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SHASTA LIVES ON...
She has to have a cage.
She has to have a keeper.
She has to have the best.
Shasta, the queen of all cats, ruled “The Yard.”
The Cougar Guard, who escorted her to games, lovingly
cared for Shasta—grooming, feeding, and walking
her daily. As Shasta and her handlers casually strolled
across campus one summer’s day, that stroll turned
into a gallop (yes, a gallop) in my direction. I, however
was calm, cool, and petrified. I stood still, closed
my eyes, and did what I do best: Yelled!
I’d visited her den often; she may have wanted to play.
She may have recognized me and wanted to get back
at me for startling her at a basketball game as the
Houston Honeys “strutted their stuff ” near her little
red wagon/cage. But unlike “The Lady” (Shasta II), “Baby” (Shasta IV), required careful handling.
That moment seemed like an eternity. When I
opened my eyes, “Baby” was back on track; and
I reluctantly went to class.
The commanding presence of a live cougar on
campus is just a memory. New mascot traditions
have emerged. The female Shasta is now a fully
costumed, male mascot accompanied by Sasha, a
female cougar mascot, who has been pumping up
the crowd since 1995.
Together, they keep the “Cougar Spirit” alive.
Memory lane isn’t far away. When I visit the
magnificent, life-sized, bronze cougar statues
guarding the steps of E. Cullen, I lovingly give
them a rub and remember the Cougar who
wanted to roam free.
— Jo Anne Davis-Jones (’79)
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• Live Cougar Mascots:
Shasta I
( 1947–1962 )
Shasta II
( 1962–1965 )
Shasta III
( 1965–1977 )
Shasta IV
( 1977–1980 )
Shasta V
( 1980–1989 )
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• Alpha Phi Omega purchased Shasta I.
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• Shasta’s Den, a small air-conditioned cage in Lynn Eusan Park, was where Shasta II made her home.
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• Our Learning.Leading. image campaign Cougar featured "Tigger," a professional animal model.
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Have a great UH memory for Then and Now?
We want to know at magazine@uh.edu.
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