Home
About
Traditions - Sam Houston State University

Traditions - Sam Houston State University

Traditions

Bearkat

Sam Houston State University's athletic teams have been nicknamed "The Bearkats" since 1923 when the University's name was changed by the Texas State Legislature from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College. (Prior to 1923, the varsity sports teams were nicknamed "The Normals").

It is doubtful those who coined the "Bearkat" nickname had a particular animal in mind. More likely, the name came from a popular local saying of the time, "tough as a Bearkat!" The late Reed Lindsey, who was a student/athlete in the 1920s and later retired as University registrar, once said that "it was a good fighting name of the time." Since the animal in the saying was thought more mythical than real, the spelling settled upon was "Bearkat."

In the late 1940s, then SHSU president Harmon Lowman attempted to change the SHSU mascot from Bearkats to "Ravens" (after General Sam Houston's Cherokee nickname). Mrs. Vernon Schuder reported that the alumni were polled, she voted for the raven but that "all those old Bearkats beat us out!"

A Sammy Bearkat mascot character, with the later addition of a Samantha, began appearing at SHSU sports events in 1959. Samantha is now retired.

More Bearkat Facts

School Logo & Wordmark

Sam Houston State University has adopted as its official logo an orange "SH." Where the seal is used for more formal presentations, the logo can be used in less formal applications. Sam Houston State University also has an official Wordmark. Detailed information on the "SH" logo and the Wordmark can be found on our "SH" Logo page.

School Seal

Sam Houston State University has adopted as its official seal a high-contrast image of the statue of General Sam Houston, which stands in front of Austin Hall on the north end of the campus Quadrangle.

Around the image in the seal are the words "Sam Houston State University," two stars, and the year in which Sam Houston Normal Institute was founded--1879.

SHSU Seal

School Motto

"The measure of a Life is its Service."

Alma Mater

as performed by the 2003 SHSU Bearkat Band.

This new first verse of the Sam Houston State University Alma Mater was commissioned by President Gaertner in honor of the university's 125th Anniversary in 2004. The new verse was endorsed by alumni, faculty, staff and student organizations and first sung publicly by composer, Dr. Allen R. Hightower III at the summer 2003 graduation ceremony.

Hail to Sam Houston, School we love best,
Mighty in battle, True to the test.
Bearkats so loyal, Ever we’ll be.
Orange and white Will lead us to victory!

Hail, Alma Mater Hats off to you,
Ever you'll find us Loyal and true;
Firm and undaunted Ever we'll be,
Here's to the school we love
Here's a toast to thee.

Bearkat Fight Song