In the early 1990's, the Cal student section at football games abandoned the traditional yell leaders that are seen at many schools, with their megaphones and sweaters, because they felt that they neither represented the University of California properly nor did the job of leading the students effectively. In their place the Cal Mic Men were created, a less formal and more original approach to really leading the rooting section. Today the Cal Mic Men are still the student leaders of the rooting sections at all Cal sporting events. In addition they serve as the emcees at rallies and other functions.

Football games in particular are where the Mic Men are a presence. Standing on the spirit boards sporting their trademark ties, the Mic Men address the thousands of students in Memorial Stadium with a microphone. In addition to leading all the cheers from the students, the Mic Men also talk to and joke around with the students, keeping them energetic and enthusiastic throughout the game. The Cal student rooting section is one of the loudest, most creative, and most original of all rooting sections in the nation, giving the Golden Bears a significant home field advantage. The Mic Men also lead the student sections at men's and women's basketball games and anywhere else that a Cal team needs support from the fans.

Men's basketball in particular is a huge responsibility for the Mic Men. The rowdy student section at Haas Pavilion requires all Mic Men working at the same time to lead. Haas Pavilion is nationally recognized as one of the most difficult places for visiting teams to play because of the level of noise and enthusiasm that comes from the student section. Traveling all over the country, the Mic Men will lead Cal rooting sections at all football road games and at basketball tournaments. The Mic Men, well versed in Cal traditions, work closely with the other spirit groups such as the California Dance Team, the Cal Band and Rally Committee to keep Cal spirit and traditions alive and well.

All the Mic Men are full time students who do not receive any unit credit or monetary compensation for the many hours of dedication per week they are required to contribute. The original approach to leading students at games has caught on at other schools and now two other Pac-10 schools, Washington State and Stanford, have created their own version of the Mic Men. Despite the new competition, the abilities of the Cal Mic Men to create energy and spirit in their student sections remains unmatched.