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Oklahoma Baptist Bison: Symbolism and Significance

The Oklahoma Baptist Bison are the athletic teams representing Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in intercollegiate athletics. But beyond being just a mascot, the bison holds a deeper meaning for the university and its community.

The Choice of the Bison:

In 1910, OBU founders chose the American Bison as the school mascot for several reasons:

• Strength and resilience: The bison represents strength, power, and resilience, qualities the founders hoped the university’s graduates would embody.
• Service and sacrifice: The bison was a vital resource for Native American tribes, providing sustenance, clothing, and shelter. By choosing this mascot, OBU expressed its commitment to serving the needs of others, just as the bison served the Native Americans.
• Connection to the land: The American Bison is native to North America and played a significant role in the ecological balance of the Great Plains. Choosing the bison as a mascot connected OBU to the land and its heritage.

Visual Representations of the Bison:

• The “Power Bison” logo: This stylized depiction of a bison’s head, with its horns and eyes pointed forward, embodies the strength and determination of the athletic teams.
• “Virtus” sculptures: Two large bison sculptures, named “Virtus” (meaning valor, excellence, character, courage, and worth), stand at the entrance to the OBU campus. These sculptures, made of thousands of welded masonry nails, symbolize the university’s core values and commitment to excellence.
• Gold Star Park: This park on the OBU campus features a memorial honoring the university’s alumni who served in the military. The memorial includes an inscription that reads, “Honoring Bisons ‘Who more than self their country loved and liberty than life'”. This inscription further connects the mascot to the values of service and sacrifice.

Beyond the Mascot:

The bison’s significance extends beyond the athletic teams. It represents the core values of OBU: strength, resilience, service, sacrifice, and a connection to the land. These values are instilled in the university’s students and alumni, shaping them into individuals who contribute positively to society.

Overall, the Oklahoma Baptist Bison is more than just a mascot. It is a symbol of the university’s history, values, and aspirations, serving as a constant reminder of the strength, resilience, and service that are expected from its students and alumni.