WTAMU Live Mascot - Buffalo
The first University buffaloes were purchased in 1922 from Colonel and Mrs. Charles C. Goodnight and were appropriately named Charles C. (Charlie) and Mary Ann. Both lived on campus, but it was Charlie who captured the spotlight, ran the sidelines at the football games and paraded the Homecoming streets. Charlie, after 13 years as the University's first mascot, died in 1935 and was mounted for posterity. The huge lifeless figure failed to motivate the football team as he once had and was finally retired to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
The University went without a live mascot until Thunder (called Lollipop) was purchased in 1977. Thunder II (Buford), Thunder III (Max) and Thunder IV (B.J., the offspring of Buford and Lollipop) took turns until 1987 when Thunder V (Ladee), began her nine-year reign. Ladee, now retired at a ranch just outside of Muleshoe, was replaced in January 1996 with a seven-month-old, 400-pound female calf. Officially, she is known as Thunder VI and has been given the nickname Sadee.
Sadee is cared for year-round by the Herdsmen, an on-campus spirit organization comprised of students who promote school spirit, leadership and service. The Herdsmen have been responsible for each live mascot since Thunder I in 1977. Undoubtedly, the Herdsmen provide one of the most cherished and unique services to West Texas A&M and their work is appreciated by thousands upon thousands of alumni who fondly look upon Sadee as a source of great pride and tradition at WT.
WTAMU Herdsmen
The purpose of the West Texas A&M University Herdsmen is to engage itself in the active promotion to the university in the area of school spirit, public image, leadership, and service. It is also the purpose of the Herdsmen to provide and care for the buffalo, "Thunder", which is the official mascot of West Texas A&M University.
If you're interested in joining, contact us. Our Public Relations officer, Marc Rachel, can be reached at (940)882-2878, and he would be more than willing to answer any questions you might have.
