Letter from Steve Orsini ... re: mascots
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:45 pmDear Mustang Fans:
With our game against Navy just days away, I wanted to take a moment to address the concerns several of you have voiced in recent days involving our beloved live mascot, Peruna.
First and foremost, let me stress that Peruna, the black Shetland pony who made his first appearance at a campus pep rally in 1932, is and will continue to be our mascot.
Another big part of our athletic tradition, though, is our nickname - the Mustangs. The first football teams at SMU were unofficially known as the Parsons because of the large number of theology students on the team, but after SMU won a state championship in women's basketball, it was determined that the university's teams needed an official mascot. Bulls, Rams, Comanches and Rattlers were among the names submitted by members of the student body. The list was narrowed to three finalists, and at a pep assembly on October 17, 1917, the name Mustangs was selected over Bisons and Greyhounds.
Being the Mustangs has now placed us in a position to help a very important philanthropic cause. Today, 33,000 of America's wild horses - Mustangs - are in holding pens and less than 25,000 roam free. Just 100 years ago, over two million wild horses roamed the land. The National Wild Horse Foundation seeks to create a permanent home to save these national treasures. When we were contacted by their leadership, we felt the need to partner with the group to help save the Mustangs.
To bring attention to the Foundation and this important cause, SMU will be the setting for a "Salute to the Mustangs" at the SMU-Navy game on October 17, 2009 - 92 years to the day after we became the Mustangs. At halftime, we will be given two rescued, trained Mustangs. Our first concern is for the health and well being of these Mustangs. At our equestrian facility, these horses will have a good home and represent our support of the Foundation's commitment saving these American icons. How these animals will be involved in our future game presentation is yet to be determined.
The new Mustangs will be a welcome addition at SMU. The feisty energy of Peruna and the powerful presence of our new Mustangs will underscore the football team's theme of "All Grit. No Quit." Peruna represents a proud tradition, and the rescued Mustangs have shown the rugged determination to survive and thrive - a fitting metaphor for Mustang athletics. Together, they will represent a spirited tradition at SMU which is enjoyed by students, parents, alumni and other Mustang fans.
We hope you will join us in welcoming these Mustangs to the SMU family on Saturday. Thanks for your support and GO MUSTANGS!
Sincerely,
Steve Orsini
Director of Athletics
With our game against Navy just days away, I wanted to take a moment to address the concerns several of you have voiced in recent days involving our beloved live mascot, Peruna.
First and foremost, let me stress that Peruna, the black Shetland pony who made his first appearance at a campus pep rally in 1932, is and will continue to be our mascot.
Another big part of our athletic tradition, though, is our nickname - the Mustangs. The first football teams at SMU were unofficially known as the Parsons because of the large number of theology students on the team, but after SMU won a state championship in women's basketball, it was determined that the university's teams needed an official mascot. Bulls, Rams, Comanches and Rattlers were among the names submitted by members of the student body. The list was narrowed to three finalists, and at a pep assembly on October 17, 1917, the name Mustangs was selected over Bisons and Greyhounds.
Being the Mustangs has now placed us in a position to help a very important philanthropic cause. Today, 33,000 of America's wild horses - Mustangs - are in holding pens and less than 25,000 roam free. Just 100 years ago, over two million wild horses roamed the land. The National Wild Horse Foundation seeks to create a permanent home to save these national treasures. When we were contacted by their leadership, we felt the need to partner with the group to help save the Mustangs.
To bring attention to the Foundation and this important cause, SMU will be the setting for a "Salute to the Mustangs" at the SMU-Navy game on October 17, 2009 - 92 years to the day after we became the Mustangs. At halftime, we will be given two rescued, trained Mustangs. Our first concern is for the health and well being of these Mustangs. At our equestrian facility, these horses will have a good home and represent our support of the Foundation's commitment saving these American icons. How these animals will be involved in our future game presentation is yet to be determined.
The new Mustangs will be a welcome addition at SMU. The feisty energy of Peruna and the powerful presence of our new Mustangs will underscore the football team's theme of "All Grit. No Quit." Peruna represents a proud tradition, and the rescued Mustangs have shown the rugged determination to survive and thrive - a fitting metaphor for Mustang athletics. Together, they will represent a spirited tradition at SMU which is enjoyed by students, parents, alumni and other Mustang fans.
We hope you will join us in welcoming these Mustangs to the SMU family on Saturday. Thanks for your support and GO MUSTANGS!
Sincerely,
Steve Orsini
Director of Athletics
