As with many universities in the United States, Oregon State is named after its home state's official animal. Oregon State's athletic teams were originally called the Aggies. When orange uniforms replaced sweatshirt- gray and tan jerseys, the teams became known as the Orangemen. As a result of renaming the school yearbook The Beaver in 1916, the name Beaver became associated with the school. It is believed that the press, particularly L H Gregorian of the Oregonian, played a role in changing the name. On September 18, 1952, OSU's rally squad introduced Benny Beaver to the student body as a way to revive the school's spirit. “Benny Beaver, the rally squad’s candidate for handsomest man in school, has never been on campus before,” according to the Barometer, the student newspaper. “The animal stands six feet tall, wears vivid orange knickerbockers, a black jersey, and his familiar orange and black rooters lid.” Benny Beaver remains the official mascot of OSU athletic events to this day.