Shasta (mascot)

Infobox College Mascot
name = Shasta


image_size = 200px
caption = Shasta walking off the field of a football game at Robertson Stadium
university = University of Houston
conference = Conference USA
conference_short = C-USA
description = Live/anthropomorphic cougar
name_origin = Student contest
first_seen = 1946
related_mascots = Sasha
official_website = [http://uhcougars.cstv.com UH athletics]
hall_of_fame =

Shasta is the mascot of the University of Houston athletics teams, the Houston Cougars. Shasta is a female cougar. While previously a live cougar, Shasta is now a costumed mascot.

History

The origin of Shasta dates back to 1927 when John R. Bender, the former head football coach for the Washington State University Cougars came to Houston and because of his fondness for the animal, decided it would be the name of his new teams. Later that year, the school newspaper actively used the name, and other student organizations followed. [http://uhcougars.cstv.com/trads/hou-trads.html UH Traditions] , UH Athletics, Retrieved 30 July 2007.]

In 1946, the cougar was named the official mascot by the university as Houston became involved in intercollegiate sports. The next year, the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity raised funds to purchase a live cougar for the university, and held a contest to name it. Among 225 other entries, student Joe Randol won the contest with the following submission: "Shasta (She has to). Shasta have a cage, Shasta have a keeper, Shasta have a winning ball club, Shasta have the best." The first runner-up was "Raguoc" (cougar spelled backwards).

hastas

hasta I

Shasta I (1947 - 1962) was the longest serving Shasta. Following her service as the University of Houston mascot, she resided at the Houston Zoo.

hasta II

Shasta II (1962 - 1965) was the shortest serving Shasta, and was the first to live in "Shasta's Den" (a cage built for her) at the southwest corner of Lynn Eusan Park. It's said that she was retired so soon due to an unruly attitude. She later resided at the Houston Zoo.

hasta III

Shasta III (1965 - 1977) was also known as "The Lady". She was featured in several commercials for the American Motors Corporation, but was forced to retire due to poor health.

hasta IV

Shasta IV (1977 - 1980) was also known as "Baby Shasta". She only served three years due to the difficulty in controlling her.

hasta V

Shasta V (1980 - 1989) was the last cougar to serve as a live mascot for the University of Houston. After a kidney failure, she was put to sleep. After Shasta V, interim President George Magner ended the tradition of a live mascot at the university.

hasta today

Since 1989, the university has chosen not to purchase another live cougar, but instead a costumed student is used for games. Recently, another cougar named "Sasha" started appearing in costume with Shasta at university events. There has been much debate as to whether or not the university should purchase another cougar. Those who oppose another live cougar often claim that having a caged cougar is inhumane and dangerous. [ [http://www.stp.uh.edu/vol67/135/opinion/staff-eddy.html "Cougar pride"] . The Daily Cougar. Retrieved 18 September 2007.] Although a live cougar appears in University of Houston's "Learning. Leading." campaign named "Tigger", this cougar does not live on campus nor is it owned by the university.

University of Oregon incident

During the 2007 football season opener game between the Houston Cougars and the Oregon Ducks, Shasta became involved in a physical fight with Oregon's Donald Duck mascot. The duck attacked Shasta while she was doing push ups for total points after each touchdown in front of the Cougar fans at Autzen Stadium. Push-ups for the total points scored are a tradition for the University of Houston as well as Oregon. However, after finishing some push-ups, the duck mascot physically attacked Shasta, eventually taking the mascot to the ground and performing lewd gestures. The fight was captured by both amateur video and game cameras, and was subsequently posted on YouTube as well as being reported on by most major media organizations. University of Oregon's mascot was suspended for one game as a disciplinary action. It was never revealed what further penalty the student in the duck suit faced. [ [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4424230 "Oregon mascot suspended"] . Houston Chronicle. September 14, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2008 ]

ee also

* Houston Cougars
* List of U.S. college mascots
* University of Houston

References

External links

* [http://www.uh.edu/75years/timeline/00s/oldex.htm Shasta—75 years later]