The Utsa Roadrunner is the official sports mascot of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The mascot represents the university's athletic teams and serves as a symbol of school spirit and unity. The Roadrunner is a unique and distinct mascot, chosen to convey the characteristics and values of UTSA. The Roadrunner is known for its speed, agility, and perseverance, qualities that are also important in sports. The mascot is often portrayed as a spirited and energetic bird, reflecting the enthusiasm and passion of UTSA's athletes and fans. The Utsa Roadrunner can be seen at various sporting events, cheering on the teams and rallying the crowd.
When UTSA students graduate, many receive a class ring. The ring, which serves as a symbol of pride and accomplishment, creates a bond between alums and future graduates. It also connects our graduates' accomplishments to the deep and rich history of San Antonio and Texas: since 2012, every UTSA class ring has stayed overnight at the Alamo the night before the ring ceremony. The rings are hand-delivered by the UTSA Alumni Association in a secure box as part of the cherished tradition.
Antonio Gonzalez III, the first student to wear the Roadrunner Mascot costume, made his debut by hatching from an egg during a basketball pep rally on November 24, 1981. Students voted in a final election in December 1977, and on December 9, 1977, at a bonfire rally, the roadrunner was announced as UTSA s first mascot.
The Utsa Roadrunner can be seen at various sporting events, cheering on the teams and rallying the crowd. The mascot's presence creates an atmosphere of excitement and support, motivating the athletes and encouraging the fans to show their team spirit. The Utsa Roadrunner also participates in community events and activities, representing UTSA and promoting a sense of pride in the university.
Go…Dillos?: How UTSA’s Mascot Became the Roadrunner
With UTSA’s long-awaited announcement yesterday that football will be added to the athletics program, the Top Shelf decided to take a look at the history of UTSA’s mascot, Rowdy the Roadrunner.
In 1987, Dr. Thomas Greaves, Director of the Division of Social Sciences at UTSA from 1973-1980, donated some interesting artifacts to the university in the hope that they would be given to an archivist. The items included an oversize mock-up of a logo for the “UTSA Dillos” (above) and a drawing of an armadillo. Greaves writes in his letter of donation that “the poster and the armadillo cutout stem from … when UTSA was deciding what to call its athletic team. There was a campus-wide vote between the Roadrunners, the Stars, and the Armadillos, and a vigorous campaign on behalf of each. The armadillos lost, but these two items were part of the wall posters during the election.”
Students indeed elected their own mascot, in the fall semester of 1977. According to an article in the October 1977 UTSA Bulletin entitled “Mascot Choices Bear Up,” students suggested approximately 50 possible mascots in September 1977 (the title references the suggestion of the bear as a possible mascot). The top nine suggestions–the armadillo, eagle, el conquistador, jaguar, puma, roadrunner, star, toro, and vaquero–were put to a vote in November 1977. The votes were tallied, and the top two contenders were announced: the armadillos and the stars.
There were arguments for both. Athletics Director Rudy Davalos had requested the star to be added to the ballot. “The star would be a good mascot for UTSA because Texas is the lone star state,” Davalos is quoted as saying in a November 4, 1977 press release. “The star is neither masculine nor feminine and equally can represent men and women athletes.” The press release states that former Student Representative Assembly member and “strong armadillo supporter” Bruce Garcia argued that “UTSA is located in the Texas hill country and needs a mascot symbolic of this area. The armadillo serves this purpose perfectly.”
Fortunately for the roadrunner, the election was subsequently declared void by the Student Representative Assembly and a new election was scheduled. The nine original candidates were included on the new ballot, with a write-in option. On November 23, with 1900 of UTSA’s 7350 students voting, the two new leaders were announced: the armadillo and the roadrunner. Students voted in a final election in December 1977, and on December 9, 1977, at a bonfire rally, the roadrunner was announced as UTSA’s first mascot.
Do you know why the UTSA roadrunner was named “Rowdy”? If you have any information on the naming of UTSA’s mascot, please contact the University Archivist.
There were arguments for both. Athletics Director Rudy Davalos had requested the star to be added to the ballot. “The star would be a good mascot for UTSA because Texas is the lone star state,” Davalos is quoted as saying in a November 4, 1977 press release. “The star is neither masculine nor feminine and equally can represent men and women athletes.” The press release states that former Student Representative Assembly member and “strong armadillo supporter” Bruce Garcia argued that “UTSA is located in the Texas hill country and needs a mascot symbolic of this area. The armadillo serves this purpose perfectly.”
Overall, the Utsa Roadrunner is a symbol of unity, pride, and athleticism at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Its presence at sporting events and community activities serves to inspire and engage both athletes and fans, fostering a sense of belonging and creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for all..
Reviews for "From Offensive to Defensive: How the Utsa Roadrunner Sports Mascot Adapts to Different Sports"
1. Jane - 2/5 - The Utsa roadrunner sports mascot was a disappointment for me. Firstly, the costume looked cheap and poorly made, making the mascot appear less professional and more like a random person in a suit. Additionally, the movements and actions of the mascot were very limited, making it difficult for them to interact with the crowd and create an engaging experience. Overall, I was not impressed with the Utsa roadrunner sports mascot and believe it could use some major improvements.
2. Brandon - 1/5 - I had high hopes for the Utsa roadrunner sports mascot, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The costume was bulky and cumbersome, making it hard for the mascot to move around freely and engage with the crowd. Furthermore, the mascot lacked energy and enthusiasm, which made the whole experience quite underwhelming. I would recommend reevaluating and revamping the Utsa roadrunner sports mascot to make it more appealing and exciting for the audience.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - The Utsa roadrunner sports mascot was a letdown for me. Not only did the costume look outdated, but the mascot's performance was lackluster as well. The mascot seemed disinterested and disconnected from the crowd, making it difficult to feel any sense of excitement or engagement. I believe that a mascot should be the life of the party and bring energy to the event, but unfortunately, the Utsa roadrunner sports mascot failed to do so. Overall, I was disappointed with this mascot and hope to see improvements in the future.
4. Michael - 2/5 - The Utsa roadrunner sports mascot seemed like an afterthought rather than a well-planned addition to the event. The costume lacked attention to detail and quality, and it was evident that minimal effort was put into its design. Moreover, the mascot's movements were robotic and stiff, making it hard to feel any connection or enthusiasm from the character. Overall, I believe the Utsa roadrunner sports mascot needs a complete makeover to become a more engaging and appealing part of the event.