Butch T. Cougar

Butch T. Cougar is the mascot of Washington State University. As his name indicates Butch is a cougar.

History

Though the cougar was adopted as Washington State University's mascot in 1919 it was not until 1927 when a cougar cub was presented to the student body of Washington State that Butch T. Cougar was born [cite web | title=Washington State University, The Presidents | url=http://washington-state-magazine.wsu.edu/stories/2007/May/presidents.html | format=English | accessdate=2008-03-12] . The cougar was named Butch after Herbert "Butch" Meeker of Spokane, a football star of the day. [cite web | title=Traditions | url=http://wsucougars.cstv.com/trads/butch-history.html | format=English | accessdate=2008-03-12] Butch was represented by a live cougar until 1978 when Butch VI died at age 15. [cite web | title=Washington State University, The Presidents | url=http://washington-state-magazine.wsu.edu/stories/2007/May/presidents-2.html | format=English | accessdate=2008-03-12] Today Butch is represented by a costumed student.

Duties

The primary duty of Butch is to be an ambassador of WSU. He can be seen roaming the sidelines at home American football and basketball games leading spirit chants and tossing shirts into the standsFact|date=March 2008. Butch also makes appearances at official University events and other events to promote the image of WSU. [cite web | title=Request Butch. | url=http://wsucougars.cstv.com/trads/butch-request.html | format=English | accessdate=2008-03-12]

Trivia

* Butch T. Cougar was the 2006 Capital One Mascot of the Year [cite web | title=Spirited Butch T. Cougar roars to top spot. | url=http://world-class.wsu.edu/2007/butch/index.html | format=English | accessdate=2008-03-12]

* The student playing Butch is anonymous throughout the school year. At the last home sporting event of each year, usually the last home basketball game, the student beneath the Butch mask is revealed.Fact|date=March 2008

ee also

* List of U.S. college mascots
* Washington State University

References

External links

* [http://wsucougars.cstv.com/trads/butch-homepage.html Butch T. Cougar Homepage]