CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M Athletics is proud to announce a special Legacy Night, to honor the heritage of the Herdsmen on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during the Lady Buffs and Buffs basketball doubleheader against Angelo State inside the First United Bank Center. The evening will honor the legacy, impact, and enduring spirit of the WTAMU Herdsmen, one of the nation's most unique and storied spirit organizations.
 
Founded in the Fall of 1977 during the West Texas State era, the Herdsmen now proudly continue their mission at West Texas A&M as the dedicated caretakers of Thunder, the university's live buffalo mascot. With Thunder being one of only two live buffalo mascots in the entire country, the Herdsmen play a vital role in maintaining a tradition that is deeply woven into the identity of WT. Beyond Gameday, the Herdsmen devote countless hours to community engagement across Canyon and the Texas Panhandle educating youth, participating in civic events, and ensuring Thunder remains an accessible, inspiring symbol of pride for the region.
 
To celebrate their history and mission, both WT basketball programs will take the court in custom Herdsmen-themed gear.

• The Women's Basketball team will debut special edition uniforms designed to pay homage to the organization's heritage and its dedication to Thunder.
• The Men's Basketball team will warm up in exclusive shoot-around shirts inspired by the Herdsmen.

 Following the doubleheader, both the commemorative uniforms and shirts will be made available for purchase. All proceeds will directly benefit the Herdsmen, supporting their ongoing mission, care for Thunder, and future program development.
 
"We are so excited to merge the spirit of WT Basketball with the tradition of the Herdsmen" said Zoe Spencer, Associate AD for Branding & Strategic Initiatives. "The Herdsmen are essential to not only our Gameday culture, but the heart of this university. Honoring them through this event is a small way to recognize the enormous impact they have on WT and our community."
 
"I am so proud of the Herdsmen and all they do for the University and community, these students truly care about our live mascots and supporting all students at WT" said Dr. Kelly Jones, Herdsmen advisor "We are honored to get to be a part of this special Legacy Night. Weather permitting, we will have Thunder XV and Thunder XVI in front of the First United Bank Center to greet fans as they come into the game."
 
Tipoff for the Lady Buffs is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the Buffs at 7:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, arrive early to meet Thunder, and join WT Athletics in celebrating a one-of-a-kind WT tradition and the students who sustain it.
 
Don't miss a moment, follow @wtamubuffs across all social channels for the latest updates, announcements, and inside access leading up to Legacy Night.