Sam Houston State University has always had that Texas vibe, and its football team shows it the best. Since fielding its first squad back in 1912, the Sam Houston Bearkats have built a legacy. They have had 573 victories, 15 conference titles, and even two national championships—one in 1964 under the NAIA banner and the other in 2020.
With the playoff record of 24–12 and a bowl record of 3–1–1, the Beerkats are playing to win. Now, under the leadership of Phil Longo, their 16th head coach, the Bearkats are ready to make some wins in Conference USA. But before the touchdowns and tackles, let’s look at the fur-filled history of the school’s mascot that is seen at every home game.
What Is the Sam Houston Mascot?
The Sam Houston mascot is Sammy Bearkat. He is a cheerleader, and honestly, a bit of a legend. Sammy can be found hyping up the crowd at Bearkat football games, dancing courtside at basketball games, and popping up at all university events. He is the life of the party and even has a championship-winning routine.
In 2025, Sammy even danced and roared to a national title at the United Spirit Association Collegiate National Championship. He also won the NCA Mascot National Champion crown in 2010 and 2011. But the best moment was when Sammy teamed up with SHSU’s Co-Ed Cheer Team in 2012.
The merger led to Sammy winning the Division I Cheer National Collegiate Championship. He then kept the streak alive with back-to-back titles in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Sammy Bearkat has more titles than an average football program. But it was not always Sammt Bearkat that bought into the hype.
Sam Houston’s mascot with the near accidental truck stick pic.twitter.com/sESPq5OZci
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In 1996, there was also a Samantha Bearkat. Her fashion game was iconic, thanks to Cindy Coe and her mom’s custom creations. Samantha showed up in everything from homecoming gowns to vintage bikinis. Though she retired in 2005, her wardrobe left a legacy. Some of her outfits are part of the Florida Gators mascot crew today.
Oh, and there was also Airkat. This was a giant inflatable version of Sammy, who bounced onto the scene in the mid-2000s. He has since been deflated, but the costume’s still hanging around on campus.
Why Was the Sam Houston Mascot a Bearkat?
Also, what is a Bearkat? Well, the answer is nobody knows. Some say it’s a kinkajou, a tiny, tree-loving carnivore from South America. Others point to the binturong, a slow-moving creature with a face only a mascot could love. But the truth is, when Sam Houston State decided to drop the old “Normals” nickname, no in-depth wildlife study followed.
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Instead, they leaned into a phrase folks tossed around at the time. “Tough as a Bearkat!” The Bearkat is not about biology; it is an attitude. Something a bit mythical and unique. In the late 1940s, there was even an attempt to swap out the mascot for the “Ravens”. But the Bearkat crowd wasn’t having it. “All those old Bearkats beat us out!” said one alum. And just like that, Sammy stayed.
To make it even better, in the ’60s and ’70s, SHSU brought in live kinkajous to campus. Whether they were Bearkats or just exotic stand-ins, no one’s sure. But hey, the mystery only adds to the legend.
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