Witch Hunter Diary Today marks the beginning of my diary as a witch hunter. It is a path I have chosen with great conviction and a deep-rooted belief in eradicating evil from this world. The flames of witchcraft have burned for too long, and it is my duty to extinguish them. As the sun rises, I prepare myself for the day ahead. Armed with my trusted sword and a strong sense of justice, I embark on my journey to seek out those who practice dark arts. The townspeople look upon me with a mix of fear and hope.
After four years of being Hook ‘Em, Coffey said he can’t wait to spend time pursuing different passions, such as his growing rapping career.
Coffey s good friend, alumnus Emmanuel Williams, said despite their close relationship, he was just as much in the dark about Hook Em s identity as everyone else. Still, despite all the changes that have ensued over the years, some things have remained very much the same, such as the UT community s rabid support for its teams.
The townspeople look upon me with a mix of fear and hope. They fear the witches but also hope for a brighter future, free from their sinister influence. My first mission leads me to a small village on the outskirts of town.
The Texanist: What Happens to College Sports Mascots When They Die?
The California parent of a UT freshman wonders about Bevo’s ultimate fate when the final whistle blows.
David CourtneyDavid Courtney, a.k.a. the Texanist, is a staff writer.
Illustration by Zohar LazarQ: Last fall, my family attended a football game at UT-Austin, where my son will enroll as a Longhorn this fall. Late in the fourth quarter, while roasting in the Texas sun, I noticed the paddock on the field and wondered, “What happens when that beloved Bevo dies?”
Mei Lisa Thompson, Santa Monica, California
A: Many, many decades ago, the Texanist was lucky to spend a few of the happiest years of his life at the University of Texas at Austin. So he knows of what he speaks on matters pertaining to the state’s flagship institution of higher education—and of collegiate-style merrymaking.
Things were very different during those long-gone days of yore; there was no internet, telephones were hardwired to each other like two cans and a length of string, and decent sushi couldn’t be found anywhere in the Capital City. But students didn’t eat sushi, beer cost about a buck, and the drinking age was nineteen, so we had that going for us. Plus, it was much easier to get into UT in that bygone era. Were the Texanist to graduate today from dear old Temple High School (Go Wildcats!) with the same GPA that he had back then, there’s no telling where he might end up for his advanced lessons. Perhaps he’d be an Aggie!
The Texanist jests, of course. Still, despite all the changes that have ensued over the years, some things have remained very much the same, such as the UT community’s rabid support for its teams. This sort of fervent allegiance, which can be found at any Texas college worth its salt, happens to be the key ingredient in the phenomenon known to social scientists as school spirit, a mysterious force that binds together folks from very disparate backgrounds.
But while it’s true that college teams are generally beloved by students, faculty, and alumni, it’s the living, breathing beasts serving as the physical embodiments of said school spirit who occupy a particularly special place in the hearts of fans. Just think about the many cherished live mascots that can be found in Texas. In addition to UT’s Bevo XV, a Longhorn steer, there’s Baylor University’s Judge Indy and Judge Belle, a pair of American black bear cubs who debuted in the job this summer; Houston Christian University’s Wakiza III, a Siberian husky; Southern Methodist University’s Peruna IX, who, despite the team’s name, is a black Shetland pony, not a mustang; Texas A&M’s Reveille X, an American rough collie, a.k.a. the “first lady of Aggieland”; the University of Houston’s Shasta VII, a cougar; and West Texas A&M’s confusingly named Thunder and Thunder, both of whom are American bison. In Lubbock one can also encounter Texas Tech’s Masked Rider, who, mounted atop a lively jet-black quarter horse, is not a typical live-animal mascot. But human beings, as even your average Aggie knows, are members of the animal kingdom too, so the judges will allow it.
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Previous NextWhere such acclaimed creatures end up depends on the school and, in many cases, on the decade of their final departure. The cremains of each Baylor bear are placed in a chest that was handcrafted out of wood sourced from the university’s on-campus bear habitat and stored in the school’s gold-domed Pat Neff Hall. At Houston Christian one can head over to the grounds of the basketball gym and gaze at the markers standing atop the graves of two early huskies. (More recently the school has retired its mascots into the care of individuals who have made a connection with the animals. When the time comes, the dogs are presumably dealt with in a respectful manner.)
Likewise, SMU has laid to rest a number of Perunas at various locations around campus. Texas A&M inters its deceased Reveilles in a Reveille-exclusive cemetery located at the north end of Kyle Field that features a special scoreboard so the former first ladies can keep up with the action on game days. U of H’s Shastas seem to move on much as they live, which is to say somewhat stealthily; the cats that came before Shasta VII aren’t memorialized in any manner, though the school informs the Texanist that some sort of tribute at the alumni center is under consideration.
Each of West Texas A&M’s bison is memorialized at the south end of Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium, though the first one, which was sold to the school in 1922 by the legendary rancher and noted bison preservationist Charles Goodnight and his wife, Mary Ann, was taxidermied and eventually donated to the nearby Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. As for Tech’s Masked Riders, the Texanist was relieved to learn that they’re not stuffed and put on display. After the big dismount, they go the way of the rest of us, though presumably an obituary will note their services to the school.
But to get to the heart of your question, Ms. Thompson, what awaits UT-Austin’s beloved mascot after he has shuffled off his mortal coil? Though the Texanist knew of a permanent exhibit dedicated to Bevos past in the bowels of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, he didn’t know where any of their literal bodies were buried or whether Bevo XV would join them when his time comes. Luckily, the Texanist was able to get ahold of Ricky Brennes, the executive director of UT-Austin’s Silver Spurs Alumni Association and as close to a Bevo expert as there is. Brennes informed the Texanist that in recent decades Bevos have been privately owned and that decisions related to their afterlives have been left to the individual owners.
Though Brennes could not account for the ultimate destiny of each of Bevo XV’s predecessors, he was able to provide details on some of them. A few of the earliest Bevos, he said, were sourced from Fort Griffin, in Albany, just outside of Abilene, the site of the state’s official Longhorn herd, and were returned there after their terms of service. Closer to home, the horns of Bevo VII hang in the school’s football complex, and Bevo IX’s shoulder mount adorns the office of the athletic director. The shoulder mounts of Bevos X, XI, and XII are currently in private hands, though Brennes was not at liberty to reveal whose hands, specifically.
Interestingly, the Longhorn who started it all, Bevo I (the school’s first mascot was a dog named Pig), made a single official appearance, at the 1916 Thanksgiving Day game with Texas A&M, and was, despite a solid 21–7 Longhorns’ victory, eventually, slaughtered, barbecued, and devoured. That seems like a cruel way to treat a steer who wanted nothing more than to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of football fans. But at least he made for good eatin’.
Or did he? The Texanist’s colleague Daniel Vaughn, the magazine’s barbecue editor, says that Longhorn “doesn’t usually have great marbling, so the brisket would be dry and stringy. Sausage would be about the only way to make a dead Bevo tolerable to eat.” The Texanist hopes it never comes to that. Better that we feast on the ground-up remains of all those nuisance whitetail deer or that endless supply of feral hogs wreaking havoc across the state.
As for Bevo XV, the Texanist cannot foretell the future with complete assurance, but given that the past is often prologue, he’s comfortable in making a prediction. Bevo XV’s immediate forebears, Bevo XIII (the school’s winningest and longest-serving mascot) and Bevo XIV were raised on a ranch in Liberty Hill, just northwest of Austin, by John T. Baker and his wife, Betty, and lived out their postretirement days there. Today, the shoulder mounts and hides now hang in Baker’s home, and someday, when Bevo XV’s time on earth is done, his will presumably join those of his brethren. That would be a fitting and proper end for a noble beast who will hopefully bring as much joy to your son, Ms. Thompson, as Bevo XII and XIII provided the Texanist lo those many seasons ago. And, fingers crossed, many more victories.
Thanks for the letter, and Hook ’em, Horns!
Have a question for the Texanist? He’s always available here. Be sure to tell him where you’re from.
This article originally appeared in the September 2023 issue of Texas Monthly. Subscribe today.
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Rumors of witchcraft have been circulating, and it is my job to validate these claims. After careful investigation and countless conversations with frightened villagers, I gather enough evidence to proceed. Under the cover of night, I make my move. My heart pounds as I approach the suspected witch's dwelling, unsure of what awaits me inside. With a swift kick, the door swings open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with strange herbs and potions. The witch, a seemingly innocent old woman, pleads her innocence, but her eyes betray her true nature. Using my knowledge of ancient texts and the power bestowed upon me as a witch hunter, I perform a series of rituals to expose her true identity. It is a battle of wills, as she attempts to cast spells and summon dark forces against me. But I stand strong, fueled by my mission to protect the innocent. With a final wave of my hand, I bind the witch's powers and bring her to justice. The once gentle old woman is now a broken shell of her former self, defeated by the forces of good. As I leave the village, the townspeople watch in awe, grateful for my efforts. Each witch I encounter only fuels my determination. I travel far and wide, from one village to the next, in search of those who would bring harm upon the world. The road is long and dangerous, filled with trials and tribulations. But my purpose remains unwavering. In my witch hunter diary, I document every encounter, every victory, and every defeat. It serves as a testament to my unwavering dedication to the cause. It is a reminder of the darkness that lies within humanity and the light that can shine through when we confront it head-on. As the pages fill, each entry becomes a story of bravery and resilience. I am not just a witch hunter; I am a beacon of hope for those who have lost their way. I will continue to fight, to protect the innocent, until the flames of witchcraft are extinguished forever..
Reviews for "The Witch Hunter's Quest: Insights from the Diary"
1. Jane - 2 stars - "I was really disappointed with Witch hunter diary. The writing was mediocre and the plot felt disjointed. The characters lacked depth and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the book was filled with grammatical errors and typos, which was really distracting. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster and poorly executed novel."
2. Alan - 1 star - "I couldn't even finish Witch hunter diary. The story was incredibly slow and dull, and nothing seemed to happen for the first half of the book. The protagonist was incredibly unlikable and his actions made no sense. The dialogue was also clunky and unnatural. I wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it just fell flat for me."
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "I found Witch hunter diary to be quite predictable and unoriginal. The plot followed the same tired tropes of the genre, and there were no surprises or twists to keep me engaged. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to stay interested throughout. Overall, it was a forgettable and uninspiring read."
4. Michael - 1 star - "Witch hunter diary was a massive letdown for me. The world-building was minimal, and I struggled to understand the rules and dynamics of the magical world. The writing was also lackluster, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. There were moments when I had to reread passages just to understand what was going on. Overall, I found this book to be confusing and poorly executed."
5. Emily - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for Witch hunter diary, but it fell short for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The romance felt forced and rushed, and I couldn't bring myself to care about the relationship. The plot had potential, but it wasn't executed well. I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by the end."