It was weird. For years, one of the biggest universities in the California State system didn't actually have a mascot. Not a real one, anyway. If you walked across the Long Beach State campus back in 2018, you’d see "The Beach" everywhere, but there was a giant, gaping hole where a physical character should have been.
It’s a long story. A messy one, actually.
For decades, the school was defined by "Prospector Pete." He was this rugged, gold-mining figure inspired by the 1849 Gold Rush. But history is complicated. As students and faculty started looking closer at what those 49ers actually did to indigenous populations in California, the vibe shifted. Pete wasn't just a fun guy with a shovel anymore; he became a symbol of something a lot of people wanted to move past. So, in 2018, Pete was retired. He was moved to a less prominent spot, and the search for the new mascot for Cal State Long Beach began in earnest.
It wasn't a quick fix.
Meet Elbee: The Shark That Changed Everything
After a massive vote involving thousands of students, alumni, and staff, the winner wasn't a human at all. It was a shark. Specifically, a Long Beach Shark.
Elbee isn't just some generic ocean predator. The name "Elbee" is a phonetic play on the school’s initials, LBSU (Long Beach State University). It’s clever, kinda cute, and honestly, way more representative of the city's coastal identity than a gold miner ever was. When Elbee was officially unveiled in 2020, it marked a massive shift in the school's branding.
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Why a shark? Well, it’s not just because the campus is a few miles from the Pacific. Cal State Long Beach is actually home to the world-renowned "Shark Lab." Dr. Chris Lowe and his team have been studying great whites and stingrays there for years. The lab is legendary. By picking a shark, the university tied its athletic identity to its actual academic strengths. That’s a rare win-win in the world of college branding.
The Prospector Pete Controversy Nobody Forgets
You can't talk about the current mascot for Cal State Long Beach without acknowledging the drama of the old one. Prospector Pete wasn't just a costume; he was the foundation of "49er" culture at the school. For older alumni, Pete represented grit and the founding of the university in 1949.
But things changed.
The movement to remove Pete was led largely by student activists who pointed out that the Gold Rush era was devastating for California's indigenous people. We're talking about state-sponsored violence and displacement. In a modern, diverse university setting, having a mascot that celebrated that era felt... wrong. To a lot of people, at least.
The school handled it by moving the bronze statue of Pete to a new location near the alumni center, rather than melting it down or hiding it forever. It was a compromise. Some people were furious, calling it "cancel culture." Others felt it was a long-overdue act of respect.
Why the "49ers" Nickname Stuck Around (Sort Of)
Here is where it gets confusing for outsiders. Even though Pete is gone and Elbee the Shark is the official mascot, you’ll still hear people call the teams the "49ers."
Actually, it depends on who you ask.
The university officially identifies as "The Beach." In sports broadcasts, you’ll see "Long Beach State" or "The Beach." However, the "49ers" nickname hasn't been completely banned. It’s just been phased out of the primary spotlight. It’s a weird middle ground where the school is trying to honor its history while sprinting toward a more inclusive future. If you head to a dirtbags game—that’s the baseball team—you’re entering a whole different world of nicknames.
The Dirtbags: A Mascot Within a Mascot
If you think a shark and a prospector are enough to keep track of, let me introduce you to the Dirtbags. This is the official-unofficial nickname for the Long Beach State baseball team.
It started back in the late 80s. Coach Dave Snow took a bunch of players who weren't necessarily the high-profile recruits other schools wanted. They practiced on an all-dirt infield because they didn't have a fancy facility. They played hard, got dirty, and won. A lot.
The "Dirtbag" name stuck. It became a badge of honor. Today, it’s arguably more famous than Elbee. You’ll see "Dirtbags" hats all over the country. It captures that scrappy, blue-collar Long Beach energy perfectly. It’s a reminder that a mascot for Cal State Long Beach doesn't always have to come from a marketing committee; sometimes it grows out of the dirt.
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What Makes Elbee Different?
Elbee is 7 feet tall. He’s gray, he’s got a permanent grin, and he wears a yellow and black jersey. But the design process was actually pretty intense.
The university didn't want a "scary" shark. They didn't want Jaws. They wanted something that felt approachable but still looked like it could hold its own on a basketball court. The final design of the mascot for Cal State Long Beach was the result of months of sketches and feedback.
- The Physique: Elbee is athletic. You’ll see him doing backflips and dancing at the Walter Pyramid.
- The Vibe: He’s meant to be "strong yet friendly."
- The Community: Since his debut, Elbee has become a staple at local Long Beach events, not just games.
Honestly, the transition worked better than most people expected. Usually, when a school changes a mascot, there’s a decade of bitterness. And while some "Gold Rush" die-hards still exist, the student body has largely embraced the shark. It’s hard to stay mad at a dancing shark.
The Practical Side of the Mascot Change
Changing a mascot isn't just about a costume. It’s an expensive, logistical nightmare. Think about every t-shirt, every floor decal, every coffee mug in the bookstore, and every scoreboard across campus.
When the mascot for Cal State Long Beach shifted from the Prospector to the Shark, the school had to overhaul its entire visual identity. This meant new logos, new fonts, and new brand guidelines. They leaned heavily into the "Beach" brand. The colors—black and gold—stayed the same, which helped bridge the gap between the old era and the new one.
The Shark Lab connection was the secret sauce. By leveraging a real, tangible scientific asset on campus, the university made the mascot feel authentic. It wasn't just a random animal chosen out of a hat. It felt like it belonged there.
Why Mascot Changes Matter in 2026
We're seeing this all over the country. From professional teams like the Commanders and the Guardians to small colleges, the era of the "unquestioned mascot" is over.
Cal State Long Beach was actually ahead of the curve in some ways. They chose to have the difficult conversations before they were forced into them by a massive national scandal. They let the students lead. That’s probably why Elbee has been so successful.
If you're visiting the campus today, you won't see much of Pete. You’ll see the "Go Beach" signs. You’ll see Elbee high-fiving kids near the Student Union. You'll see a university that figured out how to evolve without losing its soul.
What to Do If You're Visiting The Beach
If you want to experience the "Mascot for Cal State Long Beach" culture for yourself, don't just look at a statue.
First, catch a game at the Walter Pyramid. It’s one of only three true pyramids in the United States and the home of LBSU basketball and volleyball. The acoustics in there are wild, and it's the best place to see Elbee in action.
Second, head over to the Shark Lab if they’re having an open house. Seeing the real-life inspiration for the mascot makes the whole thing click. It’s one thing to see a guy in a suit; it’s another to see a juvenile great white swimming in a tank while a grad student explains how they track them along the coast.
Lastly, grab some "Beach" gear at the bookstore. The black and gold aesthetic is actually pretty sharp, and it’s a way to support the programs that make the school what it is.
The mascot for Cal State Long Beach is more than just a character. It’s a reflection of a city that’s constantly changing, a history that’s being rewritten, and a student body that isn't afraid to ask for something better. Whether you’re a 49er, a Dirtbag, or a Shark fan, the identity of "The Beach" is stronger now than it’s ever been.
To stay truly connected to the LBSU community, follow the official Long Beach State Athletics social media accounts. They post Elbee's appearance schedule and updates on the Shark Lab’s latest research. If you're an alum, check out the "49er Alumni Association" (yes, they kept the name) to see how you can get involved in the new era of campus life. Don't just watch from the sidelines; the transition to the Shark era is an ongoing story, and there's plenty of room for everyone in the water.