Brown Bears Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Mike Martin

Team Mascot: Bruno

Year Opened: 1989

Capacity: 2800

City / State: Providence / Rhode Island

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Ocean State Cup

Rival Team: Providence Friars, Rhode Island Rams, Bryant Bulldogs

Each year Brown competes for the Ocean State Cup against fellow Rhode Island-based schools Providence, Rhode Island, and Bryant. The winner of the all-sports series takes home the Ocean State Cup making every contest between these schools a can’t miss.

Brown Bears Tailgate Guide

Brown Bears Stadium Guide

In Game

A Brown basketball game offers an intimate in-game experience filled with lots of history. The cozy Pizzitola Sports Center seats 2,800 putting your right at the heart of the action no matter where you’re sitting. You’ll also see lots of history on display at The Pitz as the arena is not only home to banners and trophies, but also an entire lobby dedicated to the most famous athlete in school history John Heisman.

The Brown fan base is also fairly impressive when you consider the school’s limited success on the court. Despite the fact Bears have only made the tournament twice in school history, the last of which happened in 1986, you’ll still find plenty of knowledgeable and dedicated fans at any Brown game.

Before or after the game, take some time to explore Thayer Street and Hope Street, which are home to several local shops and restaurants. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, make the short trip to downtown Providence, where you’ll find some of the best restaurants Rhode Island has to offer.

A Brown basketball game is a good experience for anyone who enjoys college sports history and provides an excellent small school atmosphere as well, making it the perfect college hoops road trip for any Ivy League fan.

Things to check out

Brown Bear Statue

Snap a picture with the giant bear statue outside the Pizzitola Sports Center. The statue is a must-see and presents an excellent photo op, so stop by and check it out.

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Heisman Lobby

If you’re a college football fan, then make sure to see the Heisman Lobby. The lobby is dedicated to the namesake of the Heisman Trophy and Brown alumnus John Heisman making it a can’t miss for any college football fan.

Trophy Case

The trophy case at The Pitz features a variety of trophies and awards won by Brown athletics over the years. Check out the trophy case as it’s a must-see for any Brown or college sports fan.

Tournament Banners

Hanging on the wall are banners honoring all of the Bears tournament qualifying teams. The banners celebrate not only the school’s two NCAA Tournament appearances, but also the Bears’ NIT, CBI, and CIT appearances.

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Bruno

Bruno the Brown mascot was originally a live bear. However, since the 1960s the school has had a costumed version that appears at Brown athletic events. The lovable mascot can be seen at Brown basketball games, so keep an eye open for him during your trip to The Pitz.

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Fight Songs

  1. “Brown University Alma Mater”

    Alma Mater! we hail thee with loyal devotion,
    And bring to thine altar our off’ring of praise;
    Our hearts swell within us, with joyful emotion,
    As the name of Old Brown in loud chorus we raise.
    The happiest moments of youth’s fleeting hours,
    We’ve passed, ’neath the shade of these time-honored walls,
    And sorrows as transient as April’s brief showers
    Have clouded our life in Brunonia’s halls.

    And when we depart from thy friendly protection,
    And boldly launch out upon life’s stormy main,
    We’ll oft look behind us, with grateful affection,
    And live our bright college days over again.
    When from youth we have journeyed to manhood’s high station,
    And hopeful young scions around us have grown,
    We’ll send them, with love and deep veneration,
    As pilgrims devout, to the shrine of Old Brown.

    And when life’s golden autumn with winter is blending,
    And brows, now so radiant, are furrowed by care;
    When the blightings of age on our heads are descending.
    With no early friends all our sorrows to share; –
    Oh! then, as in memory backward we wander,
    And roam the long vista of past years adown,
    On the scenes of our student life often we’ll ponder,
    And smile, as we murmur the name of Old Brown.

  2. “Ever True to Brown”

    We are ever true to Brown,
    For we love our college dear,
    And wherever we may go,
    (CHEER) WHERE ARE WE GOING?
    We are ready with a beer,
    And the people always say,
    (CHEER) WHAT DO THEY SAY?
    That you can’t out drink Brown men (and women!)
    With a scotch and rye and a whiskey dry,
    And a B-O-U-R-B-O-N.

    (SING LOUDLY the 2nd VERSE)

    (Repeat 2nd verse Playing)

  3. “Brown Cheering Song”

    When Brunonia’s Big Brown Team is in the game,
    And the whole line is fighting to guard her name,
    And the Bear growls like thunder as the backs crash by,
    There’s a killing on the Old Hill tonight.

    Brunonia’s banners are waving in triumph on the hill,
    Brunonia’s cohorts are cheering for the bear has made its kill,
    CHEER (Rah! Rah!)
    This day is Brown’s, Brown’s forever,
    let the vanquished count the cost,
    So rise, rise and cheer, boys,
    till the last white line is crossed.

  4. “Brown Forevermore”

    Our boys are out there fighting,
    Like they’ve never fought before.
    They’re crashing and they’re smashing
    To roll up a glorious score.
    Let’s give our ev’ry effort
    And we’ll help them go to town.
    And we will all be happy
    With a victory for Brown.

    (Sing 2nd Verse – Then Band Repeats Verse)
    Let’s give a cheer for dear old Brown,
    and her team of valiant men,
    We’ll raise our voices to the sky,
    for we will win again,
    We’ll back our team with all our might,
    just to raise a winning score,
    Because it’s fight, fight for Brown boys,
    and for Brown forevermore.

  5. “I’m a Brown Man Born”

    Here’s to good old Brown, drink her down, drink her down.
    Here’s to good old Brown, drink her down, drink her down.
    Here’s to good old Brown, she’s the jolliest place in town,
    Drink her down, drink her down, drink her down, down, down.

    I’m a Brown man born, and a Brown man bred,
    And when I die, I’ll be a Brown man dead.
    For it’s rah, rah, Bruno-nonia, rah, rah, Bruno-nonia,
    Rah, rah, Bruno-nonia, Brown Brown Brown.

    Oh, we beat Harvard and we beat Yale,
    And we tied a knot in the Tiger’s tail.
    For it’s rah, rah, Bruno-nonia, rah, rah, Bruno-nonia,
    Rah, rah, Bruno-nonia, Brown Brown Brown.

    Oh, we beat Dartmouth and we beat Penn,
    But that was back in 1910!
    For it’s rah, rah, Bruno-nonia, rah, rah, Bruno-nonia,
    Rah, rah, Bruno-nonia, Brown Brown Brown.

  6. “KI-YI-YI”

    Ki-Yi-Yi! Come and give a good and lusty
    Ki-Yi-Yi! For our team so tried and trusty,
    Ki-Yi-Yi, boys, come now,
    Give them a good and snappy Ki-Yi-Yi!

    (YELL) ROLL UP!

    (Repeat TWICE – Playing FASTER)

  7. “Brown Bear”

    I hear a cheer ringing loud and clear,
    It brings me back to town;
    It comes from men who are shouting again
    The name of dear old Brown;
    See how they tear through the line,
    That raging Brown Bear varsity;
    You can bet all you got
    That we’re taking a shot
    At another big victory.
    Plunge through that hole!
    Give us a goal!
    Let’s go, Brown Bear, let’s go, wow!

    Brown Bear, we hear you growling,
    Go at them now and bite and scratch and hug!
    In all your victories, we’ll be rejoicing,
    And in defeat we’ll still be backing you the same as ever;
    In after years the yearning, to be returning,
    Just to boost that Bruno series gets us going,
    Our hearts o’erflowing
    To cheer once more as before for dear old Brown!

  8. “Bring the Victory to Brown”

    Keep a-cheering for Brunonia!
    And her mighty team today;
    Stand behind the boys who fight for you!
    Ev’ry man must back the play;
    Bend your might to win the fight
    And beat the vanquished down;
    So give a cheer, cheer, cheer for Bruno’s team,
    And bring the vict’ry home,
    And bring the vict’ry home,
    And bring the vict’ry home to Brown!

  9. “Brunonia (As We Go Marching)”

Brown Bears Bars & Restaurants