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Hook 'em Horns!

The University of Texas

Location: Austin, TX

Nickname: Longhorns

Type of School: Public Research University

Mascot: “Bevo XV” (Texas Longhorn steer)

Total student body: 53,864 (Fall 2024)

University Established: 1883

Football Stadium: Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium

Capacity: 100,119

Team Colors: Burnt Orange and White

Alma Mater

The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
All the livelong day.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
You cannot get away.
Do not think you can escape them
At night or early in the morn —
The Eyes of Texas are upon you
Til Gabriel blows his horn.

Traditions

"Bevo XV"

The University of Texas has many traditions that bind the Longhorn faithful together and foster a sense of pride, ambition, and determination to change the world! No matter which of the many is your favorite, you will certainly feel the inescapable pull of the University of Texas at Austin spirit. 

“Bevo” the Longhorn Steer is easily one of the most recognizable mascots in sports. The story goes like this:

University of Texas athletes were already known as Longhorns when, in 1916, a scrawny and haggard longhorn steer was brought to the campus in Austin from South Texas and introduced at halftime to the cheering football fans. 

According to the Texas Exes, the official alumni association of UT, the tale is this: Texas Aggie pranksters branded the longhorn with “13-0,” the score of a football game between the teams. Then, Texas fans fixed the 13 to read “B,” made the dash an “E” and added a “V,” spelling out Bevo. That’s believable, right?

NOT RIGHT! That is NOT how Bevo came by his name.

Full disclosure though, Texas A&M did win the game with the Longhorns in 1915,  13-0, and some people (presumably A&M cadets) did brand the longhorn with 13-0 a year later, but there is no knowledge that anyone changed it to say Bevo.

What does seem to be clear is that a magazine editor simply stated “His name is Bevo, Long may he reign!”

Most University of Texas faithful I have talked to believe that a more realistic possibility is that during this time, adding an “O” at the end of someone’s name was popular, and “beeve” is the plural form of “beef.”  So, “Beeve” becomes “Bevo.”

While Longhorn fans may be unsure about how the editor locked in on the name Bevo, one thing is for damn certain: UT’s mascot was not named because of any Texas Aggies!

Trivia

  • The first live mascot of the University of Texas Longhorns was a dog named “Pig Bellmont”.
  • In 1974, streaking was a popular pastime on college campuses nationwide. UT students created an organization called the Association of Streaking Students, or A.S.S. This organization solicited donations to help pay the $50 fines for anyone that was caught.
  • UT’s library holds nearly 10 million volumes, making it the 7th largest college library in the U.S. 
  • The university’s very first building, “Old Maine,” is said to have a ghost that plays a piano in its auditorium at midnight. 

Interesting Facts

  • Gone to Texas – When Southerners began leaving their homes in the 1820s and 1830s, many would simply scrawl “GTT” with chalk on their cabin doors or fence posts. It let everyone know that they had “Gone To Texas.” Today, nearly two centuries later, “Gone To Texas” is a phrase used with pride by those accepted to The University of Texas. On the eve of their first day of class, thousands of excited freshmen gather in front of the Tower for what is known as the “Gone To Texas” celebration of all things UT Longhorns. It is the frosh’s official start of their Longhorn life.
  • Burnt Orange and White – Orange and white were first used as University of Texas colors in 1885, when two students on their way to a baseball game stopped at a general store to get ribbons for the crowd. The most plentiful colors in stock were orange and white. After experimenting with gold and white and even orange and maroon, UT officially adopted orange and white as its colors in 1900. Over the years, the shade vacillated between bright orange and burnt orange until Coach Darrell Royal decided that burnt orange and white would be the University’s colors once and for all.
  • Good Luck Squirrels – Tradition has dictated that any student who sees a white squirrel on the way to a test will get an A. Contrary to some articles that I have read, these squirrels are not albino but are actually white fox squirrels, with brown eyes and not pink.
  • Littlefield Fountain – A World War I memorial: This beautiful fountain located on the main campus in Austin was dedicated in 1933 to honor University of Texas students and alumni who died or otherwise lost during World War I.
  • Big Bertha – Among the many traditions of the Longhorn Band (“The Showband of the Southwest”) is the world’s largest bass drum, Big Bertha. A five-member team of band members wrangles this 500-pound behemoth, which measures 8 feet in diameter.