Binghamton has competed in the NCAA since joining the SUNY system in 1950. During the 1946–1950 era, there were no particular affiliations or mascots. When, in fact, they joined SUNY and adopted the new name Harpur College, the school also adopted their first mascot: a donkey named Harpo. In transitioning to SUNY Binghamton, they also developed their athletics program further, adopting the new school nickname and mascot: The red, white, and blue Colonials. With the impending move to Division I, the school adopted the new nickname, the Bearcats, beginning with the 1999–2000 school year. The mascot, Baxter the Bearcat, was unveiled in the fall of 1999.