A photograph of the right side of the face of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows Boxer's eyebrow, nostril, some of the interior cavity of his mouth where incense was likely burned; many cracks and welding scars; and the etched names of students who formerly possessed the statue, including members of Phi Beta Tau (left, including H. Butzloff); Horner; Schieferstein (probably John Shieferstein, Class of 1952); and others.
A close-up photograph of a metal patch on the underside of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on Feb. 25, 2024. The patch was welded onto a missing section of the statue after it was damaged. The patch is etched with the note: "2-1967, L. Jennings [Lance Jennings, Class of 1966]; J. Inmon [Jack Inmon, Class of 196-?]; and G. Suchy [Gary Suchy, Class of 1969]." All three men were members of the Gamma Sigma fraternity, which is known to have had possession of the statue at about that time.
A close-up photograph of the right foot of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. Etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue are visible, including: Gary William (Possibly Gary Williams, Class of 1957); Don Dupuy; and [Ken?] White.
A photograph of the neck and mouth of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image is angled so that the viewer can see inside of Boxer's mouth, showing the tongue, teeth, and a hollow cavity. Also visible are: the remains of the hinge under Boxer's chin, which originally allowed the head to open; extensive damage including a hole extending from the roof of the mouth through Boxer's right cheek; numerous welding marks; and many etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue.
A photograph of the right side of the torso of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows: Boxer's side, covered in scales and lines representing magical flames that are commonly associated with Chinese depictions of qilins; extensive welding scars at the statue's neck and leg joints; and many etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue. Some of the names that are visible include: Lynn Abraham (Class of 1951); Ellis Thompson; Herberts; and RWP.
A photograph of the right side of the spine of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows: Boxer's spine, topped with a crest of scales that have been dented through past damage; lines representing magical flames that are commonly associated with Chinese depictions of qilins; and many etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue.
A close-up photograph of the right side of the face of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows cracks and welding scars, as well as many etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue, including members of Phi Beta Tau (left, including H. Butzloff); Horner; Fisher; and others.
A close-up photograph of a detail from the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows what appears to be the partially broken remnants of a whisker or flame attached to the statue's head. Etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue are visible, including: K. Leek (Kenneth Leek, OD 1959); G. Miller; G. Deshler (Eugene Deshler, Class of 1956); R. Tiedgen (William C. Tiedgen, Jr., Class of 1958); H. Butzloff (Hank Butzloff); and D. Anderson (Duke G. Anderson, OD 1959). Most or all of these men were members of the Phi Beta Tau fraternity in the late 1950s; they apparently etched their names on the statue after their fraternity won possession of it around that time.
A close-up photograph of the left side of the face of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows the many etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue, notably including John Uchiyama (Class of 1939) and "AZ" (Alpha Zeta, a fraternity).
A photograph of the left side of the spine of the original "Boxer" statue, taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows: Boxer's spine, topped with a crest of scales that have been dented through past damage; lines representing magical flames that are commonly associated with Chinese depictions of qilins; and many etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue.
A photograph of the head of the original "Boxer" statue taken on February 25, 2024. This image shows: the left side of Boxer's head; the remains of the original hinge under the neck; numerous welding scars and the broken edges of where the whisker, ear and/or horn were attached; and many etched names and initials of students who formerly possessed the statue.
A photograph of the original "Boxer" statue taken on the day when it was returned to Pacific University on February 21, 2024. This image shows Boxer's left side, with a clear view of the damage that the statue had sustained in past "Boxer Tosses", as well as dozens of marks that past alumni had etched into its side. The statue is flanked by family photographs in the place where it was posed, in the home of alumni John Howard (Class of 1972) and JoAnn Howard (Class of 1974) in Ojai, California.
Pat Costello, the artist who sculpted "Boxer III," posing with his creation. This photograph was taken at a special event for those who helped to conceive, fund and create the new statue, held in Tran Library during Homecoming and Reunion weekend, Oct. 19, 2018. Boxer III was a replica of the university's original "Boxer" statue, which had been missing for nearly 50 years when this event took place.
Pacific University cheerleaders posing with the "Boxer III" statue, just after its official unveiling at a pep rally held on the patio of Washburn Hall on Homecoming and Reunion weekend, October 19, 2018. Boxer III was a replica of the university's original "Boxer" statue, which had been missing for nearly 50 years when this event took place.
Pacific University students, staff and alumni presenting the "Boxer III" statue to the Pacific community. This picture was taken during its official unveiling at a pep rally held on the patio of Washburn Hall on Homecoming and Reunion weekend, October, 19, 2018. From left to right, those pictured are: Adam Louie (Class of 2021), Vicki Lee (Class of 2019), Coach Keith Buckley, President Lesley Hallick, Monica Wolf Marvin (Class of 1968), and Scott Pike (Class of 1968, OD 1970). Boxer III was a replica of the university's original "Boxer" statue, which had been missing for nearly 50 years when this event took place.
Pacific University students, staff and alumni lifting the cover off the "Boxer III" statue during its official unveiling. This event took place at a pep rally held on the patio of Washburn Hall on Homecoming and Reunion weekend, October, 19, 2018. From left to right, those pictured are: Adam Louie (Class of 2021), Vicki Lee (Class of 2019), Coach Keith Buckley (barely visible behind the cover), President Lesley Hallick, Monica Wolf Marvin (Class of 1968), and Scott Pike (Class of 1968, OD 1970).
Three Pacific University alumni and a member of the university's staff examining the newly-unveiled "Boxer III" statue. This photograph was taken at a special event for those who helped to conceive, fund and create the new statue, held in Tran Library during Homecoming and Reunion weekend, Oct. 19, 2018. From left to right, those pictured are: George Kurtz (Class of 1958), Steve Griffels (Class of 1964), Bruce Bishop (Class of 1968), and Zack Wallace, University Advancement officer. Boxer III was a replica of the university's original "Boxer" statue, which had been missing for nearly 50 years when this event took place. Boxer III's back, rarely photographed, is clearly visible in this image.
Pacific University President Lesley Hallick and five Pacific University alumni posing with the "Boxer III" statue. This photograph was taken at an unveiling event in Tran Library during Homecoming and Reunion weekend, Oct. 19, 2018. From left to right, those pictured are: Bruce Bishop (Class of 1968), Bob Dernedde (Class of 1961), Steve Griffels (Class of 1964), George Kurtz (Class of 1958), Jerry Frye (Class of 1961), and President Lesley Hallick. These alumni were among those who conceived and helped fund the creation of Boxer III, which was a replica of the university's original "Boxer" statue. As of 2018, the original Boxer had been missing for nearly 50 years.
Five Pacific University alumni posing with the "Boxer III" statue at an unveiling event in Tran Library during Homecoming and Reunion weekend, Oct. 19, 2018. From left to right, the alumni pictured are: Bruce Bishop (Class of 1968), Steve Griffels (Class of 1964), Bob Dernedde (Class of 1961), George Kurtz (Class of 1958), and Jerry Frye (Class of 1961). These alumni were among those who conceived and helped fund the creation of Boxer III, which was a replica of the university's original "Boxer" statue. At the time this photograph was taken, the original Boxer had been missing since 1969.
The "Boxer III" statue on display in Tran Library at the Pacific University campus on the day of its official unveiling, October 19, 2018. Boxer III was a replica of Pacific University's original "Boxer" statue, a bronze statue that was the inspiration for its mascot. This photograph was taken at a brunch reception for alumni, predominantly from the Class of 1968, who supported the creation of the replica.
An anonymous handwritten note left behind by Pacific University students who took Boxer III from its display case in Tran Library on January 16, 2019. The students, who stated they were trying to "breathe new life into the tradition of the Boxer," returned the statue to the university several hours later, after it became clear that several cameras had captured footage of the removal. The students involved later told a reporter that they "penned the note while wearing gloves and using their non-dominant hand, then sealed it in a plastic bag" (See: "The Boxer Bandits," The Index, Oct. 12, 2023).
Unedited video footage of Pacific University President Jennifer Coyle as she sees, for the first time, the university's original "Boxer" statue on February 21, 2024. The video shows Coyle walking into the home of John Howard (wearing maroon t-shirt; Class of 1972) and JoAnn Howard (Class of 1974 ) in Ojai, California. The Howards had received Boxer from a third party who had possession of the statue for the previous 55 years. Coyle (University President; Class of 1990; OD 1993) sees and holds Boxer for the first time. Coyle was also an alumnus and had heard stories about the statue for decades, but had never seen or touched the original before this recording. Others present in the recording include Bruce Bishop (wearing plaid, Class of 1968); Gary Reynolds (wearing grey, Class of 1972?); and Blake Timm (holding the camera, Pacific's Associate Director of Communications, Class of 1998).
An article from The Index, Pacific University's student newspaper, describing how the Boxer II statue was stolen in March, 2008 just before a planned quiz content would have awarded it to a current student. Boxer II was a replica of the original "Boxer" statue, which was also Pacific University's mascot. There was a tradition of hiding, stealing and fighting over the statue as a symbol of college spirit. Members of the Gamma Sigma fraternity were holding Boxer II and planning to pass it on to current students, but it went missing before the quiz could take place.
Pacific University student Ken Colman (Class of 1984) holding the "Boxer II" statue, probably in 1983 or 1984. Boxer II was a replica of the original "Boxer" statue, which was also Pacific University's mascot. There was a tradition of hiding, stealing and fighting over the statue as a symbol of college spirit. In Colman's memory, the "Men of Mac Hall" (i.e. residents of McCormick Hall) won control of Boxer II around that time period, and this photograph was taken "in the Head Resident’s apartment." This photograph was donated in digital format to the Pacific University Archives in 2025.
