Bill the Goat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill the Goat |
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| University | United States Naval Academy |
| Conference | American Athletic Conference |
| Description | Goat |
| First seen | 1893 |
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Bill the Goat is the official mascot of the United States Naval Academy. The mascot is a real, live goat. There is also a student who dresses up in a goat costume. You can also find a bronze statue of the goat, called Navy Bill, at the Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. This statue is part of special traditions during "Army Week."
The first Bill the Goat appeared way back in 1893. Today, Bill XXXVI is the 39th mascot. He is the 36th goat to be named Bill. His backup is Bill XXXVII.
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The Story of Bill the Goat
Goats on Ships
For hundreds of years, ships carried animals like goats. This helped sailors have fresh food during long trips. Goats on British and early American navy ships would eat leftover food. They also provided milk and butter. Did you know the first animal to travel around the Earth twice was a female goat? She sailed with Captain Cook!
There's a cool story about how goats became mascots at the United States Naval Academy. Legend says a Navy ship had a pet goat that passed away. Officers wanted to save its skin to have it mounted later. Two young officers, called ensigns, were taking the skin to a taxidermist. On their way, they stopped to watch a football game at the Naval Academy.
During halftime, one ensign decided to put on the goat skin. The crowd loved it! And guess what? Navy won the game. This fun moment helped start the tradition of having a goat mascot.
How Bill the Goat Began
In 1893, a live goat named El Cid became a mascot for the first time. This was at the fourth ever Army–Navy Game. El Cid was a gift to the students, called Midshipmen, from officers of the USS New York. With El Cid cheering them on, Navy won the game 6–3 against Army. So, the goat became a special part of the team.
In the early 1900s, this popular mascot finally got a name. After a big win against West Point, the goat was led through the train on the way back to the Naval Academy. He stayed with the Midshipmen until they reached Baltimore.
That's when the goat was named "Bill." This name came from a pet goat owned by Commander Colby M. Chester. He was in charge of the Midshipmen from 1891 to 1894. The tradition of Bill the Goat continued even during World War II.
The Living Mascots
Over the years, many goats have served as Bill. Sometimes, accidents happened. For example, Bill XVI and Bill XVII sadly passed away due to accidental poisoning. Other Bills, like Bill XIX and Bill XX, lived long lives and passed away naturally after serving for several years.
Bill XXI was a very successful mascot. He helped the Midshipmen win many games, including a big victory over Brigham Young University. He also helped Navy beat Army twice.
Bill XXXII was a beloved mascot who served from 2001 to 2008. He helped Navy win 12 out of 16 games against other service academies. After his retirement, he lived comfortably on a farm. Bill XXXIII and Bill XXXIV took over as mascots in 2008.
In 2015, Bill XXXV and Bill XXXVI started their training. They became the official mascots after the 2015 Navy–Army game. Sadly, Bill XXXV had to be put down in 2016 due to a health problem.
Kidnapping Pranks
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The Army, Navy, and Air Force academies have a long history of mascot "kidnappings." These pranks are often called "spirit missions." They usually happen before the big Army-Navy football game, where both teams' mascots are supposed to be there. Bill the Goat has been "kidnapped" more than any other mascot, usually by Army cadets.
The first recorded kidnapping of Bill in modern times happened in 1953. Cadets from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point snuck onto the Naval Academy grounds. They found the goat and put him in a car. But their plan was discovered when the goat's horns ripped the car's roof!
The cadets got Bill back to West Point. They showed him off at a big pep rally. However, officials from West Point and even President Dwight D. Eisenhower (who went to West Point) ordered Bill's return. The Army cadets protested, and it was even called the "Goat Rebellion" in newspapers!
The Air Force Academy also joined in the pranks. In 1960, Air Force cadets flew Bill to their academy in a B-26 plane! Naval Intelligence eventually found him. The Air Force superintendent made them return Bill to Annapolis. This event was reported in national news, including Life magazine.
Sometimes, other schools got involved too. In 1964, students from the University of Maryland "stole" Bill. This happened before a very intense game between Navy and Maryland.
In 1992, a formal agreement was made to stop mascot kidnappings. This happened after 17 Navy midshipmen and two SEAL "advisers" took West Point's four mules in 1991. This prank caused a lot of trouble, including Army scrambling helicopters.
However, the truce was broken in 2002. Army cadets again "kidnapped" Bill from the Naval Academy Dairy Farm. They wore Grateful Dead T-shirts as a disguise! Bill was later returned safely.
In 2007, Army cadets launched "Operation Good Shepherd." They "kidnapped" Bill XXXII, Bill XXXIII, and Bill XXXIV. They even made a video of their plan and posted it on YouTube!
In 2012, someone found an Angora goat tied up near the Pentagon. Animal welfare workers rescued it. It turned out to be one of the Bills! No one knew who had tied him up, but it was thought to be related to the Army-Navy game.
In 2015, Army cadets tried to grab Bill in a parking lot. Bill was hurt during the attempt and needed to stay at a vet clinic for a week.
In 2021, Army cadets tried to steal Bill the Goat XXXVII. They only managed to grab Bill XXXIV, who was retired and had only one horn. He was returned safely.
The Costumed Mascot
Besides the real goats, a student dressed in a Bill the Goat costume also attends football games. The live goats usually don't travel far from the Naval Academy. So, the costumed mascot goes to away games by himself.
The Class of 1971 sponsors the costumed mascot. That's why he wears the number 71 on his jersey.
Team Bill
Team Bill is a group of students, called Midshipmen, from the United States Naval Academy. They volunteer to take care of the Bill goats. They also transport them to and from different events. Currently, two Bill goats are cared for by the Midshipmen at a dairy farm in Gambrills, Maryland. The picture shows Team Bill in 2007. They are accepting Bill XXXIII and Bill XXXIV, who were given to the academy by Stacy Barton.
See also
- List of U.S. college mascots
- Military mascot
