txst

It has become tradition at Texas State University to begin conversations, speeches and events with the phrase,

"It's A Great Day to Be A Bobcat!"

Authorized by the Texas legislature in ---, Southwest Texas State Normal School opened its doors in ---. Over the years, we've broadened our scope and changed our name a few times as well:

1899; 1903

The Bobcat has been the mascot of Texas State University since ---

1921

Texas State had no official fight song until ---, when --- was commissioned to compose "Go Bobcats." The song is the rousing "call to arms" for all Texas State athletic games and competition.

1961; Paul Yoder

In --- the Texas State Bobcat was given the official name of "Boko" by ---

1964; Beth Greenlees

Texas State students have used their creativity to give our Bobcat mascot its character. In ---designed the fierce Bobcat athletic logo.

2003; Brad Monk

Founded in ---, the --- is the official student spirit organization of Texas State University Athletics. The group's mission is to promote school spirit both on and off campus and create the best home field advantage possible by ensuring that other teams know "This is Our House."

2004; Loud Crowd

Dedicated in ---, the --- sits on a marble base outside the main entrance of the End Zone Complex at Bobcat Stadium. Everyone entering the complex is encouraged to rub the ball for luck and personal success. The ball was dedicated in the memory of former Athletic Director ---, who is the coach with the most football wins in school history.

2006; Bobcat Victory Ball; Bill Miller

The College bell now rests in the Veteran's Memorial Garden. A new interpretive panel explaining the history of the College Bell (funded by the Texas State Alumni Association) was hung on the bell in November of ---

2008

--- is one of the newest football traditions. Led by the Student Association for Campus Activities (SACA), tailgating Bobcat fans take over the Bobcat Stadium parking lot, making it into an alley filled with maroon and gold before each home football game.

Bobcat Alley

Part of being a Bobcat is giving back to the community. --- is an annual community service day that encourages thousands of Texas State students, faculty and staff to complete hundreds of service projects in San Marcos as a way of saying thank you for the community's continued support of the university.

Bobcat Build

Each year, the Texas State Student Foundation sponsors the --- memorial service. Introduced in the late ---, --- provides the Texas State community with a time to remember and honor Texas State faculty, staff, students, alumni and special friends who died during the preceding year.

Bobcat Pause; 1980s (held every spring)

The --- (formerly the Alumni House) is one of the oldest buildings on the Texas State campus. A German craftsman built the Victorian-style home in 1896 for the Beverly Hutchison family.

Center for Student Retention

The use of a--- during university graduation ceremonies combines symbolic communication with the principle of vested authority at the most sacred of academic celebrations.

Ceremonial Mace

Acquired by students who were veterans of World War II and donated to the University by L.O. Miller, the--- once resided in a masonry bell tower (constructed by the Student Veteran's Association) that sat on the edge of the quad beside Leuders Hall (old Liberal Arts Building) and near Old Main. It signaled class changes from the early 1940's to the mid 1960's. Over time, this bell became a beloved symbol of life on the hill.

College Bell

Mens basketball head coach

Danny Kaspar

The --- Today The event is now an annual favorite during homecoming week and sponsored by the Order of Omega. Registered student organizations build homemade cars and race them against each other. Cars are launched from a large ramp at the top of a hill and stopped by gravity, brakes or, as a last resort, safety hay bales.

Derby

This red-roofed, castle-like landmark was Texas State's first building and the only structure on campus until 1908. Designed by architect---, --- was built in a style known as Victorian Gothic. The building opened in time for the first classes in fall 1903. As other buildings were added, --- served as Texas State's administration building.

E. Northcraft; Old Main

Football headcoach

Everett Withers

The --- are an iconic landmark on the Texas State campus. The area surrounding the 17-foot-high sculpture, on the west end of the Quad, is the university's designated free speech area. Students rub the stallions for good luck before exams.

Fighting Stallions

--- was established in 1925 by the editors of the college's yearbook, The ---, to honor outstanding and accomplished students. At halftime of the homecoming football game each year, the award is given to 12 students. The name of the award was derived from the gaillardia, the official school flower.

Gaillardian Award; Pedagog

Johnson returned to Texas State many times. In 1965, he returned to his alma mater to sign the ---, which opened the doors of higher education to many who could not previously afford it.

Higher Education Act

--- at Texas State is one of the university's longest-running annual traditions. The university plans a week's worth of events for students, staff and alumni, culminating on a Saturday at Bobcat Stadium when the football team hosts another Sun Belt Conference team.

Homecoming

Soap Box Derby History Originally sponsored by the ---, the Soap Box Derby has been held since ---. Dr. Billy J. Hinton, IFC advisor, said of the first event in 1967, "The derby attracted more students than any single activity on campus this semester."

Interfraternity Council; 1967

The Star Today When the water tower was replaced, the tradition was moved to --- Hall, the tallest building on campus. A local sign maker built a new star for the top of Jackson Hall, and the star can be seen from miles away when the Bobcats win athletic events or during graduation.

Jackson

Alma Mater was written by...

Jessie sayers

Director of Track and Field/Cross Country

Jody Stewart

volleyball head coach

Karen Chisum

womens soccer head coach

Kat Conner

The --- was unveiled in September --- and stands in the Quad in front of Flowers Hall. The near life-size statue depicts a young Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th president of the United States, as he may have appeared while a student at Texas State, then known as Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Johnson graduated in --- with a bachelor of science in history with a permanent teaching certificate.

LBJ Statue; 2006; 1930

womens golf head coach

Lisa Strom

Commissioned by the Associated Student Government, the LBJ statue is the work of acclaimed sculptor Lawrence --- of Houston. --- was a fellow in the National Sculpture Society and a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of British Sculptors.

Ludtke

In the 1920s, the owner of the house rented rooms to the college's students. ---, ---th president of the United States, spent time at the house while he was a student here. (Center for student retention)

Lyndon B. Johnson; 36

--- is the end-of-the-year recycling program that encourages Texas State students to donate unwanted items to local families in need.

Pack It Up and Pass It On

After every point scored by the Bobcat volleyball team, the entire crowd chants the words "---" immediately following the announcer's statement of the phrase.

Point Bobcat

Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach:

Randall McCray

softball head coach

Ricci Woodard

A Hundred Years Ago On a hot summer day in 1916, Dr. S.M. "Froggy" Sewell, a mathematics professor, went wading into the brush- and weed-choked San Marcos River. No place was deeper than three feet, and he decided that the university needed a park called...

Sewell Park

Mens golf head coach

Shane Howell

On Fridays throughout the year, the Texas State campus is a sea of maroon and gold. --- are a chance for students, faculty and staff to wear their Texas State clothing on campus to show off their Bobcat Pride. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the tradition, too!

Spirit Fridays

tennis head coach

Tory Plunkett

Baseball head coach

Ty Harrington

Texas State is the only university in Texas to have graduated a --- or vice president. Johnson's memory remains alive on campus through the LBJ Student Center, the university's Lyndon Baines Johnson Distinguished Lecture Series and the LBJ Statue.

U.S. president

Boko has twice been named "---" mascot.

USA National Champion

History Students first saw the --- on campus in December 1936. It was placed as a Christmas decoration on top of a water tower near where the Chemistry Building stands today. After the holidays, the star was taken down. In 1942, a night watchman found it. He placed the star on the water tower and turned it on when the Bobcats won football games, creating a new tradition.

Victory Star

womens basketball head coach

Zenarae Antoine

The --- statue, located between the Taylor-Murphy Building and the Psychology Building, was installed in October ---. The bronze statue was commissioned by the Associated Student Government and created by noted sculptor --- of Friday Harbor, Washington.

bobcat; 2008; Matthew Palmer

The Texas State University ceremonial mace is made of --- with --- bronze accents. The university seal is displayed on gold-plated bronze medals at the top of the mace.

cherrywood; gold-plated

The mace reminds everyone at commencement that --- is one of the most cherished attributes of a free and democratic society.

education

bobcats are known for their stubborn --- and great ---.

fierceness; courage

Texas State's seal features a lone, faceted five-point star embraced by a wreath of --- — symbolizing --- — and ---leaves, symbolizing victory in ---. Both are indigenous to this area and abound on campus.

native oak leaves;strength; laurel; knowledge

Texas State's school colors are maroon and metallic gold, inspired from our school flower — the ----. The flower is sometimes referred to as an "Indian blanket" or "Mexican blanket."

native wildflower gaillardia

The university name encircles the wreath and star, and a rope border symbolizes Texas' ---.

pioneer heritage

The --- is a busy, tree-lined central mall between many major academic buildings on campus. Most students pass through the --- on the way to class. In the ---, student organizations host fundraisers and promote upcoming events.

quad

The Lone Star motif of the Texas State University seal is inspired by ---, which established the university in ---

the Seal of the State of Texas; 1899

Texas State seniors are invited to attend the --- at the end of each long semester. During the ceremony in Strahan Coliseum, family and friends watch as students are given their official Texas State rings. Students dip their rings in the waters of the San Marcos River that flow in a fountain at the ceremony.

traditional ring ceremony

Mace- Four medals are engraved with the words ----. These words represent the following shared academic values:

• Auctoritas — the sense of one's standing gained through experience, industriousness and service to others • Gravitas — a sense of dignity, seriousness and duty • Humanitas — an appreciation for refinement, civilization and learning • Veritas — truthfulness

Annual Events

• Homecoming Soap Box Derby, sponsored by the Order of Omega • Homecoming Step Show • Homecoming Royalty • Distinguished Alumni Awards Presentations • In-town, LBJ Student Center and residence hall window painting • Gaillardian Awards Presentations