Vassar mascot suits school's spirit

Acacia O'Connor Staff Writer

The Vassar mascot, the Brewer, is a character shrouded in mystery. Well, perhaps mystery is not the right word. Truth is, everyone pretty much knows the origin behind this icon. However, for those of you who have been hiding out in the dark recesses of your dorm or the library, or are maybe just visiting, I’ll give you the Cliff’s Notes.

Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College, was an English philanthropist, businessman and (wait for it…), yes, a brewer (he made beer). On one fine day in 1861, dear ol’ Matthew bought 200 acres of land for just over $400,000 in order to start an all-girls college. He figured if the whole educating women idea fell through, he could always scrap it and build himself a nice new place to mash his barley.

Hence, in tribute to our founding father, the Vassar mascot is the Brewer. Now, Webster defines “mascot” as “any person, animal, or thing supposed to bring good luck,” derived from the French word for sorcerer; all useful things to know if you are ever on Jeopardy. Anyhow, under this definition, the Brewer fulfills its role despite its nonexistent physicality.

The Brewer is definitely way ahead of some of Vassar’s rival mascots, the most original of which include the Saint Lawrence “Saints”, the Russell Sage “Gators,” and the Hunter College “Hawks.” The only schools that took more time coming up with their images of pride and athletic encouragement are Harvard (the “Crimson”) and Marist (the “Red Foxes”).

At least the Brewer instills more fear than the RPI “Engineers” or the Connecticut College “Camels.” Of course, if we really wanted to be super-fierce, we could follow the lead of the Barnard “Lions” or the edgier Mount Holyoke “Lyons.” The list goes on, but you get the idea.

If one were ever seriously looking to replace the Brewer, we might take after the Bradley University mascot: the “Fighting Squirrel”. This would be more than fitting, considering our campus seems to house 99 percent of the North East’s squirrel population.

Love it or hate it, you have to admit that the Vassar mascot is a little, well, weird. Also, there is no real image of the Brewer, just the name left up to your creative imaginings.

Ellie Pomerantz ’08, described the Brewer as “a funny looking man, with a beard and a hat.” And a beer, perhaps? “Maybe…that’s implied.”

Whatever else it is and whether you know it or not, the Brewer is a trademark of Vassar College pop culture.

The Brewer is strange, kind of confusing, not very fearsome, and likes his ale. Hm… not unlike many Vassar students I know. Somehow, I think that even if we could, we Vassar students would never trade in our mascot for just another stupid fighting bird or growling bumblebee.

The Brewer reminds us of our Vassarian roots and for this, we love it… Whatever it is.