Boko's History
Boko (bo-ko)
adj. 1, brave and courageous. 2, oddball—n.(slang) 1, one who
is awesome—vt. 1, entertain or amuse.
Boko~ Origin
from Late Greek (the Greek language from about 300 to 700 A.D.) Bokoedious-
He was the god’s jester chosen to lead the Loud Ones during the
“Spirit Wars”. The green eyes of glory shined through the
heavens causing Bokoedious to be victorious.
The
Evolution of the Bobcat (by Eloise Martin)
Before
there were the Bobcats, there were the Gypsies, the Nymphs, the Topsies,
the Sprites, the Wonders and the Goblins. Without an official mascot,
teams at Southwest Texas Normal School were left with the task of choosing
a name for each individual team.
The college
had no athletic nickname or mascot in 1919, when athletic director Oscar
Strahan arrived. Soon after his arrival, The Normal Star began a campaign
to adopt a mascot in an attempt to “raise school spirit from the
depths of obliviation.”
Shortly
after Strahan’s arrival a committee was formed by the student
council and was headed up by C. Spurgeon Smith, biology department head
to come up with a mascot for the school. Smith’s personal choice
was the bobcat because of its residency in Central Texas and its ability
to fight with great courage.
The committee
accepted Smith’s suggestion, and the bobcat mascot was chosen
as the official nickname to the athletic teams at Southwest Texas Normal
School. Strahan accepted the new name given to his athletic teams.
“A
Bobcat will fight you with everything he has – four claws,
teeth, speed and brains,” said Athletic Director Oscar Strahan
in 1919. The unique mascot was a source of pride for the students.
Texas State was the only college in the country to possess the
name for its athletic teams until the late 20’s, when Montana
State University also adopted the mascot.
In 1964,
the Bobcat was given an official name by Beth Greenless, a sophomore
from Luling, by beating out approximately 100 other students in a “Name
the Bobcat” contest, sponsored by Phi Delta Gamma sorority, now
Alpha Xi Delta.
“Boko
the First” was officially debuted at the Texas A&I , now Texas
A&M-Kingsville, football game. At the time, a live bobcat was used
and students were able to view their mascot as he was displayed from
a trailer at the game.
The look
of Boko has changed over the years. The most recent Boko was designed
by Bran Monk, a student hired by Media Relations and Publications, in
2003 in anticipation of the university’s name change to Texas
State University.
Today,
“Boko the Bobcat” still remains as the mascot of Texas State
University.
Quote
“A bobcat will fight you with everything he has – four claws,
teeth, speed and brains.” - Athletic Director Oscar Strahan (1919)
The
Loud Crowd's History
The Loud Crowd
is the official student spirit organization of Texas State University
Athletics. Our 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.” The Loud
Crowd was unofficially founded in 2004 and has a mutually beneficial partnership
with the Texas State Athletic Department.
The Loud Crowd looks to accomplish the following
goals:
- Increase
student spirit on campus and at all Bobcat athletic events
- Create
a fun, exciting and positive atmosphere for members and all Bobcat
fans that will solidify home court/field advantage
- Provide
an excellent social opportunity to meet tons of new people through
an interest in athletics
- Serve
as ambassadors of Texas State University and act with integrity and
sportsmanship
