Texas Cowboys
Encyclopedia
Texas Cowboys is an honorary men's service organization at The University of Texas at Austin. Founded in 1922, its members include some of the University's most distinguished students and alumni. The Texas Cowboys are responsible for maintaining Smokey the Cannon
, which is fired during Texas Longhorns football
games, and acting as ambassadors to the University.
, began working together to recruit dedicated men dedicated to leadership and service. Forty men from all aspects of campus life were chosen by McGill and Nowotny to be the first Texas Cowboys. Throughout its many years of existence, becoming a Texas Cowboy became a high honor, developed through the accomplishments of its members and from the organization's tradition of service and spirit.
In 1954 Smokey
, the original UT cannon, was presented to the University by the Texas Cowboys. That same year, the Cowboys begin their involvement with and support of Austin's Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).
On the Monday following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
in 1963, Smokey fired a 21-gun salute
to the fallen President during climactic moment in a public ceremony in front of the state Capitol building.
Smokey II was created by the School of Engineering to replace the original Smokey in 1968. Smokey II served the University well until 1988. The following year, Smokey III, a civil war replica cannon standing six feet tall and weighing 1,000 pounds, was constructed and remains in service to this day.
In 1995, the Texas Cowboys were cancelled as a campus organization following the accidental death of one of its members and a determination by the University administration that the organization had violated the University's hazing policies. Through the efforts of the Texas Cowboys Alumni Association, the campus organization was reestablished in 2000 with the expressed mission "to represent and serve the University of Texas at Austin with spirit, character and leadership."
In 2004, the Texas Cowboys Alumni Association, in conjunction with the Texas Exes
, completed construction on the Texas Cowboys Pavilion. It is the only structure on the University campus named for a student organization.
Today, the Texas Cowboys serve the University in service, spirit, and social capacities. Each year the Texas Cowboys organize and host Harvest Moon, a fall concert held in Waterloo Park, and Spring BBQ, an on-campus barbecue
to raise funds for the ARC of the Capital Area. Previous headliners at the Harvest Moon concert include:
2005: Jerry Jeff Walker
2006: Pat Green
2007: Cory Morrow and Aaron Watson
2008: Cross Canadian Ragweed
2009: Stoney LaRue and Roger Creager
2010: Robert Earl Keen.
Student applicants are often deeply involved in campus life. The Texas Cowboys count Student Government
presidents, fraternity
presidents and leaders, Friar Society
members, outstanding athletes, drum major
s, head cheerleaders, and campus leaders among its members.
University figures
Athletes and coaches
Others
Smokey the Cannon
Smokey the Cannon is an artillery piece used as part of the pageantry of college football games of The University of Texas Longhorns. Smokey is operated and cared for by the Texas Cowboys, a University student organization. Smokey is fired each time the Longhorns score, at every kick-off, and at...
, which is fired during Texas Longhorns football
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
games, and acting as ambassadors to the University.
History
In 1922 the University of Texas at Austin found itself in need of a men's service organization. Two men, Arno Nowotny, then head cheerleader, and Bill McGill, president of the Longhorn BandThe University of Texas Longhorn Band
The University of Texas Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest or LHB, is the marching band of The University of Texas at Austin. The Longhorn Band was founded in 1900 by a distinguished professor of chemistry, Dr. Eugene P. Schoch. The band is currently under the direction of...
, began working together to recruit dedicated men dedicated to leadership and service. Forty men from all aspects of campus life were chosen by McGill and Nowotny to be the first Texas Cowboys. Throughout its many years of existence, becoming a Texas Cowboy became a high honor, developed through the accomplishments of its members and from the organization's tradition of service and spirit.
In 1954 Smokey
Smokey the Cannon
Smokey the Cannon is an artillery piece used as part of the pageantry of college football games of The University of Texas Longhorns. Smokey is operated and cared for by the Texas Cowboys, a University student organization. Smokey is fired each time the Longhorns score, at every kick-off, and at...
, the original UT cannon, was presented to the University by the Texas Cowboys. That same year, the Cowboys begin their involvement with and support of Austin's Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).
On the Monday following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
in 1963, Smokey fired a 21-gun salute
21-gun salute
Gun salutes are the firing of cannons or firearms as a military or naval honor.The custom stems from naval tradition, where a warship would fire its cannons harmlessly out to sea, until all ammunition was spent, to show that it was disarmed, signifying the lack of hostile intent...
to the fallen President during climactic moment in a public ceremony in front of the state Capitol building.
Smokey II was created by the School of Engineering to replace the original Smokey in 1968. Smokey II served the University well until 1988. The following year, Smokey III, a civil war replica cannon standing six feet tall and weighing 1,000 pounds, was constructed and remains in service to this day.
In 1995, the Texas Cowboys were cancelled as a campus organization following the accidental death of one of its members and a determination by the University administration that the organization had violated the University's hazing policies. Through the efforts of the Texas Cowboys Alumni Association, the campus organization was reestablished in 2000 with the expressed mission "to represent and serve the University of Texas at Austin with spirit, character and leadership."
In 2004, the Texas Cowboys Alumni Association, in conjunction with the Texas Exes
Texas Exes
The Ex-Students' Association of The University of Texas is the association of former students of the University of Texas at Austin....
, completed construction on the Texas Cowboys Pavilion. It is the only structure on the University campus named for a student organization.
Today, the Texas Cowboys serve the University in service, spirit, and social capacities. Each year the Texas Cowboys organize and host Harvest Moon, a fall concert held in Waterloo Park, and Spring BBQ, an on-campus 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 raise funds for the ARC of the Capital Area. Previous headliners at the Harvest Moon concert include:
2005: Jerry Jeff Walker
2006: Pat Green
2007: Cory Morrow and Aaron Watson
2008: Cross Canadian Ragweed
2009: Stoney LaRue and Roger Creager
2010: Robert Earl Keen.
Membership
Texas Cowboys membership is reserved for current students at the University who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character, spirit, and service. The application and interview process is overseen by the University, the Texas Cowboys Alumni Association, and current Texas Cowboys. Invitations to join the organization are extended to no more than 25 students each semester, all of whom must have completed at least three semesters at the University. In order to ensure new members come from diverse organizational backgrounds, no more than two-thirds of each incoming class may be affiliated with a fraternity on the Interfraternity Council.Student applicants are often deeply involved in campus life. The Texas Cowboys count Student Government
Student governments in the United States
In the United States, these groups are often known as student government, associated students, student senate, or less commonly a student's union...
presidents, fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
presidents and leaders, Friar Society
Friar Society
The Friar Society is the oldest honor society at the University of Texas at Austin.-Origins:The Friar Society was founded in 1911 by Curtice Rosser and Marion Levy. Eight members were initially selected in the charter group...
members, outstanding athletes, drum major
Drum Major
A drum major is the leader of a marching band, drum and bugle corps, or pipe band, usually positioned at the head of the band or corps. The drum major, who is often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the band or corps, is responsible for providing commands to the ensemble regarding...
s, head cheerleaders, and campus leaders among its members.
Distinguished alumni
Political and judicial figures- Dolph BriscoeDolph BriscoeDolph Briscoe, Jr. was a Uvalde, Texas rancher and businessman who was the 41st Governor of Texas between 1973 and 1979....
- Former Texas Governor - Allan ShiversAllan ShiversRobert Allan Shivers was a Texas politician who led the conservative faction of the Texas Democratic Party during the turbulent 1940s and 1950s...
- Former Texas Governor - Jack BrooksJack Brooks (politician)Jack Bascom Brooks is a retired Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Texas, who served for more than 40 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was defeated for reelection in the 1994 election...
- Former United States Representative - Frank Ikard - Former United States Representative
- Bob ArmstrongBob ArmstrongJoseph Melton James is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong. In the course of his career, which spanned five decades, Armstrong held numerous championships throughout the Southeastern United States...
- Former Under Secretary of Interior, Former Texas Land Commissioner - Lloyd BentsenLloyd BentsenLloyd Millard Bentsen, Jr. was a four-term United States senator from Texas and the Democratic Party nominee for Vice President in 1988 on the Michael Dukakis ticket. He also served in the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1955. In his later political life, he was Chairman of the Senate...
- Former Secretary of the Treasury, Former United States Senator - Don EvansDon EvansDonald Thomas "Don" Evans was a noted African-American playwright, theatre director, actor and educator.-Early life and education:...
- Former Secretary of Commerce, Former Chairman, Board of Regents, University of Texas - George BayoudGeorge BayoudGeorge Bayoud is a real estate investor in Dallas, Texas. In that role, he serves on the board of the Beck Group, the Crossroads Group and Fund, and the Bayoud Group...
- Former Texas Secretary of State - Lloyd Hand - Former Chief of Protocol of the United StatesChief of Protocol of the United StatesThe Chief of Protocol is an officer of the United States Department of State responsible for advising the President of the United States, the vice president, and the secretary of state on matters of national and international diplomatic protocol...
- Keith Brown - Former President of the Council of American Ambassadors, United States Ambassador to Denmark and Lesotho
- Robert StraussRobert Schwarz StraussRobert Schwarz Strauss is a figure in American politics and diplomacy. A Texas political figure, Strauss’s political service dates back to future president Lyndon Johnson’s first congressional campaign in 1937. By the 1950s, he was associated in Texas politics with the conservative faction of...
- Former Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Chairman, Democratic National Committee, Chairman, Carter Presidential Campaign - Peter R. Coneway - Former United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, prominent Investment Banker
- John HillJohn Hill-Politics:*John Hill , MP for Dorchester *John Hill , United States Representative from Virginia...
- Former Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court, Former Texas Attorney General, Former Texas Secretary of State - Barefoot Sanders - Retired Chief Judge, United States District Court
- John Singleton - Retired Chief Judge, United States District Court
- Sam SparksSam SparksSam Sparks is a federal judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.- Early life :After graduating from Austin High School as senior class president, Sparks received an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in 1961 where he was a member of the Texas...
- Federal Judge, United States District Court - Joe Greenhill - Former Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court
- Four PriceFour PriceWalter Thomas Price, IV, , known as Four Price because he is the fourth generation in his family to bear the name Walter Thomas Price, is an attorney from Amarillo, Texas, who is the Republican state representative from District 87 in the Texas Panhandle...
- Current member of the Texas House of Representatives
University figures
- Jack Blanton - Former Member, Board of Regents, University of Texas
- Ricardo RomoRicardo RomoRicardo Romo became the fifth president of The University of Texas at San Antonio in May 1999. As president, he leads one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in Texas....
- President, University of Texas at San Antonio - H. Scott Caven, Jr. - Current Chairman, Board of Regents, University of Texas System
- Wales Madden - Former Member, Board of Regents, University of Texas
- Patrick Oxford - Former Member, Board of Regents, University of Texas
- Howard RichardsHoward RichardsHoward Glenn Richards, Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. Richards was selected in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys out of the University of Missouri in the 1981 NFL Draft, 26th overall...
- Former Member, Board of Regents, University of Texas - Dr. James Willerson - President, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- W. Page KeetonW. Page KeetonWerdner Page Keeton was an attorney and dean of the University of Texas School of Law for a quarter century.-Education:...
- Former Dean of the University of Texas School of Law
Athletes and coaches
- Tom LandryTom LandryThomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
- Former Head Coach, Dallas Cowboys - David McWilliamsDavid McWilliamsDavid McWilliams is an Irish journalist and economist. McWilliams has worked with as an economist with Central Bank of Ireland and as a banker with UBS bank and the Banque Nationale de Paris...
- Former Head Football Coach, University of Texas - Earl CampbellEarl CampbellEarl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
- Heisman Trophy Winner, Running Back - Doug EnglishDoug EnglishLowell Douglas English is a former American football Defensive Tackle for the Detroit Lions...
- Detroit Lions, Defensive Tackle - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
- Cleveland Browns, Quarterback - Tommy NobisTommy NobisThomas Henry Nobis, Jr. is a former American football player. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker...
- Atlanta Falcons, Linebacker - Hunter LawrenceHunter LawrenceHunter Lawrence Tried out for the job of placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin.-High school career:...
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kicker - Cullen LoefflerCullen LoefflerCullen Crawford Loeffler is an American football long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.-Early years:Loeffler attended Ingram Tom Moore High School...
- Minnesota Vikings, Long Snapper
Others
- Denton CooleyDenton CooleyDenton Arthur Cooley is an American heart surgeon famous for performing the first implantation of a total artificial heart. Cooley is also founder and surgeon in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute, chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at St...
- Renowned Heart Surgeon - Thomas Lumpkin - Former President, Gulf Oil
- Benno C. Schmidt, Sr.Benno C. Schmidt, Sr.Benno Charles Schmidt, Sr. was an American lawyer and venture capitalist who was active in New York City civic affairs and played an important role in the initiation of the War on Cancer....
- Venture Capitalist - Charles E. Seay - Philanthropist and Investor
- Ronald Steinhart - Former Chairman and CEO of Bank One Commercial Banking Group
- Brad Heimann - President and COO of Craftmade International
- Michael Fourticq, Jr. - Partner at Hancock Park Associates
External links
- Texas Panhellenic Fraternities http://www.texaspanhellenic.org/
- Texas Cowboys Alumni Association http://www.texascowboysalumni.org/index2.cfm