The Texas basketball mascot, known as Bevo, is a beloved symbol of the University of Texas at Austin. Bevo is a large, long-horned steer that has become an iconic figure in Texas athletics. This mascot represents the rugged and fierce spirit of the Texas basketball team. **Bevo** is not only a mascot but a symbol of power and strength. The tradition of having a live longhorn as a mascot began in 1916 when the university received its first longhorn steer from a local ranch. Since then, Bevo has been present at every home football game, serving as a source of inspiration for the team and fans alike.

Texas State Symbols

Explore a curated list of Texas State symbols from the bluebonnet to the horned lizard.

For a complete list of the officially designated Texas State symbols, refer to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission page.

Want to learn more about Texas State symbols with your students? Sign up for a Distance Learning class all about Texas State symbols!

Explore Texas history in our Texas History Galleries.

Your museum admission purchase supports the Bullock Museum's exhibitions and educational programming.

Since then, Bevo has been present at every home football game, serving as a source of inspiration for the team and fans alike. The name Bevo originated from a popular non-alcoholic beverage at the time called "Bevo" that was made by the Anheuser-Busch brewing company. The name Bevo stuck and has been the mascot's name ever since.

Curated List of Texas State Symbols

Flag: Lone Star Flag

Instantly recognizable, the Lone Star Flag was originally designed by Texas Constitutional Convention delegate Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart and was adopted by the Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1839. Austin artist Peter Krag was paid a fee of $10 (about $200 in current dollars) to make an architectural rendering of Stewart's original freehand flag design. Like the United States flag, the red, white, and blue colors in the Lone Star flag stand for courage (red), purity and liberty (white), and loyalty (blue).

Seal: Great Seal of the State of Texas

In 1839, at the same time as it adopted the Lone Star Flag, the Congress of the Republic of Texas adopted a national seal with a Lone Star surrounded by a wreath of an olive branch and a live oak branch. Peter Krag, who made the rendering of the Lone Star flag, made a rendering of this design as well. The seal of the Republic was modified in 1846 to become the Texas state seal. In 1991, the 72nd Legislature clarified the design of the reverse side of the seal which now features a five-pointed star, the Battle of Gonzales cannon, Vince's Bridge, the Alamo, the six flags that have flown over Texas, and the mottoes "Remember the Alamo" and "Texas One and Indivisible."

Flower: Bluebonnet

Edging out suggestions for the cotton boll and the prickly pear cactus, the native bluebonnet (Lupinus subcarnosis) was named the state flower in 1901. A debate went on for years, however, as to which species of bluebonnet was the most beautiful and appropriate to represent the Lone Star state. In 1971, the Legislature issued a concurrent resolution that cleared up the matter: "RESOLVED… that the Lupinus texensis and any other variety of bluebonnet not heretofore recorded be recognized along with the Lupinus subcarnosis as the official state flower of the State of Texas." Its appearance from late March through early April signals to Texans that spring is here and that the long, hot summer is just around the corner. Since the 1930s, this beloved symbol of springtime has been planted along Texas highways. And although it is not illegal to pick a bluebonnet, it is illegal to tresspass on private property to collect one or to take your annual Texas springtime shapshot.

Large Mammal: Texas Longhorn

The Texas longhorn is a hybrid of Spanish and English cattle and is known for its extremely long horns, tough hooves, and general hardiness. It became a symbol of the Texas cattle drives in the 1860s and 1870s. After the end of the open range, longhorns were almost bred out of existence, but were saved by breeders in the 1920s for exhibit in Texas state parks. Soon after, ranchers rediscovered the tough and well-adapted cattle and they have been a mainstay of Texas ranching operations ever since. The longhorn became the large mammal symbol of Texas in 1995. Other official mammal state symbols include the armadillo (designated in 1927) and the Mexican free-tailed bat (1995).

Sport: Rodeo

The Texas rodeo has its roots in the Spanish cattle culture of the 1700s. As the cattle industry grew and flourished, Mexican vaqueros and their successors, the American cowboys, began to stage competitions to test their riding and roping skills. By the late 1800s, rodeos were commonplace in Texas, especially at Fourth of July festivities. Wild West shows, such as those staged by "Buffalo Bill" Cody, popularized the sport around the country. Rodeo became a formally organized sport under a permanent governing body in 1936. Many Texas cowboys and cowgirls remain dominant forces in the sport today.

Dish: Chili Con Carne

Chili con carne (chili with meat) was a trail stew that cowboys made with dried beef and dried chilies. Today, chili con carne is usually made with fresh chuck roast or ground beef with a mix of chilies. Recipes are often family traditions and closely guarded secrets. The chili may be served with garnishes such as cilantro, green onions, or cheese, along with warm tortillas. Chili con carne was designated the state dish in 1977. Today, chili cook-offs are a state pastime. Debates rage about the most authentic way to prepare Texas chili con carne, but one rule is absolute—no beans!

Insect: Monarch Butterfly

Texas is home to more butterfly species than any other state—at least 400. The monarch butterfly was designated the state insect in 1995. The most recognizable butterfly in North America, the monarch flies through Texas every spring and fall on its epic migration to wintering grounds in Mexico. At times, the butterflies fill the Texas sky and gather on the trees by the hundreds or thousands. As wild habitat becomes scarcer, many Texans plant butterfly gardens to attract and provide shelter for the beautiful insects.

Reptile: Horned Lizard

Most Texans call the state reptile a horny toad, but it is actually a horned lizard. Named the state reptile in 1993, the small spiny creatures are renowned for their tough-guy appearance and startling defense strategies, which include squirting blood from their eyes and puffing up their bodies to twice the normal size. Once commonplace in every part of the state except the East Texas piney woods, horned lizards are now a threatened species due to habitat loss, over-collection as pets and curios, and the invasion of non-native fire ants from South America.

Tree: Pecan Tree

Before he died in 1906, former governor James Stephen Hogg requested that a pecan tree mark his grave. As a result, the native tree rose in popularity. It was declared the state tree in 1919. Widespread in the wild and popular as a yard tree, the pecan is native to Texas and produces the state's only commercially grown nut. Millions of pounds of the soft-shelled, sweet-meat nuts are harvested annually for use in pies, candy, and other treats.

Plant: Prickly Pear Cactus

More than 100 species of the abundant wild cactus grow in Texas, the most of any state. This multi-purpose cactus became the state plant in 1995. Ranchers burn the spines from the pads (called nopalitos) and use them for cattle feed. Grilled, boiled, and chopped nopalitos are used in Tex-Mex cuisine. The juicy, red, prickly pear fruits are often made into jams and jellies, pies, and wine. Since it is a native cactus and can tolerate drought, prickly pear cacti are regular features of Texas xeriscaping.

1800 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701

Mailing Address: PO Box 12874
Austin, TX 78711-2874 • Map it

Monday–Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

IMAX Information: (512) 936 - 4629
Tickets: Email Us

Texas among the best NCAA basketball mascots ranked by fans

A recent survey of nearly 1,500 college basketball fans revealed the best mascots in the sport. The audience was asked to rate the 70 mascots from the schools whose men’s basketball programs have made the most NCAA tournament appearances. Since Indiana, UNLV, Illinois and Michigan don’t have official mascots, they were excluded. Texas’ ‘Hook ‘Em’ was rated the top mascot in the Big 12 and landed among the top 10 overall. Oregon’s ‘The Duck’ owns the No. 1 spot overall, and one other Big 12 program landed within the top 10. The survey also rated the worst mascots in college basketball, and Big 12 foes Oklahoma State and Kansas State were mentioned toward the tail end of the rankings. College basketball fans were also asked which mascot they would invite to a child’s birthday party. Oregon, Alabama, Houston, Xavier and Butler’s mascots were chosen. Here’s a look at the top college basketball mascots as voted by the fans from time2play’s survey.

Share this article

Share this article

Advertisement

Advertisement

Follow Longhorns Wire!

See college football stories in your feed

• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Manage Push Notifications

Powered by WordPress.com VIP

Error

Please enter an email address.

Success

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Why Your Mascot Sucks: University of Texas Longhorns

Following a five-set victory over the Florida Gators in the Elite 8, the top-seeded Wisconsin Badgers moved onto the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Volleyball Championship. Meeting them there, are the Longhorns, of the University of Texas. UT defeated Nebraska, 3-1 in their Elite 8 matchup.

Which makes sense since beef is more filling than corn.

Which brings up to the next installment of this long-running and popular series, where we will took a look at the origins of the Texas Longhorn and try to determine how much it sucks.

Over the years, Bevo has become a beloved and cherished figure in Texas athletics, representing the strong and determined spirit of the basketball team. Bevo can be seen on the sidelines and in the stands, cheering on the team and rallying the crowd. The sight of the beloved longhorn mascot is enough to raise the spirits of both players and fans alike. Bevo serves as a symbol of Texas pride and tradition. The longhorn steer embodies the rugged and independent spirit that is often associated with the Lone Star State. The mascot has become a symbol of strength and resilience, representing the team's fight and determination to succeed. In conclusion, the Texas basketball mascot, Bevo, is an iconic symbol of the University of Texas at Austin. The longhorn steer represents the team's spirit and serves as a source of inspiration for players and fans alike. Bevo embodies the strength and determination that are often associated with Texas, making it a beloved figure in Texas athletics..

Reviews for "The Texas Basketball Mascot's Impact on Merchandise Sales"

1. John - 2 stars - The Texas basketball mascot was a major disappointment. It lacked creativity and originality, simply being a person dressed in a generic cowboy outfit. There was nothing memorable or unique about it that stood out from other mascots. The lack of enthusiasm from the mascot itself also dampened the overall spirit of the game. I believe the university can do much better in representing its basketball team through a more engaging and exciting mascot.

2. Emily - 3 stars - As a long-time fan of the Texas basketball team, I was let down by the mascot. It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase the rich culture and history of Texas through a captivating character. Instead, we got a mascot that was just there, doing the bare minimum. It didn't ignite the crowd or bring any excitement to the games. I hope the university rethinks their mascot choice and invests in a more dynamic and charismatic representative for the team.

3. Mike - 1 star - The Texas basketball mascot was a complete letdown. I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by its lackluster performance during games. It barely interacted with the crowd and seemed disinterested in rallying the fans. It just felt like a wasted opportunity to create a memorable mascot that could have energized the entire stadium. I hope the university takes the feedback from fans seriously and reconsiders their choice for a basketball mascot, as this one simply doesn't cut it.

The Texas Basketball Mascots That Didn't Make the Cut