Who's That Masked Cat? Or, The Curious Case of the UH Mascot
So, you wanna know about the University of Houston's mascot? Well, buckle up, 'cause this is gonna be a wild ride.
Meet Shasta (or Shasta II, III, IV, V, VI, or VII, depending on when you're reading this)
Let's get one thing straight: the University of Houston's mascot is not a human dressed up in a goofy costume. Nope, we're talking about a real, live, breathing, potentially teeth-gnashing cougar. And its name is Shasta. Or, more accurately, it's Shasta something, because there have been multiple Shastas over the years. It's like a cougar dynasty.
You might be wondering, "Why a cougar?" Well, apparently, someone in the early days of the university thought a big, ferocious cat would be a fitting symbol of strength and courage. And hey, it worked! Now, every time a Houston Cougar scores a touchdown, you can practically hear the rival team whispering, "Uh-oh, we're gonna get mauled."
The Life of a Mascot (or, How to Survive Being a Cougar)
Being a university mascot isn't all glamour and glory. There are cheerleading routines to master, football games to attend, and, most importantly, endless amounts of catnip to consume. Shasta probably has a personal trainer, a nutritionist, and a therapist to deal with the stress. I mean, imagine being recognized on campus and expected to roar on command. It's a tough gig.
So, How Do You Become a Cougar?
Okay, so you can't actually become a cougar (unless you're really into cosplay and have an uncanny resemblance to a big cat). But you can support the University of Houston by attending games, wearing Cougar gear, or simply cheering them on from your couch. And if you're feeling really adventurous, you could try learning to roar. Just don't scare the neighbors.
How To... Cougar Edition
- How to become a UH superfan: Wear your Cougar gear proudly, attend games, and learn the fight song by heart.
- How to impress your friends with your UH knowledge: Drop facts about Shasta, the university's history, or famous alumni.
- How to survive a football game: Stock up on snacks, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to cheer until your voice is gone.
- How to avoid getting eaten by a cougar (just in case): Don't approach a wild cougar, make yourself look bigger, and back away slowly.
- How to order a Cougar-themed drink: Ask your bartender for something strong and preferably orange.