Bill the Goat is the mascot of the United States Naval Academy. The mascot is a live goat and is also represented by a costumed midshipman. There is also a bronze statue of the goat just inside Gate 1, the main gate to the Academy grounds. This statue also plays a role in "Army Week" traditions.
The Navy Monkey (which was really a gorilla) was the first mascot, which was George Bancroft's favorite animal, and stayed the primary mascot - along with a cat - from 1847 to 1851. The first Bill the Goat appeared in 1893. Currently, Bill XXXIII reigns as the 36th mascot and is the 33rd goat to be named Bill. His backup is Bill XXXIV.
Read more about Bill The Goat: The Early Years, Many Goats, One Mission, The Kidnappings of Bill, Costumed Mascot, Team Bill
Famous quotes containing the words bill and/or goat:
“Its true Ive got no shirts to wear;
Its true my butchers bill is due;
Its true my prospects all look blue
But dont let that unsettle you:”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (18361911)
“But he answered his father, Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!”
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 15:29,30.