Peruna
Encyclopedia
Peruna is the official mascot of the Southern Methodist University
Mustangs. The name "Peruna" is given to each successive live mascot. A black shetland pony
, Peruna has been present at every SMU home football game for over 70 years.
"Peruna" also refers to the costumed mascot and SMU's fight song. Peruna was selected the #10 Best College Mascot by America's Best and Top Ten in 2009.
. Peruna I was a four-year old, 150-pound pony that was donated by T.E. Jones, the owner of Arlington Downs racetrack. Cy Barcus, a 1929 graduate of Perkins School of Theology
and director of the Mustang Band
, introduced the black Shetland pony as the mascot. In the March 22, 1985 edition of The Daily Campus, Barcus related his story to Linda Beheler: “I was out on a picnic and saw a little black horse running through the high weeds and I said, ‘that would make a good mascot for SMU.’ So I went to coach Ray Morrison and said, ‘Ray, I’ve found a horse that I think would make a good mascot,’ and he told me to bring it to the pep meeting. So I got a popular [student] to bring the pony to the pep rally and from then on it became the official school mascot.” On Halloween
1934, Peruna I escaped from his on-campus living quarters and was struck and killed by an automobile on Mockingbird Lane. The event devastated the SMU community and sent the university into mourning.
Since then, the university has moved Peruna's living quarters from campus to a Dallas
-area ranch. There have been nine Peruna's to represent SMU's athletic teams. The most recent to be retired was Peruna VIII, in 2011. Peruna VIII represented the school from 1997. While he has been retired from the field, Peruna VIII will continue to represent the school on The Boulevard, the tailgating area for football games. Peruna IX has represented the school on the field since October 15, 2011.
Following the death of Peruna I, W.E. Culwell (owner of Culwell and Sons) began a tradition of supplying SMU’s mascot. The Culwell family has donated and cared for Peruna II-Peruna IX. According to Culwell’s son, C.W. ‘Cully’ Culwell (’54), “He (Dad) would go to every game and serve barbecue
to the players after the game; he really loved the school….Dad donated a Shetland pony
because they have a greater longevity than a quarter-horse
.” (Shetlands will normally live 25 years or more, while a quarter horse will only live 15-18 years.) His generosity continued until his death in 1964 and has been continued by the Culwell family. Until 1993, the mascot was stabled on the 500 acres (2 km²) Culwell Ranch in Grapevine
. Since then, the stabling location is kept a secret. To date, nine mascots have represented SMU…7 stallion
s and 2 mares
, although hard-core types prefer all-black stallions because of their alleged vitality and spirit. When Cully Culwell was having difficulty locating a black stallion to replace Peruna VI, he shared that “stallions are hard to obtain now because most young male horses are castrated to make them tamer….a stallion which is more aggressive, better represents the spirit of the SMU Mustangs.”
s" 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 Bison
s and Greyhound
s. The contributor of the winning symbol was Miss Dorothy Amann, President Hyer's secretary. She was struck by the idea while watching the team practice from her office in Dallas Hall: "Why, out there, on the football field, it looks just like a bunch of wild Mustangs!". The mustang is representative of the fleet-footed animal which is native to Texas
.
The name Peruna originated in the fall of 1915 when SMU student George Sexton substituted the words, "She'll be loaded with Peruna when she comes ..." to the tune of "Coming 'Round the Mountain
." In the early part of the century, Peruna was the name of the most famous elixir
in Texas and had a reputation as a cure-all. The popularity of Peruna soared during Prohibition due to the high alcohol content allowed for "medicinal" purposes. Although the words to the song were changed some years later, Peruna remained as the name of SMU's mascot. Peruna happens to mean "potato" in Finnish.
(18 percent alcohol). Legend has it that the medicine was ‘full of kick’, as was SMU’s first mascot. He was kept on campus under the care of an organization called “The Saddle Burrs”.
A week before Peruna I’s death, he traveled to New York for the Fordham
game where a city cab was his mode of travel. It was there at Fordham where Peruna kicked and killed Fordham's ram mascot. At the time, Bob Goodrich (who later became
a Methodist Bishop) was the Band Director and took his younger brother, Wilson, on the trip as a ‘Shovel Boy’ for Peruna.
On October 30, 1934, a Tuesday evening, Peruna I was hit on Mockingbird by a speeding motorist and killed. The next day, the student body president (Finis Crutchfield
’37), along with the leader of the Mustang Band
(Robert Goodrich ’35), led the procession from the flagpole to the burial site near Ownby Stadium
. For the processional, the Mustang Band
played ‘Peruna’ (Coming 'Round the Mountain
) as a dirge. In 1937, a statue (currently on Peruna Plaza at Ford Stadium) was sculpted by Michael G. Owen Jr. (’37) and placed at the burial site of Peruna I.
championships. She died of a jaw infection in the summer of 1949. Gene Gaddy (’50) recalls that, because of his role on the Student Council, he was called back from summer break to serve as a pallbearer for Peruna IV. She was buried on the then practice field (now Wescott Field) draped in a blanket.
when SMU played Purdue
. He served for 21 years until a liver ailment forced him out of action. He had the longest tenure, to date, of any mascot. After death, Peruna VI was buried at Ownby Stadium
at a secret night service. When Ownby Stadium was demolished, Peruna VI’s remains were the only ones recovered. His ashes now rest under the statue at Peruna Plaza at Gerald J. Ford Stadium
’s south end.
game on September 27. During the summer of 1986, Peruna VII broke his leg when he caught his hoof under the gate of the stall. “Under normal circumstances, a horse would be put down,” said Cully Cullwell. The healing process was expensive but enabled him to continue his service to the university. The two years of rest through the Death Penalty, assisted in his healing, though he was retired early due to increasingly more frequent shots to reduce swelling before games. His retirement found him living on a ranch until his liver began to fail in May 2002 and he was euthanized. His ashes are currently in a coffin awaiting a resting spot in SMU's Heritage Hall when it is funded.
and was the first mascot to initiate the playing field at the new Gerald J. Ford Stadium
. After a long road trip to Washington, D.C.
, Peruna VIII led The Mustang Band
in President George W. Bush
’s Inauguration Parade. Peruna VIII’s infectious, untamed spirit is demonstrated before every game and as stamps and whinnies as the Mustang Band
forms a tunnel and he waits impatiently to lead the players on to the field. Peruna VIII was retired on October 15, 2011. At the beginning of his final season, Peruna VIII made one last mark on the Peruna legacy by killing a goat at his ranch.
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
Mustangs. The name "Peruna" is given to each successive live mascot. A black shetland pony
Shetland pony
The Shetland pony is a breed of pony originating in the Shetland Isles. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches to an official maximum height of 42 inches at the withers. Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent...
, Peruna has been present at every SMU home football game for over 70 years.
"Peruna" also refers to the costumed mascot and SMU's fight song. Peruna was selected the #10 Best College Mascot by America's Best and Top Ten in 2009.
History
On November 4, 1932, Peruna I made his first mascot appearance, appearing at the SMU football game against Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
. Peruna I was a four-year old, 150-pound pony that was donated by T.E. Jones, the owner of Arlington Downs racetrack. Cy Barcus, a 1929 graduate of Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology is one of Southern Methodist University's three original schools. The theology school was renamed in 1945 to honor benefactors Joe J...
and director of the Mustang Band
Southern Methodist University Mustang Band
The Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University...
, introduced the black Shetland pony as the mascot. In the March 22, 1985 edition of The Daily Campus, Barcus related his story to Linda Beheler: “I was out on a picnic and saw a little black horse running through the high weeds and I said, ‘that would make a good mascot for SMU.’ So I went to coach Ray Morrison and said, ‘Ray, I’ve found a horse that I think would make a good mascot,’ and he told me to bring it to the pep meeting. So I got a popular [student] to bring the pony to the pep rally and from then on it became the official school mascot.” On Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
1934, Peruna I escaped from his on-campus living quarters and was struck and killed by an automobile on Mockingbird Lane. The event devastated the SMU community and sent the university into mourning.
Since then, the university has moved Peruna's living quarters from campus to a Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
-area ranch. There have been nine Peruna's to represent SMU's athletic teams. The most recent to be retired was Peruna VIII, in 2011. Peruna VIII represented the school from 1997. While he has been retired from the field, Peruna VIII will continue to represent the school on The Boulevard, the tailgating area for football games. Peruna IX has represented the school on the field since October 15, 2011.
Following the death of Peruna I, W.E. Culwell (owner of Culwell and Sons) began a tradition of supplying SMU’s mascot. The Culwell family has donated and cared for Peruna II-Peruna IX. According to Culwell’s son, C.W. ‘Cully’ Culwell (’54), “He (Dad) would go to every game and serve barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
to the players after the game; he really loved the school….Dad donated a Shetland pony
Shetland pony
The Shetland pony is a breed of pony originating in the Shetland Isles. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches to an official maximum height of 42 inches at the withers. Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent...
because they have a greater longevity than a quarter-horse
American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horses in races of a quarter mile or less; some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph...
.” (Shetlands will normally live 25 years or more, while a quarter horse will only live 15-18 years.) His generosity continued until his death in 1964 and has been continued by the Culwell family. Until 1993, the mascot was stabled on the 500 acres (2 km²) Culwell Ranch in Grapevine
Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine is a city in northeast Tarrant County, Texas, United States located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census the city population was 46,334. The city's moniker is derived from the native grapes prevalent in the area. In recent years several wineries have...
. Since then, the stabling location is kept a secret. To date, nine mascots have represented SMU…7 stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
s and 2 mares
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
, although hard-core types prefer all-black stallions because of their alleged vitality and spirit. When Cully Culwell was having difficulty locating a black stallion to replace Peruna VI, he shared that “stallions are hard to obtain now because most young male horses are castrated to make them tamer….a stallion which is more aggressive, better represents the spirit of the SMU Mustangs.”
Naming
The first football teams at SMU were unofficially known as the "ParsonParson
In the pre-Reformation church, a parson was the priest of an independent parish church, that is, a parish church not under the control of a larger ecclesiastical or monastic organization...
s" 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
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, Rams
Bighorn Sheep
The bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to , while the sheep themselves weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae...
, Comanches and Rattlers
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae . There are 32 known species of rattlesnake, with between 65-70 subspecies, all native to the Americas, ranging from southern Alberta and southern British Columbia in Canada to Central...
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
Mustang (horse)
A Mustang is a free-roaming horse of the North American west that first descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish. Mustangs are often referred to as wild horses, but there is intense debate over terminology...
" was selected over Bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
s and Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
s. The contributor of the winning symbol was Miss Dorothy Amann, President Hyer's secretary. She was struck by the idea while watching the team practice from her office in Dallas Hall: "Why, out there, on the football field, it looks just like a bunch of wild Mustangs!". The mustang is representative of the fleet-footed animal which is native to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
The name Peruna originated in the fall of 1915 when SMU student George Sexton substituted the words, "She'll be loaded with Peruna when she comes ..." to the tune of "Coming 'Round the Mountain
She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
"She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain" is an American folk song often categorized as children's music. It is a derivation of a Negro spiritual known as "When the Chariot Comes"....
." In the early part of the century, Peruna was the name of the most famous elixir
Elixir
An elixir is a clear, sweet-flavored liquid used for medicinal purposes, to be taken orally and intended to cure one's ills. When used as a pharmaceutical preparation, an elixir contains at least one active ingredient designed to be taken orally....
in Texas and had a reputation as a cure-all. The popularity of Peruna soared during Prohibition due to the high alcohol content allowed for "medicinal" purposes. Although the words to the song were changed some years later, Peruna remained as the name of SMU's mascot. Peruna happens to mean "potato" in Finnish.
Peruna I (1932-1934)
The first mascot was a 28” high, 150-pound pony donated by T.E. Jones of Arlington Downs. The feisty miniature black stallion made his first appearance at a pep rally, November 4, 1932. He was promptly named ‘Peruna’ after a popular patent medicinePatent medicine
Patent medicine refers to medical compounds of questionable effectiveness sold under a variety of names and labels. The term "patent medicine" is somewhat of a misnomer because, in most cases, although many of the products were trademarked, they were never patented...
(18 percent alcohol). Legend has it that the medicine was ‘full of kick’, as was SMU’s first mascot. He was kept on campus under the care of an organization called “The Saddle Burrs”.
A week before Peruna I’s death, he traveled to New York for the Fordham
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
game where a city cab was his mode of travel. It was there at Fordham where Peruna kicked and killed Fordham's ram mascot. At the time, Bob Goodrich (who later became
On October 30, 1934, a Tuesday evening, Peruna I was hit on Mockingbird by a speeding motorist and killed. The next day, the student body president (Finis Crutchfield
Finis Alonzo Crutchfield, Jr.
Finis Alonzo Crutchfield, Jr. was a bishop in The United Methodist Church in the United States during the twentieth century. He was credited with bringing Oral Roberts into the Methodist Church and served as a negotiator in the 1968 merge of the Methodist Church with the Evangelical United...
’37), along with the leader of the Mustang Band
Southern Methodist University Mustang Band
The Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University...
(Robert Goodrich ’35), led the procession from the flagpole to the burial site near Ownby Stadium
Ownby Stadium
Ownby Stadium was a stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. It was the home of the Southern Methodist University Mustang football team.Named for Jordon Ownby, the stadium was built at the south end of the campus...
. For the processional, the Mustang Band
Southern Methodist University Mustang Band
The Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University...
played ‘Peruna’ (Coming 'Round the Mountain
She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
"She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain" is an American folk song often categorized as children's music. It is a derivation of a Negro spiritual known as "When the Chariot Comes"....
) as a dirge. In 1937, a statue (currently on Peruna Plaza at Ford Stadium) was sculpted by Michael G. Owen Jr. (’37) and placed at the burial site of Peruna I.
Peruna II (1934-1943)
Peruna II, a black Shetland pony raised at the Culwell Ranch, marked the beginning of the Culwell connection. Peruna II was the first of two mares to serve as mascot. The mare had a white diamond on her forehead and, therefore, it was dyed black to protect the image. She died of blood poisoning after being kicked and injured by another horse.Peruna III (1943-1947)
During Peruna III’s reign, the Culwells purchased Peruna his own special red and blue trailer. It served to transport all subsequent Peruna’s until 2002 when a new trailer was purchased.Peruna IV (1947-1949)
Peruna IV, the second mare, led the Mustangs to two consecutive Southwest ConferenceSouthwest Athletic Conference
The Southwest Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States from 1914 to 1996. It consisted of schools mostly in the state of Texas and one in Arkansas, with historical members in Oklahoma....
championships. She died of a jaw infection in the summer of 1949. Gene Gaddy (’50) recalls that, because of his role on the Student Council, he was called back from summer break to serve as a pallbearer for Peruna IV. She was buried on the then practice field (now Wescott Field) draped in a blanket.
Peruna V (1950-1965)
During the fifteen-year reign of Peruna V, he gained a reputation of arrogance…..his lively prancing, rearing and biting were good examples of SMU’s fighting spirit. Toward the end of his reign he kicked out the side of his stall (which happened to be the baggage car) on his way to Lubbock. In Chicago for the 1953 Notre Dame game, Peruna V was put up at the posh Stevens Hotel, had elevator privileges, and drank from the washbasin. Alys and George A. Richards, a former Peruna Handler, recalled a story from 1959 when they were hauling Peruna to a University of Texas game. As they drove, the radio programming was interrupted to inform the audience that Peruna had been “horse napped” by UT students who would display him at the game the next day. They continued to Austin and arrived at the game with Peruna in tow. The UT student body was surprised to see the real Peruna parade in because the wrong stolen horse was there also….minus its tail and mane.Peruna VI (1965-1986)
Peruna VI started his tenure as an 18-month old on October 2, 1965 at the Cotton BowlCotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
when SMU played Purdue
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
. He served for 21 years until a liver ailment forced him out of action. He had the longest tenure, to date, of any mascot. After death, Peruna VI was buried at Ownby Stadium
Ownby Stadium
Ownby Stadium was a stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. It was the home of the Southern Methodist University Mustang football team.Named for Jordon Ownby, the stadium was built at the south end of the campus...
at a secret night service. When Ownby Stadium was demolished, Peruna VI’s remains were the only ones recovered. His ashes now rest under the statue at Peruna Plaza at Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Gerald J. Ford Stadium is a stadium in University Park, Texas, one of the two "Park Cities" that form an enclave within the city limits of Dallas. The stadium is used primarily for football, and it is home to the Southern Methodist University Mustangs and is frequently used for local high school...
’s south end.
Peruna VII (1986-1997)
Peruna VII arrived at the Culwell ranch a year before his reign began. At the beginning of his reign, Cully Culwell said, “We would have like to have run Peruna VII a year earlier, but he proved to be a tough horse to break…..He’s still a little skittish at times, but he’s full of fight!” Peruna VII was to make his debut during the Homecoming game, but due to Peruna VI’s illness, his first showing came at the SMU/TCUTexas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
game on September 27. During the summer of 1986, Peruna VII broke his leg when he caught his hoof under the gate of the stall. “Under normal circumstances, a horse would be put down,” said Cully Cullwell. The healing process was expensive but enabled him to continue his service to the university. The two years of rest through the Death Penalty, assisted in his healing, though he was retired early due to increasingly more frequent shots to reduce swelling before games. His retirement found him living on a ranch until his liver began to fail in May 2002 and he was euthanized. His ashes are currently in a coffin awaiting a resting spot in SMU's Heritage Hall when it is funded.
Peruna VIII (1997-2011)
Peruna VIII ‘exchanged reins’ at the Spirit and Traditions Pep Rally at the beginning of the 1997 school year. Peruna VIII is a spirited lean black stallion that immediately made his mark by dragging and tripping several of the Peruna Handlers. He began his service on the field at the Cotton BowlCotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
and was the first mascot to initiate the playing field at the new Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Gerald J. Ford Stadium is a stadium in University Park, Texas, one of the two "Park Cities" that form an enclave within the city limits of Dallas. The stadium is used primarily for football, and it is home to the Southern Methodist University Mustangs and is frequently used for local high school...
. After a long road trip to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Peruna VIII led The Mustang Band
Southern Methodist University Mustang Band
The Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University...
in President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
’s Inauguration Parade. Peruna VIII’s infectious, untamed spirit is demonstrated before every game and as stamps and whinnies as the Mustang Band
Southern Methodist University Mustang Band
The Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University...
forms a tunnel and he waits impatiently to lead the players on to the field. Peruna VIII was retired on October 15, 2011. At the beginning of his final season, Peruna VIII made one last mark on the Peruna legacy by killing a goat at his ranch.
Peruna IX (2011-Present)
Peruna IX took over for Peruna VIII at halftime October 15, 2011 at the SMU vs. Central Florida football game at SMU’s Ford Stadium. Peruna IX has been groomed for the job since his selection as a colt. Peruna IX was found by the Culwells mere days before he was scheduled for castration and was spared in order to become SMU's next stallion mascot. The rough-and-tumble stallion attended summer band practices during 2011 to become adjusted to game noise and has been clocked galloping across the football field at a record pace. Sources say his feisty character and strong personality make him well suited for the strenuous job. He runs free at a secret location when not representing the Mustangs. Already, Peruna IX has made a name for himself as one of the most vocal Perunas to date: his whinnying can be heard across the stadium. Peruna IX can be seen rearing up on the sidelines as his team plays on the field.Appearances and Traditions
- Since 1932 Peruna has been present at every SMU home football game, spanning four stadiums. Peruna has been present at the Cotton BowlCotton Bowl (stadium)The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
, Texas StadiumTexas StadiumTexas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The stadium opened on September 17, 1971.Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675...
, Ownby StadiumOwnby StadiumOwnby Stadium was a stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. It was the home of the Southern Methodist University Mustang football team.Named for Jordon Ownby, the stadium was built at the south end of the campus...
and Gerald J. Ford StadiumGerald J. Ford StadiumGerald J. Ford Stadium is a stadium in University Park, Texas, one of the two "Park Cities" that form an enclave within the city limits of Dallas. The stadium is used primarily for football, and it is home to the Southern Methodist University Mustangs and is frequently used for local high school...
. - Peruna Plaza is located at the south end of Gerald J. Ford StadiumGerald J. Ford StadiumGerald J. Ford Stadium is a stadium in University Park, Texas, one of the two "Park Cities" that form an enclave within the city limits of Dallas. The stadium is used primarily for football, and it is home to the Southern Methodist University Mustangs and is frequently used for local high school...
. It serves as a memorial to late Perunas and contains the remains of at least a couple. There is a statue sculpted by Michael G. Owen Jr. (’37), resembling a small horse resting its head, in honor of Peruna I. - During football games, Peruna waits behind the Mustangs' end zone to watch his team drive to score. After touchdowns (as well as at the end of each quarter and the end of the first half), Peruna and his handlers run across the field to the opposite end zone.
- While a member of the Southwest ConferenceSouthwest Athletic ConferenceThe Southwest Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States from 1914 to 1996. It consisted of schools mostly in the state of Texas and one in Arkansas, with historical members in Oklahoma....
, SMU ran Peruna across the field after every Mustang score. After joining the Western Athletic ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
in 1996, this practice was disallowed by the conference commissioner, who allowed Peruna to be run only after each quarter. Since joining Conference USAConference USAConference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
in 2005, Peruna is run after each SMU score. - Perhaps the most infamous incident involving Peruna is the football game where he killed the mascot of the Fordham RamsFordham RamsThe 22 Fordham University varsity sports teams are known as the Fordham Rams. Their colors are maroon and white. The Fordham Rams are members of NCAA Division I and compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference for all sports except football. In football, the Rams play in the Patriot League of NCAA...
. During the game, the Fordham handlers led the RamBighorn SheepThe bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to , while the sheep themselves weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae...
too close to the Mustang, and it was killed instantly with a kick to the head. - Other notable incidents involving Peruna are when he tried to mount Texas TechTexas Tech Red RaidersThe Texas Tech Red Raiders are the athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University . The women's basketball team uses the name Lady Raiders; however, the school's other women's teams use the "Red Raiders" name. The university's athletic program fields teams in 15 varsity sports and 30 club sports...
's horse, Misty, sent the University of Texas Longhorn BevoBevo (mascot)Bevo is the name of the mascot of the sports teams at the University of Texas at Austin, a Texas longhorn steer with burnt orange coloring. The shape of the Longhorn's head and horns gives rise to the school's hand symbol and saying, Hook 'em Horns...
to the ground with a kick in the side, and defecated at midfield during a TCUTexas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
- SMU game, the week that TCU unveiled the school's brand new Field Turf. - Peruna is also noted for having spent the night in every one of SMU's Panhellanic Sorority houses, and traveling to New York with the SMU BandSouthern Methodist University Mustang BandThe Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University...
, where he was given his own cab, his own elevator, and his own hotel suite. - Peruna is present at both the commencement of incoming freshmen, and the graduation of seniors.
- During the early days of the Mustang BandSouthern Methodist University Mustang BandThe Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University...
, Peruna accompanied the organization everywhere, appearing on theater playbills as "the midget wonder horse!"