Mascot Makeover

Vinny the Bearcat Gets a Fresh New Look

By Jaida Walker, Staff Writer

*Originally published on September 22^nd, 2025

Vincent “Vinny” the Bearcat is everywhere. You can find him at games, walking around campus, and on merchandise from the bookstore. Vinny has been a symbol of Saint Vincent College (SVC) school spirit for a long time. Seen at most home games and pep rallies, Vinny energizes the crowd while also representing the identity of SVC on merchandise and in the media. After years of roaring, pouncing, and cheering, Vinny the Bearcat has traded in his old fur for a fresh new suit — and people are starting to notice.

The new and improved Vinny the Bearcat posing with students. (SOURCE: @saintvincentcollege on Instagram)

According to Liz Palmer, the director of social media and digital content at SVC, the change was primarily functional; the old suit had simply reached the end of its life. While the update to Vinny’s look may seem small, it continues his long tradition of developing to meet the college’s needs.

Vinny’s story goes back nearly a century. According to a 2018 The Review article, “The Bearcats” name was first adopted in 1928, because most Catholic schools at the time used the name “Saints”, and SVC wanted a name that would make it stand out from the crowd. The name was chosen to combine the strength of a bear with the agility of a cat. On this note, Palmer also shared a fun fact: “bearcat” is not just a nickname, but a real animal called the binturong.

  Over the decades, our mascot’s look has changed significantly. Early versions were fierce and even a little intimidating, at one point featuring blood dripping from the mascot’s jaws. Later designs reimagined Vinny to resemble a mountain lion, with the intention of making him appear more approachable and less intimidating to the public. By 2015, Vinny had transformed into the friendlier, family-oriented appearance students recognize today. His green and gold coloration reflects SVC’s school colors, with green representing the college’s Irish American roots and gold symbolizing the campus foliage and sunlight, according to the 2018 The Review article.

Full look at the new Vinny the Bearcat suit. (SOURCE: Walker)

Through every redesign, Vinny has kept the same goal: to light up SVC with his spirit. While Vinny’s newest suit is a functional update, it continues to carry the same energy and pride that have defined the Bearcat for nearly a century, his role as a symbol of SVC remains timeless.