TRADITIONS COUGAR SIGN SHASTA, UH’S COUGAR MASCOT The “Cougar Sign,” is made by folding the ring finger of the right Between 1947 and 1989, five live cougars served as mascots; the tradition of a live hand toward the palm. The tradition dates back to 1953, when mascot was revived in 2011 with Shasta VI, our current living cougar mascot, who Shasta I, the presiding cougar mascot, lost a toe in a cage door resides in a beautifully-outfitted habitat at the Houston Zoo. Costumed Shasta on the way to a game. While at the game in Austin, the opposing mascots have been a tradition for half a century, becoming one of the first two team mocked UH by imitating the cougar’s injury. Cemented in costumed mascots in the country. The mascots do pushups after each Cougar 1976 with a 30-0 win over that same team, tradition tells Cougar touchdown scored, to match the total on the scoreboard. Fans count along as the faithful the paw is extended on the right hand to demonstrate mascots complete the pushups, and their voices are matched with the sounding unity among the UH community. of the Spirit Bell and the Spirit of Houston Marching Band’s music. THE OFFICIAL CLASS RING The class ring is presented each semester at a formal Ring Ceremony, an event held prior to both the December and May graduations. Tradition dictates that current students must wear the ring facing inward, with only alumni wearing the ring facing outward. Each class ring spends the night before the Ring Ceremony with our live mascot, Shasta VI, in the cougar habitat at the Houston Zoo. COUGAR RED FRIDAY THE BLAZE Wearing red on Friday is more than just The Blaze is an oil field warning FRONTIER FIESTA a tradition; it is who we are. We wear red siren that was chosen to Frontier Fiesta was founded in 1939 as a student-run to show our pride and passion for the represent UH’s ties to the festival and was dubbed “The Greatest College Show on University. The color unites us, to live petroleum industry. Beginning Earth” by LIFE magazine in 1958. After being discontinued and to celebrate together, and behold in 1991, along with other student for over more than 30 years, Frontier Fiesta re-started in our individual achievements as a singular volunteers, The Sigma Chi 1991 and continues to be a completely student-run event legacy of the pride. We encourage our Fraternity was given charge of featuring variety shows, free live concerts, carnival booths campus community and those all around the siren and named it in honor and a barbecue cook-off. the city to wear red on Fridays. of its fallen brother, David Blazek. Blazek played an instrumental role in its creation and contributed to the regeneration of student enthusiasm on campus BUGGY BEAUTIES in the late 1980s. The siren is In the early 1970s, a new spirit tradition was sounded during the game to alert introduced at UH football games. A golf cart Cougars, both present and past, was retrofitted with a fiberglass football of the on-field success. helmet and painted with the scarlet and white UH logo. After each UH touchdown, the buggy was driven around the stadium. In addition, four female students chosen by the administrative and coaching staffs rode on the buggy and engaged with Cougar fans during the celebration. The tradition continues to this day with the Buggy Beauties serving as spirit ambassadors for UH year-round. THE ALMA MATER The official song of the University of THE FRONTIERSMEN RUBBING THE PAW Houston is composed of a four-part In honor of UH’s first live cougar harmony, and its lyrics are memorized The Frontiersmen, a distinct mascot, Shasta I, the Legend of the by new students and alumni alike: group of spirited UH students Cougar Paw Statue was installed at representing Houston’s western Gate 2 of TDECU Stadium that tells All hail to thee, heritage was formed in 1948. the story of the Cougar Hand sign Frontier Fiesta ended its initial and its genesis. Cougar fans rub her Our Houston University. run in 1961. Then in 1991, when extended right paw for good luck THE COUGAR WALK Fiesta returned to campus, the prior to entering the stadium on Our hearts fill with gladness Fans can line up to take part in Frontiersman returned as well, game day. serving as spirit ambassadors When we think of thee. the Cougar Walk two hours before across the campus. In fall of 1994, Cougar fans also “rub the paws” of kickoff. Led by the head coach and the cougar statues in Cullen Family the Frontiersmen began running Dear old varsity. accompanied by the Spirit of Houston, the UH Flag across the field after Plaza, in front of the E. Cullen the team is dropped off on Cullen Building. It’s especially important each score at football games in full And to thy memory cherished, Boulevard as they make their way western dusters, cowboy boots during Homecoming. Sometimes past the UHAA Party on the Plaza and and hats, representing the student students rub the paws for extra luck True we’ll ever be. Shasta Square Student Tailgate into body at large. on their final exams, too. the locker room. Please visit houstonalumni.com/overview/traditions to learn more, and houstonalumni.com/lifemember to become a Life Member of the University of Houston Alumni Association..