Texas Longhorn Traditions

Fans and alumni of the University of Texas at Austin (UT) hold the Longhorn -- the university mascot -- traditions dear. Like many traditions that have been passed from one generation to the next, the origins can be sketchy, but that does not stop the stories from being told nor diminish the enjoyment fans get from participating. UT is immortalized by color, a famous and infamous tower, a hand sign and a barnyard animal.

  1. Burnt Orange

    • Burnt orange has been the constant, distinguishable color of the Longhorns for decades.

      Any fan might think it strange to not have "official" university colors, but such was the case in the 1800s for UT. For years it vacillated among orange and gold with white, and even adding maroon. The student body got a vote on the matter in 1899, and orange and white survived. In 1928 the football coach ordered a darker shade to outlast the wear and tear that caused the orange to turn yellow. The more expensive dye was suspended during the Great Depression, but football coach Darryl Royal resurrected it in the 1960s, and it has remained the signature color ever since.

    Lighting of the Tower

    • UT's Head of Physical Plant Carl J. Eckhardt was supervising construction of the university's Main Building Tower when he decided to design a lighting system with orange light to recognize special university achievements. The first lighting appeared in 1937, and official guidelines were established a decade later. In 2001, a committee established more specific guidelines that are more inclusive for individuals and events, including solemn occasions such as commemorating the 1966 Tower shooting, while encompassing several lighting configurations.

    The Hook 'em Horns Hand Sign

    • The Hook 'em sign is ubiquitous across UT and at sporting events.

      UT student Henry Pitts came up with the hand sign that represents the horn spread of Longhorn cattle, made by extending the pinky and index fingers in the air, with the thumb across the folded second and third fingers. He taught it to head cheerleader Harley Clark in 1955, who was looking for a sign that would serve as a response to rival Texas A&M's "gig 'em" gesture. Clark taught it to the student body at a pep rally, and the rest, as they say, is history, now noted as one of the most recognizable hand signs by Sports Illustrated.

    Bevo, the Longhorn Mascot

    • Bevo watches carefully over Longhorn football.

      The University's first Longhorn mascot was an unplanned event, presented by an alumnus as a gift in 1916 during halftime at a UT and A&M football game. The university magazine's editor, writing a story about the gift, simply called him Bevo, and the name stuck. UT incarnates Bevo as necessary, and he is carefully transported, handled and trained so that he casually enjoys Longhorn football from the end zone.

    Other Traditions

    • As with many major colleges, several other traditions are well-known to the community, students, faculty and alumni but may not be as obvious to the outside world. At UT these include "The Eyes of Texas" and "Texas Fight" songs, Smokey the Cannon and the Texas Seal.