The Tradition of the…

Name

San Angelo Junior College opened in the fall of 1928.  The two-year college was located on the southwest corner of North Oakes and East Second streets, across from the current Central Freshman campus and enrolled 112 students the first year. Tuition was $75.00 for city residents and $150.00 for non-residents.  It’s first commencement was in May 1929 and honored six graduates.  SAJC changed its name to San Angelo College in 1932, which it remained until 1965, when the then four-year institution’s name was changed to Angelo State College.  One of the supposed reasons the college was not named San Angelo State was so that it would appear at the top of an alphabetized list of state four-year institutions, effectively becoming the No. 1 college in Texas.  In 1969, the name changed the fourth and final time to Angelo State University.

Mascots

The first mascot was Shorty, a purebred Rambouillet ram nicknamed “Ramses I,” and was given to the college in 1940 by the rancher father of two SAC coeds. The ram was officially renamed “Dominic” after a contest was held Homecoming of 1963.  The name was chosen from over fifty other entries and is believed to have originated from the popular Singing Nun folk song Dominique, which was at the top of the pop charts that year.  The cartoon-like character “Tuffy the Ram,” was created in 1969 and became the most recognized symbol of the ASU Rams, gracing T-shirts, coffee mugs, flags and all other kinds of university items. Soon after, the third ASU mascot, Roscoe the Ram was created in 1970 when a fraternity brother of Pi Kappa Alpha donned a fur-and-felt ram’s head constructed around a motorcycle helmet in an effort to boost school spirit.  The fraternity still takes responsibility for Roscoe and elects the pep-inducing student under the costume.  In 1975, “Scooter,” a sweetly portrayed running lamb, became the mascot of women’s athletics, but by late 1990’s, the ASU Rams’s Head logo had replaced both “Tuffy” and “Scooter” as the symbol of both men’s and women’s athletics.   Dominic and Roscoe both remain prominent symbols of the university.

The Memorial Oak Grove, one of Angelo State’s most respected traditions, was dedicated in 1949 in honor of the 29 SAC students who lost their life in World War II.  The twenty-nine trees were planted by SAC athletes as part of their work-scholarship program.  Today, each November on Veterans Day, the cadets of Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 hold an all-night vigil in honor and remembrance of the original 29 SAC students and other ASU students who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  ASU students also hold a memorial service each year for Angelo State students who have passed during the school year.

 

 

Athletic Colors

Gum Tree

Located at the southwest corner of the Porter Henderson Library, the“gum tree” is probably one of ASU’s most interesting traditions.  The tree is actually a mesquite tree speckled with the pastel colors of used chewing gum.  No one is certain who stuck the first piece of chewing gum to the bark or when it happened, but many have followed his or her lead.  There is a belief on campus that depositing your gum on the tree will bring good luck based on the legend of one early gum-chewing suitor who stuck his gum to the tree prior to asking his girlfriend to marry him.  Truth or fiction aside, students continue the “sticky” tradition with great affection. An estimated 3,500 pieces now grace the tree and the largest wad has measured out at 10 square inches.

 

 

 

 

Class Ring

The Angelo State University Official Class Ring was unveiled in 2003.  Before that time, any student could customize their own ring—leaving no continuity or consistency.  Seeing a need for a consistent representation of the University—one unique to Angelo State that all student and ASU alumni could recognize—students, faculty and alumni conceived the Official Ring.  The Angelo State University Official Ring is now recognized as a well-earned symbol of achievement of academic and personal success, second only to the diploma itself.  Those who have earned the prestigious right to wear the ring can participate in the Official Ring Ceremony, a special ceremony where each ring is personally presented by the President of the University.  In 2006, students began running their ring through the fleece of Dominic in a fun and symbolic way of “initiating” their ring and celebrating the occasion.  More than 350 ASU students have received their ring since the first Ring Ceremony in April 2004.