BYU Mascot Name: The Brigham Young University (BYU) mascot name is "Cougars". The cougar was chosen as the mascot in 1923, replacing the previous mascot, the "Y". The choice of the cougar represents the strong, fierce, and agile nature that the university aims to instill in its students. The selection of the cougar as the mascot was influenced by the fact that the cougar is native to the Western United States, where BYU is located. The animal is known for its speed, agility, and strength, which aligns with the values and characteristics that BYU aspires to foster in its students. The cougar mascot has become an integral part of BYU's athletic culture and is widely recognized and celebrated at sporting events and other university gatherings.

Cosmo

The Cougar, chosen as BYU's mascot by former coach Eugene L. Roberts in the early 1920s, has undergone a tremendous evolution since its inception to become what is now the feline phenomenon known as Cosmo the Cougar.

BYU purchased a pair of cougar cubs for 50 cents each in 1924 to excite BYU fans at athletic events. Live cougars prowled the sidelines of BYU games on a regular basis through the late 1940s and on special occasions through the 1960s.

The original cubs were housed on the south side of campus until 1929 when they managed to break out of their cage, kill two dogs and begin stalking livestock on nearby farms. Both were recaptured later the same day. One Cougar died, apparently from natural causes, three weeks later, and the other was taken to the old Salt Lake Zoo. From then on, BYU procured its mascots from nearby zoos and local bounty hunters but never owned its own cougars again.

Cosmo the Cougar, the brainchild of then-pep chairman Dwayne Stevenson, made his first official appearance before BYU fans on October 15, 1953. At a cost of 73 dollars for the costume, Daniel T. Gallego, Stevenson's roommate, became the first man under the fur. The name Cosmo was derived from BYU's diverse student body.

"BYU is a very international, cosmopolitan school, and that is where we got the name Cosmo," said Gallego.

One of Gallego's brightest memories of Cosmo was when he wasn't wearing the costume. Ernest Wilkinson, then-president of BYU, once donned the disguise at a pep rally and, much to everyone's surprise, "acted just like me," said Gallego, "When he took the mask off, everyone was shocked."

Traditionally, Cosmo's identity was kept secret throughout the school year, not to be revealed until the final home basketball game of the year. Unable to communicate verbally, Cosmo uses exaggerated gestures and body language to get his point across to the BYU faithful.

Being a crowd-pleasing, show-stealing symbol of Cougar pride can have a down side. Sparking the Cougar crowd has at times enticed opposing audiences to attempt to "skin the cat."

"In Wyoming, I had to walk around the entire game with my tail in my hand so that someone wouldn't pull it off," said Brian Larney, who was Cosmo in 1981. "On the other hand, I was protected from all the flying crowd debris by the cougar head."

With more than a half-century of service to the BYU community, Cosmo has become an icon of Cougar sports to fans and foes across the country. Through Cosmo's Kids Club, Team Cosmo and Cosmo's Corner, he is helping raise another generation of BYU fans.

The Brick Oven, a historical restaurant in Provo, helped bring Cosmo to a whole new level in 2001. Thanks to the generosity of owner Glee Zumbrennen, Cosmo was equipped with a brand new custom van appropriately named the Cosmobile.

The van includes a 1600-watt, 12-speaker stereo system, a dance stage on top, a basketball hoop, a variety of specialty lights, a fog machine, several sirens and a cordless public address system. The van also includes a complete wrap featuring Cosmo. The Cosmobile provides a way for Cosmo to be involved in the local community and bring the Cougar spirit to fans at athletic competitions both home and away.

Cosmo the Cougar

Cosmo the Cougar is the official mascot of Brigham Young University's (BYU) athletic teams. He can be seen at many sporting events, wearing the uniform of the team that is playing. In the past, Cosmo's job was a volunteer position, and no scholarship or academic assistance was given. However scholarships and other benefits are offered today. The mascot is expected to be involved in civic events and university functions.

The cougar mascot has become an integral part of BYU's athletic culture and is widely recognized and celebrated at sporting events and other university gatherings. The mascot is portrayed at games and events by a student dressed in a cougar costume, adding an element of fun and excitement to the overall atmosphere. The cougar mascot serves as a symbol of pride, unity, and sportsmanship for BYU students, alumni, and fans.

Contents

• 1 History of Cosmo
• 2 Before the costume
• 3 Cosmo comes to life
• 4 Cosmo undergoes cosmetic surgery
• 5 Cosmo and the media
• 6 Cosmo today
• 7 Past Cosmos
  • 7.1 Cosmo's Gallery

  History of Cosmo [ ]

  

  It represents the university's commitment to excellence, competitiveness, and a strong sense of community. In summary, the BYU mascot name is "Cougars," and it represents the university's values of strength, agility, and unity. The cougar mascot holds significance in the university's athletic culture and serves as a source of pride and camaraderie for the BYU community..

  Reviews for "The BYU Mascot Name: Uniting Fans Across the Nation"

  1. John - 2 stars

  I was really disappointed when I heard that the BYU mascot name was going to be "Cougar." I feel like it's such a generic and overused name for a sports team. It lacks originality and creativity. I was hoping for something more unique and representative of the university. The choice of "Cougar" feels lazy and lacks the fun and energy that a mascot should bring. I think BYU missed an opportunity to come up with something more memorable that would resonate with their fans and students.

  2. Emily - 1 star

  I absolutely despise the new BYU mascot name "Cougars." It's just so boring and uninspired. When I think of a college mascot, I think of something lively and exciting, and "Cougars" just doesn't fit the bill. Plus, there are already so many other sports teams out there with the same exact name. It's unoriginal and lacks any sort of uniqueness. Overall, I think BYU could have done a much better job in selecting a mascot name that would have generated more excitement and pride among its supporters.

  3. Mike - 2 stars

  As a BYU alumnus, I was really hoping for a more creative and meaningful mascot name for my alma mater. "Cougars" is such a generic choice and doesn't accurately represent the values and spirit of BYU. I feel like the university missed an opportunity to come up with something that would have truly reflected the strong academic and religious background of the institution. The choice of "Cougars" feels like a cop-out and doesn't do justice to all the dedicated students and alumni who have passed through BYU. It's disappointing to see such a lack of creativity in selecting a mascot name.

  The BYU Mascot Name: A Look at its Role in Traditions and Rituals