Lest you think Bill is just a bronze statue on the USNA campus...
Bill is a live goat who is also represented by a costumed midshipman on the field during games. Bill the Goat appeared in 1893. Currently, Bill XXXII reigns as the 35th mascot and is the 31th goat to be named Bill. His backup is Bill XXXIII. Seriously, they are all LIVE goats.
According to Wikipedia, the legend is that in the 1880s ships sailed with livestock in order to provide sailors with fresh food. A Navy ship sailed with a pet goat. The goat died during the cruise. The officers preserved the skin, to have it mounted when they returned to port.
Two young ensigns were entrusted with the skin. On the way to the taxidermist, they stopped by the USNA campus to watch a football game. At half time, one ensign decided to dress up in the goat skin. The crowd appreciated the effort. Navy won the game and never looked back.
Bill is a live goat who is also represented by a costumed midshipman on the field during games. Bill the Goat appeared in 1893. Currently, Bill XXXII reigns as the 35th mascot and is the 31th goat to be named Bill. His backup is Bill XXXIII. Seriously, they are all LIVE goats.
According to Wikipedia, the legend is that in the 1880s ships sailed with livestock in order to provide sailors with fresh food. A Navy ship sailed with a pet goat. The goat died during the cruise. The officers preserved the skin, to have it mounted when they returned to port.
Two young ensigns were entrusted with the skin. On the way to the taxidermist, they stopped by the USNA campus to watch a football game. At half time, one ensign decided to dress up in the goat skin. The crowd appreciated the effort. Navy won the game and never looked back.
"Team Bill" is a team of midshipmen who care for all the goats and their backups. The Bill in this picture resembles Nick. He used to stand like that and stare at me when I was preparing his food.
Bill has been kidnapped a couple of times by Army and the Air Force before key games between the service academies. Army-Navy game is on the first Saturday in December. Always an exciting time around here!
Go Navy! Beat Army!
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