The Oklahoma State Cowboys logo is iconic, and the mascot has been a long-standing symbol of grit and Southwestern swagger. But few know that Pistol Pete is based on a real-life cowboy.
But where did the Cowboys’ mascot come from, and why do some people refer to the team as the Pokes?
Who Is the Oklahoma State Cowboys Mascot?
Pistol Pete is iconic and one of the first things people think of when they envision the Oklahoma State logo. But while the Cowboys’ mascot has animated, larger-than-life features, he’s actually based on a real person.
Cowboy Frank B. Eaton was a U.S. Marshall born in 1860. But it wasn’t until much later in his life that he became the inspiration for the Oklahoma State Cowboy.
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On Armistice Day 1923, Eaton rode a horse through Stillwater as part of the parade. Some Oklahoma A&M (the former name of what is now Oklahoma State) students spotted him looking regal and thought he’d be a fantastic mascot.
The students began using him as the informal “Pistol Pete” mascot. When Eaton died in 1958, students began dressing up as him (or Pistol Pete), and he was quickly adopted as the official mascot for the school.
Why Is Oklahoma State Sometimes Called the Pokes?
While Oklahoma State’s official mascot is the Cowboy, many students and fans informally call the team the “Pokes.” In fact, the school’s official non-profit NIL collective is called “Pokes With A Purpose.”
The reason is quite simple. In the western part of the United States, there are plenty of cowboys, and many times, they are referred to as the Cowpokes. As is the case with many nicknames, this often gets shortened to “Pokes.”
So, when someone says, “Go Pokes,” it’s simply an informal way to say, “Go Cowboys,” and they cheer on their favorite team.
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