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50 years ago in @caseathletics #cwruhistory the Captain's Council and The Observer sponsored a Name the Team contest for the newly merged Case-WRU CWRU football team. Source: Observer, 4-17-1970, CWRU Archives
When response to the contest was disappointing, either the Captain's Council or the football team chose Spartans as the new team name (sources vary)
The earliest identified mascot for the Spartans was a bear, introduced at Homecoming 1979. Source: Case Tech, 10-18-1979, CWRU Archives
The bear remained nameless until spring 1980 when it became C.R. Bear. Source: Observer, 4-24-1980, CWRU Archives
C.R. Bear remained the official mascot through the 1980s. A more spartan-looking mascot began appearing in 1983-84. Sources: Observer, 11-29-1984, CWRU Archives
Depictions of the Spartan logo have varied over time. Left: 1983; Right top: 1997; Right bottom: 2006. Images: 00399D1 & W00157A, CWRU Archives
Students dressed as Spartans have become a regular part of games & other events on campus. Image: Bill Hackenbracht in his 4th year as the Spartan. Source: Retrospect 2002, CWRU Archives
