When the world thinks of the Wyoming Cowboys, it thinks of a team that has been through it all. The Cowboys have an all-time football record of 568–608–28, which includes 14 conference titles and 10 bowl wins.
While they haven’t always been in the football spotlight, they are a team that cannot be ignored. And through the highs and lows, one thing has remained constant: Wyoming’s wild western spirit. That same spirit lives in their beloved mascot!
What Is the Wyoming Cowboys’ Mascot?
At Laramie on game day, two things simply cannot be missed. One of the things is the cowboy named Pistol Pete. And the other is a pony called Cowboy Joe. Together, they’re the beating heart of Wyoming football.
And yes, Wyoming has two mascots. Now, let’s start with Pistol Pete. He made his debut in 1917 and was redesigned in 2002. Pete is the ultimate rootin’-tootin’’ cowboy. He is a student decked out in full Wild West regalia with a 10-gallon hat, handlebar ‘stache, and rallying the crowd from the sidelines. But Pete doesn’t ride alone.
There is the ever-so-glorious Cowboy Joe. Joe is a Shetland pony who is not very tall. Cowboy Joe V is the fifth pony to carry this adorable but mighty tradition. Joe runs across the end zone after every home-team touchdown like he owns the place. Fans love him. Kids adore him. And the handlers know that he has a mind of his own.
The head handler, Alexa Rigsby, has even said, “Cowboy Joe is such an important mascot for UW and UW Football because of the spirit of the West that he represents.” And he really does read the room.
He’ll pose for toddlers, stay chill at small events, and perk up when he hears that, like the Cowboys, the pony has changed, but their roots don’t. Every Cowboy Joe comes from Farthing Ranch in Laramie County, a family legacy just like the Cowboys themselves. But why are Joe and Pete the mascots? Why not a bear, or a bird?
Why Was the Wyoming Cowboys a Pistol Pete?
The story of “why” starts with a blizzard and a survivor. As the tale goes, during one brutal winter, a young Shetland pony was found alive next to its mother, who hadn’t survived the storm. The foal had battled the cold and lived.
The locals looked at the tiny horse and said, “Tough as a cowboy.” And that’s how the legend of Cowboy Joe was born. Since 1950, the Farthing family has gifted each new Cowboy Joe to the University, and everyone has carried that spirit of survival.
And the students love him. “He gets very excited when we do parades and football games, but is generally very calm at smaller events,” Rigsby said. “He knows exactly what his job is.” But what about Pete? Why does Wyoming share this cowboy caricature with Oklahoma State?
KEEP READING: Indiana Hoosiers Mascot History
Well, this one is an interesting story. It turns out, both schools found inspiration in the same kind of Wild West figure. Wyoming says Pete appeared on campus as early as 1917. Oklahoma State made it official in 1958, basing their version on Frank Eaton.
Now, Eaton, as the world knows, is a real-life cowboy legend. Trademark issues popped up, but eventually, the two schools reached a gentleman’s agreement. Now, both schools have their version of Pete.
Ultimately, Wyoming’s mascots represent the heart of the Cowboy State.
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