The first appearance of a live goat at a Naval Academy Football game occurred in 1893 at the Army Navy game of that year. The midshipmen prevailed over the cadets with a 6-3 victory. A goat began being seen more frequently as the Navy mascot from that point forward. Since 1904, the goat has been the only mascot for the midshipmen.
Prior to the goat, the midshipmen had a gorilla (the favorite animal of the founder of the school, George Bancroft) as a mascot. A cat and carrier pigeon have also served as mascots.
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| Bronze Bill the Goat statue just inside Gate 1 at the United States Naval Academy |
Prior to the goat, the midshipmen had a gorilla (the favorite animal of the founder of the school, George Bancroft) as a mascot. A cat and carrier pigeon have also served as mascots.
A tradition among midshipmen associated with the bronze goat pictured above is a "Bill's Balls Run." During this event, a midshipmen will run from the dorm wearing nothing but underwear and hastily apply Brasso to Bill's testicles. Due to this tradition, the statue's marbles are generally found in a polished brass condition.
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