True Texas Spirit is that internalized pride carried in the hearts of those lucky enough to walk this campus. It settles inside us when we first arrive and it stays, after turning our blood orange, for the rest of our lives. It is the thing that the poets try to name, the definition of what it means to be a Longhorn. The Texas Spirit Squad is the physical manifestation of that intangible sense of belonging by supporting not just the athletic programs, but the entire campus community. 

The spirit squad began in the 1890s as an organization of student and faculty athletic supporters that grew into a few select students leading organized yells from the sidelines. The first Yell Leader at UT was Rentfro B. Creager, elected by the appropriately named Rootatorial Club in 1899 (eight years before Texas A&M began its tradition of male yell leaders). Members of the Longhorn Spirit Squads have always made significant contributions to our campus and our state whether it’s the creation of the iconic hook ‘em hand signal by Harley Clark, holding a seat in the US Senate like Kay Bailey Hutchison, graduating from the UT Law School and developing a successful career as an attorney like Shenikwa Nowlin, or founding and running a successful fintech company like Amy Morgan Porter.

Today, the Texas Spirit Squad consists of over one hundred members making up an all-women’s cheer team (“white squad”), a co-ed cheer team (“orange squad”), the pom dance team, and Hook ‘Em, a beloved mascot. This exhibit celebrates the history of Texas Spirit and the vibrant culture and proud traditions they’ve made popular that shape the identity of the University.

Special thanks is owed to Martin Luecke, historian of the Texas Cheer & Pom Alumni Network, Texas Spirit Head Coach Blair Taylor and Associate Head Coach Andy Pendleton, Mary Gayle Brindley, Karla Shelby, and the many wonderful folks who have been a part of Texas Spirit through the years and  served as such great ambassadors for the University.