The Legend of the Hills...the Ohio University Bobcat



Posted: Saturday, March 01, 2008

by Michael Angelo Massa, J.D.

Visible for miles in every direction and atop the cupola of one of the residence halls on the Ohio University South Green, sits the stately Bobcat Silhouette. Depending upon the season and time of day or twilight, the Bobcat casts a mysterious shadow over the surrounding Hocking Hills which framing the Ohio University Campus. Its colors enchantingly contrasting with the skies surrounding it, and serving as an enduring yet welcoming site to those who live and visit its magical environs.

Native Legend has it that The Ancient Spirit of the Hills was doomed to eternal sleep when a spell was cast over him, but his ferocious companion, a stealthy bobcat with vibrant green eyes and thick fur was spared such a fate. The Spirit of the Hills now sleeps soundly, belly-up, forming the graceful rise and dips of the glorious Hocking Hills, with the bobcat loyally standing watch over it.

To this day, the confident and devoted bobcat defends its now sleeping giant and all that falls within its shadow, including the Ohio University campus. On most any occasion, day or night, the bobcat can be spotted from every angle on campus, watching over the school and its students.

Legend says that the scrappy mascot permits no harm to come, to those adventurous and brave to enter its environs.

This bobcat's figure encourages us to "Live the Legend of the Hills". Under the bobcat's watchful eye, O-H-I-O will forever be a safe haven for its students, residents and visitors.

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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by John Reckens from Cleveland, Ohio 4 years 3 days ago.
neat story! thanks
» left by CTgirl from Hamden, Connecticut 1 year 82 days ago.
This is a ripoff of the legend of the bobcat in Hamden, CT and the bobcat belongs to Quinnipiac University where it watches over Sleeping Giant!!!! > :( The legend pairs the Native American spirit Hobbamock (whom the nearby Sleeping Giant mountain is said to represent) with a ferocious bobcat who was spared the sleeping curse that the giant received. The bobcat now watches over the sleeping giant as well as Quinnipiac University. Rubbing the Quinnipiac Bobcat Monument by J.C. Dye on the paw is said to bring good luck to visitors, new students, or anyone who is brave enough to touch this ferocious bobcat's paw.
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