea of naming the annual by the symbol of the athletic teams. The first volume of the “Bison” Howard University’s year book was published. Let no man dare change the material evidence of our University’s first attempt at tradition. For tradition is that which stays in the hearts of all college men. Traditions are dear and men love their “Alma Mater” through them and because of them. A University, the spirit of which lives in the hearts of its graduates can never die. The Editor. Page 12