Mustangs thunder to campus

Selection of a Mascot

On October 25, 1917, after two years as the Parsons, the University community voted from among four possibilities as an official mascot — Bison, Greyhounds, Pioneers, and Mustangs.

Mustangs was suggested by Miss Dorothy Amann, President Robert S. Hyer's secretary. She was struck by the idea while watching the team practice from her office in Dallas Hall. She said the team looked like "a herd of wild mustangs kicking up a cloud of dust," the name stuck and was made official.

No better symbol for SMU could have been chosen. Mustangs, who live in the wild in supportive, free-roaming herds, exhibit an unconquerable spirit, and survive by their strength, speed, toughness and endurance.