Hook 'Em
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Hook 'Em the official costumed mascot of The University of Texas at Austin's athletic teams, is a prominent figure at various sports events. Known for its enthusiastic presence, Hook 'Em is regularly seen entertaining crowds and boosting team spirit on the sidelines of Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium during football games. Additionally, the mascot makes appearances at the Moody Center for basketball games, engaging fans and contributing to the lively atmosphere. Beyond these sporting events, Hook 'Em's presence can be requested for various events through the Texas Athletics website, allowing the mascot to extend its reach and spirit beyond the athletic fields and courts, engaging with the broader university community and its supporters.
| Hook 'Em | |
|---|---|
Hook 'Em in front of the Tower | |
| University | The University of Texas at Austin |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Description | Anthropomorphic longhorn |
| Origin of name | Hook 'em Horns hand gesture |
| First seen | in 1975 - Steven “Sox” Sockler Created the Hook’em Costume mascot in the summer of 1975 with the assistance of Hugh Head, art professor at Lamar University in Beaumont. Sockler and Head built the headpiece and Sockler’s mother, Margaret Sockler, sewed the costume. The mascot costume was approved by the University Spirit Committee in September 1975 to only be used at Texas basketball games. Sockler first wore the costume at the OU Pep Rally at Gregory Gym. After the basketball season started, Sockler wore it at all home games. It was at the first game that Wally Pryor, announcer, gave the mascot costume the name “Hook’em”. At the end of the 1976 basketball season, Sockler donated Hook’em to the Spirit Committee. That costume was used for four more years before being replaced with an improved version in 1980. <name="Statesman_Trotter">Trotter, Jim (June 3, 1979). "First Hook 'Em hangs up horns". Austin American-Statesman. pp. D1 – via Newspapers.com.</ref> |
| Related mascot(s) | Bevo |
History edit
In January 1975, Steven “Sox” Sockler (BBA ‘76, MBA ‘78) attended a basketball game against the University of Houston at Gregory Gym. The Cougars brought their costume mascot. Sockler questioned why the Longhorns didn’t have their own costumed mascot. His friends at the game challenged Sockler to create one. In April 1975, Sockler proposed the idea to the University Spirit Committee chaired by Wally Pryor. The committee told Sockler to return the next fall semester with a completed costume and it would be considered.
In June 1975, Sockler enlisted the services of Hugh Head, an Art Professor at Lamar University, to create the headpiece. The foundation was made using a construction helmet. The welding rods were placed in the crown of the helmet to create the horns. The entire frame was enveloped in paper mache' and subsequently coated with fiberglass. The costume was handcrafted by Margaret Sockler, the mother of Sockler.
Upon his return in the autumn, Sockler submitted the costume to the Spirit Committee for their evaluation.
Wally Pryor expressed his approval with great enthusiasm, but specified that the mascot would solely be utilized during basketball games. Sockler recalled Pryor's statement, asserting that this adorned mascot is prohibited from making appearances at football games where Bevo holds absolute authority. The policy underwent modifications over the course of time.
The unnamed costume made its first appearance at the OU football pep rally held at Gregory Gym. The costume made its next appearance during the inaugural home basketball game in November 1975. At that moment, Sockler passed by the announcer's table and Wally Pryor inquired about the name of the costume. After Sockler declined, Pryor suggested, "Let's call it 'Hook'Em'."
Sockler consistently donned the Hook’Em mascot costume for every home basketball game during the 1975-76 season. Subsequently, Sockler contributed Hook'Em to the Spirit Committee, where it remained in use until 1980, when it was substituted with a superior iteration.
Hook 'Em has evolved over time and has been an important part of game day events ever since. Hook 'Em attends more than 250 University of Texas at Austin events at home and across the country each season.[1] In 2014 the Hook 'Em costume was updated to include lighter horns, more defined muscles, and custom made football, basketball, and baseball uniforms.[citation needed]
Notable appearances edit
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Hook 'Em attends nearly all Texas Longhorns games in all sports.[2] In 2015 he appeared at the Texas men's basketball opener against the University of Washington in Shanghai, China. In 2016, he attended the East Lake Cup in Atlanta in support of Texas men's golf.
Hook 'Em is also a friend to San Antonio Spurs mascot, the Coyote, and appeared alongside him during the Spurs' University of Texas Spirit Night.
Hook 'Em has also appeared at many non-school affiliated events. Hook 'Em attended the Austin City Limits music festival in 2014 to perform with musician Trombone Shorty, and in 2016 to perform with electronic music group Major Lazer. Hook 'Em also attended the 2015 Country Music Awards. He was featured in Brad Paisley's music video for “Country Nation”.[1]
National competitions edit
Mascot National Championship edit
In 2016 Hook 'Em placed 4th in his first UCA Mascot National Championship, beating out his rival, Boomer, the mascot for the University of Oklahoma. Boomer placed 7th.[3]
Steamboat Mascot Stampede edit
Hook 'Em has been invited to compete in Steamboat Mascot Stampede every year since 2015.[4] The competition is sponsored by former Phillie Phanatic David Raymond. Competing mascots come from various conferences around the nation, including the Big 12 Conference, Southeastern Conference, Big Ten Conference, Pac-12 Conference, and several other smaller schools.
Gallery edit
- Hook 'Em before the 2014 costume change
References edit
- ^ a b Finan, Kristin (October 29, 2017). "Big horns to fill: Texas' Hook 'Em mascot brings fun, spirit and stellar dance moves". Austin American-Statesman. pp. D1, D8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2018 Hook 'Em mascot tryouts". University of Texas Athletics. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ "The Official Site - Varsity.com - We Are Cheerleading". www.varsity.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Mascot Stampede". www.steamboat.com. Retrieved 2017-02-07.