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Oscar Strahan's Sweater

Black and white portrait of Oscar Strahan

Oscar Strahan served as athletic director at Texas State for 42 years, from 1919 to 1961.  He coached football, basketball, and track and field. 

 

Upon his arrival at Southwest Texas State Normal College in 1919, he discovered that the school lacked a mascot.  When a Student Council committee selected the bobcat as a mascot at the suggestion of Biology professor C. Spurgeon Smith, Strahan approved of the choice. 

 

The football team first used the mascot in 1921 and had an undefeated season.  By the time Strahan retired in 1961, the basketball team had earned a national championship.

Pro tip:  The name Strahan rhymes with the word "strand" — but without the "d."

Photograph of the inside label of the sweater with the name "Strahan" sewn inside.

A view of the label inside of Strahan's sweater.

Photograph of Strahan's letter sweater, focusing on the large letter "T" with smaller letters "SW" embroidered at the base.

The "letter" appears on the left front.