Hook 'Em
Hook 'Em the official costumed mascot of The University of Texas at Austin's athletic teams, is a prominent figure at various sports events. Known for its enthusiastic presence, Hook 'Em is regularly seen entertaining crowds and boosting team spirit on the sidelines of Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium during football games. Additionally, the mascot makes appearances at the Moody Center for basketball games, engaging fans and contributing to the lively atmosphere. Beyond these sporting events, Hook 'Em's presence can be requested for various events through the Texas Athletics website, allowing the mascot to extend its reach and spirit beyond the athletic fields and courts, engaging with the broader university community and its supporters.
| Hook 'Em | |
|---|---|
Hook 'Em in front of the Tower | |
| University | The University of Texas at Austin |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Description | Anthropomorphic longhorn |
| Origin of name | Hook 'em Horns hand gesture |
| First seen | in 1975 - Steven “Sox” Sockler Created the Hook’em Costume mascot in the summer of 1975 with the assistance of Hugh Head, art professor at Lamar University in Beaumont. Sockler and Head built the headpiece and Sockler’s mother, Margaret Sockler, sewed the costume.
The mascot costume was approved by the University Spirit Committee in September 1975 to only be used at Texas basketball games. Sockler first wore the costume at the OU Pep Rally at Gregory Gym. After the basketball season started, Sockler wore it at all home games. It was at the first game that Wally Pryor, announcer, gave the mascot costume the name “Hook’em”. At the end of the 1976 basketball season, Sockler donated Hook’em to the Spirit Committee. That costume was used for four more years before being replaced with an improved version in 1980. <name="Statesman_Trotter">Trotter, Jim (June 3, 1979). "First Hook 'Em hangs up horns". Austin American-Statesman. pp. D1 – via Newspapers.com.</ref> |
| Related mascot(s) | Bevo |