Shasta is the official mascot of the University of Houston, a public research university located in Houston, Texas. The university's athletic teams are known as the Houston Cougars, and Shasta represents the spirit and energy of the school's athletics program. The first Shasta mascot was introduced to the University of Houston in 1947. Shasta I, a cougar, made her debut and quickly became a beloved symbol of the university. Over the years, the university has had several live cougars serve as mascots, with each one being named Shasta. The current mascot is Shasta XI, who took on the role in 2018.
The University of Houston’s mascot and school symbol has passed away. Shasta VI, UH’s live cougar mascot who was housed at the Houston Zoo, died late Thursday, August 4, according to a joint UH/zoo announcement. The 11-year-old cougar had been suffering from a progressive spinal disease which had rapidly deteriorated over the past few days, according to a zoo treatment. As veterinary staff treated Shasta for the spinal condition, they discovered the cougar’s declining kidney function, a syndrome common in older felines. When it was clear that Shasta would not recover after a comprehensive assessment, the animal care and health teams made “the difficult decision” to euthanize him, per a zoo statement.
Cherished UH traditions at the zoo included the aforementioned guarding of the rings, as well as Shasta s birthday parties and his live appearances via webcam at UH football games. The cubs, named Shasta VII and Louie, were an estimated 4 weeks old when they were found in October, making it unlikely that they would have survived on their own.
The current mascot is Shasta XI, who took on the role in 2018. Shasta XI is a female cougar and has all the characteristics of a true cougar, including strength, agility, and grace. She attends various university events and can be seen at sporting events, particularly football and basketball games, cheering on the Cougars.
Shasta VI, University of Houston’s mascot, dies at 10
HOUSTON – Shasta VI, the University of Houston’s spirited mascot, has passed away due to progressive spinal disease on Thursday, the school announced. He was 10 years old.
According to the university on their Facebook page, Shasta VI “represented the spirit and tenacity of UH’s students and alumni, and personified the resilience of the University.”
Shasta VI moved to the Houston Zoo as a five-week-old cub after his mother was illegally killed by a hunter in 2011. Since then, he served as the university’s first live mascot since Shasta V in 1989, according to the university. He also became part of UH’s beloved traditions such as guarding the students’ class rings inside his habitat
The Houston Zoo is also in mourning.
“We’re grieving the passing of our beloved Cougar, Shasta. Our vet team has been treating him for a progressive spinal disease which has recently rapidly deteriorated,” the Zoo said on Twitter.
The Zoo added that Shasta was also being treated for declining kidney function, which is common in older felines.
“Our team made a comprehensive assessment and made the difficult decision to euthanize him when it became clear that he wouldn’t recover,” they said.
Our team made a comprehensive assessment & made the difficult decision to euthanize him when it became clear that he wouldn’t recover. Shasta has been a cherished member of our Zoo family & @UHouston icon for over a decade. We're all saddened by this loss. https://t.co/5eDJ5HTOF3 pic.twitter.com/WBITNFvotQ
— Houston Zoo (@houstonzoo) August 5, 2022
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About the Author:
Ana Gonzalez
A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.
The cubs come three months after the university mourned the death of Shasta VI from progressive spinal disease. Not long after, Shasta VI's companion, Haley, also passed from kidney illness. Both illnesses are common in older cats.
Shasta has become an important symbol of school pride and traditions at the University of Houston. The school's student section at football games is called the "Shasta's Roar" section, and fans often participate in the "Shasta Shout" to show support for the team. Additionally, the university's athletics mark prominently features a sleek cougar head, representing Shasta and the team. The University of Houston takes great care to ensure the welfare and safety of Shasta. The cougars serving as mascots are housed at the Houston Zoo, where they receive proper veterinary care and attention from a dedicated team of experts. The university also works closely with the Houston Zoo to educate visitors about conservation efforts and the importance of protecting cougars and their natural habitats. In conclusion, Shasta the cougar is a revered symbol of school spirit and tradition at the University of Houston. From the first mascot in 1947 to the current Shasta XI, these live cougars represent the strength and pride of the university's athletics program. Shasta serves as a reminder of the university's commitment to excellence and is a beloved figure among students, alumni, and fans of the Houston Cougars..
Reviews for "The Legend of Shasta: Tales and Stories Surrounding the University of Houston Mascot"
1) Emily - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the University of Houston mascot Shasta. First of all, the costume looked worn out and shabby. It didn't have the same energy and enthusiasm as other mascots I've seen at other universities. Also, the person inside the costume seemed disinterested and barely interacted with the crowd during the game. Overall, it was a lackluster experience and I didn't feel any school spirit while watching Shasta in action.
2) Robert - 2/5 stars - I attended a few University of Houston football games and the mascot Shasta didn't leave a great impression on me. The costume design is outdated and doesn't accurately represent the school's image. Additionally, the mascot's movements seemed awkward and robotic, lacking the fluidity and energy I would expect from a college mascot. It definitely didn't add any excitement or hype to the games, and I think the University of Houston should consider updating their mascot for a better fan experience.
3) Sarah - 2/5 stars - Having attended the University of Houston, I must say that Shasta, the university's mascot, was quite underwhelming. The entire presentation felt lackluster and uninspiring. The costume design was outdated and the performer inside didn't seem to engage with the crowd or excite the fans. There was a definite lack of enthusiasm and energy, which dampened the overall game experience. I believe the University of Houston could benefit from reevaluating and revamping their mascot to better represent the school and create a more memorable experience for the fans.