tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22831286609165925462024-02-20T01:00:29.951-08:00The Kat PackHome of former and current Sammy BearkatsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-40748557707574139692011-01-20T06:34:00.000-08:002011-01-20T06:42:38.251-08:00PatG Wins "Mascot of the Year" Again!Congratulations to former Sammy, PatG, who was named "Mascot of the Year" for the second year in a row by GameOps.com, a sports operations website that serves the sports entertainment industry (which means they <span style="font-style:italic;">know</span> their mascots!)<br /><br />Pat performs as "Thunder" for the Lake Elisnore Storm in California.<br /><br />Here's the write-up from the <a href="http://www.gameops.com/2010/2010/p=3">GameOps website:</a><br /><br /><blockquote>For the second year in a row the Lake Elisnore Storm mascot Thunder won over our panel with his inspired on-field entertainment as well as his on-line social media efforts. One panelist gushed that Thunder is an unsung hero among the group of high profile mascots nominees. The Lake Elisnore program is one of the best in the business, valued and supported by the organization and utilized to drive revenue and branding for the team and the performer make Thunder innovative, funny and memorable.</blockquote><br /><br />Congratulations, Pat!<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GTrprIFdGWw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-51487190445260441812010-12-14T09:37:00.000-08:002010-12-14T09:42:15.680-08:00Happy Birthday, Sammy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdvFtSHbTg4AMYahcx37dtnPWCNpORsvcrrSmfCdN7ZEacKr29lnPaWwL9MkSCAR3MPawVU10GpY6DW7GNxeH1JgF1dludCINpFPgphbmD7Q7BJpkudE9zBNw-df5GZlcAK6EHPCSQkk/s1600/Standing+Sammy+Full+Color-XS.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdvFtSHbTg4AMYahcx37dtnPWCNpORsvcrrSmfCdN7ZEacKr29lnPaWwL9MkSCAR3MPawVU10GpY6DW7GNxeH1JgF1dludCINpFPgphbmD7Q7BJpkudE9zBNw-df5GZlcAK6EHPCSQkk/s320/Standing+Sammy+Full+Color-XS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550594563907013906" /></a><br />Happy 51st Birthday today to Sammy Bearkat! In honor of Sammy's birthday today, let's all put on a hot, bulky, heavy costume and play with oversized toys.<br /><br />Or just have a cupcake and reminisce about the good times. Whatever turns you on...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-77853819440795119112010-07-18T04:21:00.001-07:002010-07-18T04:21:49.823-07:00Super Sammy<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kaNpIkjTjOo&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kaNpIkjTjOo&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Thanks to Trent for sending this in.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-25539496599336736972010-04-24T06:14:00.000-07:002010-04-24T06:22:19.747-07:00News: Leftwich Reflects on Mascot WinFrom the <a href="http://itemonline.com/local/x993511910/A-Real-Character">Huntsville Item:</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px; "><span class="pub_date" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-size: 1.5em; font-family: Baskerville, 'Goudy Old Style', Palatino, 'Book Antiqua', serif; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; line-height: inherit; "><br /></span><span class="pub_date" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-size: 1.5em; font-family: Baskerville, 'Goudy Old Style', Palatino, 'Book Antiqua', serif; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; line-height: inherit; "><br /></span><span class="pub_date" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-size: 1.5em; font-family: Baskerville, 'Goudy Old Style', Palatino, 'Book Antiqua', serif; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; line-height: inherit; ">April 23, 2010</span><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 4em; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 0.9em; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); ">A Real Character</h3><h4 class="subhead" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 2.25em; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); letter-spacing: -0.09em; ">Leftwich reflects on mascot win</h4><p class="story_meta" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1.25em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.25; "><span class="story_credit" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; line-height: 1; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); ">By Mary Rainwater</span><span class="story_source" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Staff Reporter</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1.25em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.25; ">HUNTSVILLE — While the average Sam Houston State University fan may not know senior Jarrod Leftwich by sight, they do see him more than they realize — as university mascot Sammy Bearkat.<br /><br />Leftwich, 23, who has played the role of Sammy for five years now, recently made history for the mascot program — winning first place in the National Cheerleading Association’s Mascot Nationals competition in Daytona Beach, Fla. on April 10.<br /><br />“I first had to send in a video entry to NCA,” Leftwich said. “And of the 16 videos sent in, Sammy was one of 10 mascots in the division chosen to attend nationals.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTvejRChY20pBhxhuZx2NGEfzbxfpAfokD4qQvJ6ithzJoJ9JDF2ylx5nL_1gsIMLlizIjWE5pBEyfcjzE-BqpSOmWASQ1eTf5Vp_93TyJWdaWsD8VVywKJ7XF6DCa1n2v-V5xUxvxi8/s1600/SammyNationalChamp2010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTvejRChY20pBhxhuZx2NGEfzbxfpAfokD4qQvJ6ithzJoJ9JDF2ylx5nL_1gsIMLlizIjWE5pBEyfcjzE-BqpSOmWASQ1eTf5Vp_93TyJWdaWsD8VVywKJ7XF6DCa1n2v-V5xUxvxi8/s400/SammyNationalChamp2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463693665944207426" /></a>Those 10 were joined by four automatic qualifiers from camp, with 14 total mascots competing.<br /><br />“I competed at nationals, performing a 90-minute skit for judges,” he said. “They named the top five, with Sammy winning first place.”<br /><br />The victory was bittersweet for Leftwich, he said, having placed second in the previous year when he, and others, felt they should have won in 2009.<br /><br />“This year was different for us, though,” he said. “We went into it with total confidence, even praying beforehand, and we came out victorious.<br /><br />This was a history making year for Sammy — the first year for the SHSU mascot to win first place at the NCA Championship.<br /><br />“It is just now starting to become real for me,” Leftwich said. “I have been waiting five years for this.<br /><br />“I just can’t completely describe how I feel about it,” he added. “I am proud of the team and of myself for what we have done — bringing the program from the bottom to the top, and now being known nationally as well as locally and statewide.”<br /><br />Leftwich takes his role as Sammy very seriously, calling it his own unique outlet for expressing how he feels about SHSU.<br /><br />“I am proud to represent my university in this way,” he said. “I love everything about Sam Houston State University.<br /><br />“It is a great way to express how I feel, by winning a national championship for the university.”<br /><br />Leftwich is in his second year as mascot captain, leading a team of five SHSU mascots who attend SHSU sporting events and make special appearances in the community.<br /><br />“I have really enjoyed participating at games,” Leftwich said. “Sammy plays a huge role in the university — he is an icon.<br /><br />“What we do has a big influence on other people,” he added. “It is our goal to get all the fans going.”<br /><br />One of the highlights of Leftwich’s career as Sammy occurred earlier this year, when the Bearkats played Stephen F. Austin University during the Southland Conference basketball tournament.<br /><br />“It was the first time I was ever able to get the entire crowd to stand up and do what I wanted,” he said. “That is always a mascot’s goal, and for me, it was the second proudest moment as Sammy.<br /><br />“My entire senior year has been a dream,” he added. “I have enjoyed seeing a lot of people — doing birthday appearances, being at games — and the kids love Sammy, they all know who he is.”<br /><br />Leftwich’s first role as a mascot was as a student at Linden Killdare High School, where he spent four years as “Tony the Tiger.”<br /><br />“Ever since I was in sixth grade, I wanted to be a mascot,” he said. “When my freshman year came around, I talked to the coach about being mascot, and she asked why I hadn’t come to her sooner.<br /><br />“I started as the high school mascot at the third football game of the season, a home game,” he added. “I have been doing it ever since.”<br /><br />When looking a colleges, Leftwich tried out for mascot at both SHSU and at the University of North Texas in Denton.<br /><br />“I made mascot at both universities,” he said. “But I liked Sam Houston a lot more. They have a more notable program and I got along with the people more.”<br /><br />According to Leftwich, a lot is demanded of Sammy, both physically and mentally, with requirements most people don’t think of when they see him on the field.<br /><br />“Whatever the temperature is outside, it is 40 degrees hotter inside the costume,” Leftwich said. “I require my team members to get a drink of water every 15 minutes.<br /><br />“You have to be very energetic to do what the team does,” he said. “You have to be creative, always thinking about what your next move might be — you have to always be on your toes.”<br /><br />Sammy has a personality all his own, from the way he walks to how he expresses emotion, Leftwich said.<br /><br />“Sammy’s character is stern, and flirtatious with the ladies,” he said. “He likes shining bald men’s heads.<br /><br />“To be a good Sammy, you have to be outgoing and friendly and you have got to have 100 percent confidence,” he said. “Of course, you also need a good sense of humor.”<br /><br />The few that know of Leftwich’s dual personalities are sometimes surprised that he is Sammy — but for him that is exactly what being a mascot is about.<br /><br />“As a mascot, you are portraying another character, not yourself,” he said. “That is what makes it so fun.”<br /><br />Leftwich will be graduating from SHSU this May with a degree in criminal justice.<br /><br />He hopes to pursue being a mascot after graduation, and is planning to try out for the role as mascot of the National Football League’s St. Louis Rams.<br /><br />“If that doesn’t work out, I will continue to look out for other mascot jobs while pursuing a job as a paralegal, or maybe go on to law school,” Leftwich said.</p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-23939315576718280322010-03-22T19:09:00.000-07:002010-03-22T19:12:09.009-07:00Sammy Bearkat on the cover of Sports Illustrated!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwsAU-lX9ggXmcpWmXa8ondxe9eLw3-ascGQ7fVcPN0CStYOZ_rwPyylcHysWtCn1DKLs7c4FfiTZx_qyLTTtMNA48a6FQyAGN5gmCwGj7NqXIrqPgYmeNJCyidB6yKnuIxt584gUm0XC/s1600-h/2010+NCAA+SI+cover2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 302px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451646171260746002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwsAU-lX9ggXmcpWmXa8ondxe9eLw3-ascGQ7fVcPN0CStYOZ_rwPyylcHysWtCn1DKLs7c4FfiTZx_qyLTTtMNA48a6FQyAGN5gmCwGj7NqXIrqPgYmeNJCyidB6yKnuIxt584gUm0XC/s400/2010+NCAA+SI+cover2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Look at the very left towards the bottom. Yea Sammy is beyond famous now.Formersammy09http://www.blogger.com/profile/08131643731474059269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-89662097776292669192010-03-18T13:06:00.000-07:002010-03-18T13:15:13.330-07:00Sammy at March MadnessSammy spotted coming out of the break at halftime of the Sam Houston vs. Baylor game (with Sam leading 31-30):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts5_tmMOTv19c9XLeEd7ro2mD6h5rWJ9FC7yXcN6PhVbF4NzeokVs-oxb4prAZTsGG_GGDq_wa6vwrCxnyR6H6_x4kDVYPsc94y-S0JLv2yJBJmakKdYy69CeVVCCxCg9mMkbKzL_kJ8/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.06+PM+(2).png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts5_tmMOTv19c9XLeEd7ro2mD6h5rWJ9FC7yXcN6PhVbF4NzeokVs-oxb4prAZTsGG_GGDq_wa6vwrCxnyR6H6_x4kDVYPsc94y-S0JLv2yJBJmakKdYy69CeVVCCxCg9mMkbKzL_kJ8/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.06+PM+(2).png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069736321911458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVqZwqVfSFmUlyNfCATtWLWBPtTdPuodeMd4uNdbJW-D1SkeSatDf52dcSQobDOELYZjLCOzfXFynub0q7WDG1_YmeHhbhPQqvoAdEyW3jeeUD0nYoUVhZupPXTq9146eBt0640i4a50/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.07+PM+(2).png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVqZwqVfSFmUlyNfCATtWLWBPtTdPuodeMd4uNdbJW-D1SkeSatDf52dcSQobDOELYZjLCOzfXFynub0q7WDG1_YmeHhbhPQqvoAdEyW3jeeUD0nYoUVhZupPXTq9146eBt0640i4a50/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.07+PM+(2).png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069726684862386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTvEuUw3wI5YavZgsB33MI1VSA_yKGrQ0ORyZh9BpMC84rTyfPd5pcaj9OsSj9j_LHrDilboDeuHsBREedjN0FcnErDCHY1e0v1nLZZr4MUGVJdjpOZ9bnBvf9-rUF2oWB-16RT02swo/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.08+PM+(2).png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTvEuUw3wI5YavZgsB33MI1VSA_yKGrQ0ORyZh9BpMC84rTyfPd5pcaj9OsSj9j_LHrDilboDeuHsBREedjN0FcnErDCHY1e0v1nLZZr4MUGVJdjpOZ9bnBvf9-rUF2oWB-16RT02swo/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.08+PM+(2).png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069608969309522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK3w-EZoQjCv_90ofRu_dTNYKW5AqwbjQSLq35PDWQNwcp3EZn8Pi94u5JAzW88tB3CSTJFjoiz9X-jit9MIsr-maHOKHZgmggpwAYYb2lNziIYH3Es9ciXX3NLWlYoXu2eBHtMJFyZc/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.09+PM+1(2).png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK3w-EZoQjCv_90ofRu_dTNYKW5AqwbjQSLq35PDWQNwcp3EZn8Pi94u5JAzW88tB3CSTJFjoiz9X-jit9MIsr-maHOKHZgmggpwAYYb2lNziIYH3Es9ciXX3NLWlYoXu2eBHtMJFyZc/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.09+PM+1(2).png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069603054254754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBEVz2ZHXgWCWPB72EUvHZ5nz_5T_M9pItcz8mOCSd1FYAWsU_dfDXv1X5ZhK1yHYsCvsiZhz0vaEqknRu16Ecqx0A4PGiv6RoIltnVWnjMU22h336DBV7piycO7JnsyRhKJY4YNPl54/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.10+PM+(2).png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBEVz2ZHXgWCWPB72EUvHZ5nz_5T_M9pItcz8mOCSd1FYAWsU_dfDXv1X5ZhK1yHYsCvsiZhz0vaEqknRu16Ecqx0A4PGiv6RoIltnVWnjMU22h336DBV7piycO7JnsyRhKJY4YNPl54/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.10+PM+(2).png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069596817304162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy41QUeHMykX4eh3aLcSsRgWbSoLx7Ykr-G0qzT4QG7z-JzrYZzhAbyRFAVUzSVTMAV4nA_ZXK2xpfpGhbrbCYOYfaGXwAwG3OG1jVa5hBsce0UdoyHqiisJJcIf-oL-tumqCbexlKqk/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.10+PM+1(2).png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy41QUeHMykX4eh3aLcSsRgWbSoLx7Ykr-G0qzT4QG7z-JzrYZzhAbyRFAVUzSVTMAV4nA_ZXK2xpfpGhbrbCYOYfaGXwAwG3OG1jVa5hBsce0UdoyHqiisJJcIf-oL-tumqCbexlKqk/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.10+PM+1(2).png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069589470233746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiElWKiOgpKXoQzE_K9zYQkNQFfitOQFYnIv8tqGYyjjAE_KAQfCWS0ez16iYKEZ_uw51e7tRyJNsP1lWN9dDFhn8hBWPLI_Zg5DnAadHo5uqPbnP6Dqn-2P4b_BzySQN8NgKbM90PwyM/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.12+PM+(2).png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiElWKiOgpKXoQzE_K9zYQkNQFfitOQFYnIv8tqGYyjjAE_KAQfCWS0ez16iYKEZ_uw51e7tRyJNsP1lWN9dDFhn8hBWPLI_Zg5DnAadHo5uqPbnP6Dqn-2P4b_BzySQN8NgKbM90PwyM/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+3.04.12+PM+(2).png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069585309544914" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-20552950676144541082010-03-18T08:56:00.000-07:002010-03-18T09:01:32.731-07:00The Making of Fiesta SammyEver wonder what goes into the making of a Sammy Bearkat illustration? <br /><br />No? <br /><br />Oh.<br /><br />Well, I'll tell you anyway. Actually, I'll show you. Unlike the <a href="http://destructoville.blogspot.com/2009/11/making-of-sammy.html">last time</a>, I remembered to capture the whole process. Actually, what you don't see is the stuff that isn't done on the computer: the sketching, drawing and inking process. But this part is pretty interesting, too, I guess.<br /><br />This is an illustration for the upcoming Bearkat Family Weekend 2010 with a "fiesta" theme. The client wanted a postcard look with a "fiesta Sammy" playing the guitar in a an "Old El Paso" kinda environment.<br /><br />First, the finished product:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhSXO6ye-g6bfTaVtotTZtJGQmf4uXdiJ1UmDZjZmkc1gqCzvwzeh_OKFDVZmlegI3k06oYcipUihRSuOF1xQmeOlHnnFmjW0uaTx6CtA7fUiTN2KSnVuzfSAh-3F1MgO_-2-G4uzPCqI/s1600-h/BearkatFamilyWeekendPostcardProof.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhSXO6ye-g6bfTaVtotTZtJGQmf4uXdiJ1UmDZjZmkc1gqCzvwzeh_OKFDVZmlegI3k06oYcipUihRSuOF1xQmeOlHnnFmjW0uaTx6CtA7fUiTN2KSnVuzfSAh-3F1MgO_-2-G4uzPCqI/s400/BearkatFamilyWeekendPostcardProof.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450000103845722610" /></a><br /><br />And now, the video, sped up 21x, showing how a Sammy illustration is taken from scanning from proof. I hope you enjoy. And please forgive the little popup at the beginning. YouTube thinks it's okay to put a tag on my video that I can't seem to find a way to remove. The video is also available in HD on YouTube.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H8o7YUJ1YvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H8o7YUJ1YvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-42002325466454743542010-03-05T09:25:00.000-08:002010-03-05T09:28:09.807-08:001960's Sammy Bearkat Piggy Bank<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K4BkgssHt-iuBFsBYJXJ8rEXHz4hazIGLTJtaNFp_APC6XfBecdsevMiNbInMdmCatp4pFMRtNQfeZ3HzvlOTE-EgZbva7LQ1GFIlsWyWlILFXSf6fELwQsxQFzO_80g22VT1GedFBGu/s1600-h/Sammy+bearkat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445202677088462562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K4BkgssHt-iuBFsBYJXJ8rEXHz4hazIGLTJtaNFp_APC6XfBecdsevMiNbInMdmCatp4pFMRtNQfeZ3HzvlOTE-EgZbva7LQ1GFIlsWyWlILFXSf6fELwQsxQFzO_80g22VT1GedFBGu/s320/Sammy+bearkat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Look what I found on E-bay. He had it up for 50 bucks, but I got him down to 25.</div>Formersammy09http://www.blogger.com/profile/08131643731474059269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-22263579912961037242010-01-25T06:10:00.000-08:002010-01-25T06:11:24.916-08:00Video: Sammy popping out of the cake at Homecoming<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YtokKIhnnTw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YtokKIhnnTw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-51367092487750357082009-12-14T01:52:00.000-08:002009-12-14T01:57:25.007-08:00Happy Birthday, Sammy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AuQnaPK6rf44wSJQZVLgrQUlq5RzPIg9cvRU9IVODF9sKL80zZukgNAns4jw3eVtnEKUoKS_fN7XE-T75B_n62-mcQfWbBIKBynJ4feyW7bvM9BZ7YOpCPjwhJkC3KQ23ykXnQrHN2s/s1600-h/Evolution-of-SamProof.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AuQnaPK6rf44wSJQZVLgrQUlq5RzPIg9cvRU9IVODF9sKL80zZukgNAns4jw3eVtnEKUoKS_fN7XE-T75B_n62-mcQfWbBIKBynJ4feyW7bvM9BZ7YOpCPjwhJkC3KQ23ykXnQrHN2s/s400/Evolution-of-SamProof.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415028639608143426" /></a><br />Today, December 14th, is Sammy's actual 50th birthday! Happy birthday, big Kat!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-70515193466333520142009-12-02T09:09:00.000-08:002009-12-02T09:20:35.363-08:00Former Sammy PatG Named Best Mascot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gameops.com/images_3.0/bestofawards/bestof2009/best_mascot2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 480px; height: 120px;" src="http://www.gameops.com/images_3.0/bestofawards/bestof2009/best_mascot2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This just in...<br /><br />Former Sammy Bearkat PatG has just been named <a href="http://www.gameops.com/2009/2009/p=2">Best Mascot for 2009 by GameOps</a>, a sports entertainment trade organization, for his portrayal of Thunder at the Lake Elisnore Storm. <br /><br />This is the same PatG that was <a href="http://katpack.blogspot.com/2009/09/found-newpaper-article-featuring-patg.html">viciously mauled and suffered broken bones</a> at the hands of a rabid gorilla earlier this season.<br /><br />Congratulations, Pat!!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/siIIGUC1-oY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/siIIGUC1-oY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-90935021625284473272009-11-18T14:03:00.000-08:002009-11-18T14:06:51.141-08:00Sammys with Sammys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M3Tnv54AZf68AToBkfAsC3Q7c2krNAp3zmkOp-q6z2t_10HieKCVBI-Rw8BMli_js1MLKbH1dJrvLgwfFjdliSbUPnAGm-3WLvxjlzXgwdgfDGUdSd7PL5yQYEJQnuBWBCHWrf8NFWg/s1600/Tailgate14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M3Tnv54AZf68AToBkfAsC3Q7c2krNAp3zmkOp-q6z2t_10HieKCVBI-Rw8BMli_js1MLKbH1dJrvLgwfFjdliSbUPnAGm-3WLvxjlzXgwdgfDGUdSd7PL5yQYEJQnuBWBCHWrf8NFWg/s400/Tailgate14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405568149727246242" /></a><br /><br />Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.shsu.edu/~pin_bbb/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Homecoming_09.html#33">Brian Blalock.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-67129418759901769882009-11-12T04:11:00.001-08:002009-11-12T04:11:57.539-08:00Video of the Week: Sammy's 1996 UCA Competition Tape<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kpl1s07IG0k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kpl1s07IG0k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />James Pharaon in the suit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-49890251790134568262009-11-06T02:35:00.000-08:002009-11-06T02:37:20.664-08:00Video of the Week: Sammy's 1999 UCA Nationals Skit<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fr3tY5ydtWM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fr3tY5ydtWM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />That's Mark Barry in one of the funniest skits I've ever seen. It would have placed him higher than 6th, but the judges felt that it wasn't "family friendly" enough.<br /><br />Stupid judges.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-72002805445000948172009-10-29T03:46:00.000-07:002009-10-29T03:48:47.297-07:00Video of the Week: Sammy's 1995 UCA Competition Tape<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sol_vzaobIo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sol_vzaobIo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />That's James Pharaon in the suit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-85481177963509838592009-10-26T05:30:00.000-07:002009-10-29T03:35:19.454-07:00Question of the WeekDid you ever "break character" when you were Sammy?<div><br /></div><div>Fill out this form in triplicate...</div>Sammy Bearkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637248166588135854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-2141272684281901362009-10-19T07:12:00.000-07:002009-10-19T07:13:27.185-07:00Video of The Week: Sammy Bearkat's 1997 New Suit Introduction Skit<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/poA7eMLMHvw&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/poA7eMLMHvw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-55759079857193061442009-10-19T05:30:00.000-07:002009-10-19T07:20:37.123-07:00Question of the WeekWhat was the craziest thing you ever did when you were Sammy?<div><br /></div><div>Show your work for full credit...</div>Sammy Bearkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637248166588135854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-61079896185146646352009-10-13T20:35:00.000-07:002009-10-13T20:36:52.885-07:00Question of the WeekDid you ever fear for your life when you were Sammy?<div><br /></div><div>Discuss...</div>Sammy Bearkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637248166588135854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-21069615182925103922009-10-12T07:53:00.000-07:002009-10-12T08:07:24.112-07:00Homecoming Photo Set Posted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYlqaPdvQ2gsfoqc6oJzRCxr8_kn03eZ043C6QC7ZCDEustptPapgS55QxteitWgp5830JdAoFXdnF_XwswAmoJcEzxxit9GjMm3n7bLbJoXCW6kwteSj4HQ7ksLegA0tKA1IjlRhqV8/s1600-h/4004011557_04db494c8d_d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYlqaPdvQ2gsfoqc6oJzRCxr8_kn03eZ043C6QC7ZCDEustptPapgS55QxteitWgp5830JdAoFXdnF_XwswAmoJcEzxxit9GjMm3n7bLbJoXCW6kwteSj4HQ7ksLegA0tKA1IjlRhqV8/s400/4004011557_04db494c8d_d.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391728623579468082" /></a><br /><br />I've posted all the photos from my camera onto my flickr account. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29171162@N03/sets/72157622569258928/">You can view theme here.</a> Just click on an image to make it larger. Then click on the "All Sizes" link above the photo and select the size you'd like. The just click on the "download" link.<br /><br />Thanks to Rick Stauffer for taking the photos while we were all down on the field.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-70506665924762923642009-10-12T04:24:00.001-07:002009-10-12T04:25:57.535-07:00Video of the Week: Sammy's 1990 UCA Competition TapeThanks to Ryan Rose for sending this:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mtF3CDDaRaQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mtF3CDDaRaQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-65218407726670477202009-10-12T03:51:00.000-07:002009-10-12T04:01:22.077-07:00Sammy Reception Photo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dGpM3iV1yIdVGI4VbkPD-tyFi7FxdDNuTX7cMYbdexSmfcDWkUGXJ1rGFbUgSKN4Vkqq9WGXbQVWunih309BfguGOpDR_dtqzqbd5XfUtXaiCEyfs6JFOhF-ppwYGEvP_Ta9OLnsU6Y/s1600-h/_MG_7293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dGpM3iV1yIdVGI4VbkPD-tyFi7FxdDNuTX7cMYbdexSmfcDWkUGXJ1rGFbUgSKN4Vkqq9WGXbQVWunih309BfguGOpDR_dtqzqbd5XfUtXaiCEyfs6JFOhF-ppwYGEvP_Ta9OLnsU6Y/s400/_MG_7293.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391665765156386770" /></a><br /><br />There were six former Sammys at the reception on Friday. The Huntsville Item took the photo that they used before Sherilan and Lana got there.<br /><br />(R to L) That's Sherilan ('83-'84), Mark ('98-'99), Pat ('00-'06), Trent ('04-'08), Lana ('87-'88) and James '95-'98).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-75878256764880785672009-10-11T16:06:00.000-07:002009-10-11T16:08:21.952-07:00News: Homecoming ParadeFrom the <a href="http://www.itemonline.com/archivesearch/images_sizedimage_281225152/resources_photoview">Huntsville Item:</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdhhgQPathorF_pnFWBW7naDyyl_uJmEUewIxcejk0aA02suLYMcXz5clLTmrZf8n_1Fp6HJJKGG2jnur8TPw8Ls-ZqOW14VFqlAuC2l4eytvDoe6Pm34xBY-2T4oydOtSe9U_1HPSQU/s1600-h/2009HomecomingParadexl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdhhgQPathorF_pnFWBW7naDyyl_uJmEUewIxcejk0aA02suLYMcXz5clLTmrZf8n_1Fp6HJJKGG2jnur8TPw8Ls-ZqOW14VFqlAuC2l4eytvDoe6Pm34xBY-2T4oydOtSe9U_1HPSQU/s400/2009HomecomingParadexl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391482980789158626" /></a><br /><br />Walker County residents lined Sam Houston Avenue Thursday night for the annual Sam Houston State University Homecoming Parade. Fraternities and organizations across campus celebrated the 50th birthday of Sammy the Bearkat with floats that included giant birthday cakes, balloons and noisemakers.The Department of Student Activities will give away free food and prizes to those in school colors today at 10 a.m. in the LSC Mall Area. Other various activities include the “Golden Circle Reunion” in the LSC Ballroom at 11 a.m. and the “50 Years of Sammy” Reception in the LSC Atrium at 1 p.m. The “Distinguished Alumni Gala” will be held in the LSC Ballroom, with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., hosted by the office of Alumni Relations. The Bearkats will host the Nicholls State Colonels at Bowers Stadium at 2 p.m. Saturday. <br />Matthew Jackson /Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-62530201057999031302009-10-11T15:56:00.000-07:002009-10-11T16:03:21.975-07:00News: Happy Birthday, SammyFrom the <a href="http://www.itemonline.com/local/local_story_282232136.html">Huntsville Item</a>:<br /><br />Happy Birthday, Sammy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs6pospvTgY9wZanvaxnx1_Qr5g_oRQlKN3SQsJBVxY0THLSKZYP0rWefrcDTlimq8KRWJOzl57jAN_6svJizFvMI5se0iCM7LRec84GfRzaSaYRcvWzywo-kzLOFSJpM0HjvPK-mKQQ/s1600-h/FormerSamysReceptionxl.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs6pospvTgY9wZanvaxnx1_Qr5g_oRQlKN3SQsJBVxY0THLSKZYP0rWefrcDTlimq8KRWJOzl57jAN_6svJizFvMI5se0iCM7LRec84GfRzaSaYRcvWzywo-kzLOFSJpM0HjvPK-mKQQ/s320/FormerSamysReceptionxl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391481501904146210" /></a>The Lowman Student Center Atrium at Sam Houston State University was bustling with excitement on Friday for the Sammy Reception. <br /><br />Poster-size photos of Sammy the Bearkat lined the atrium, guiding viewers through a historic walk of the famous SHSU mascot, celebrating 50 years this year. In the photographs, those attending could see and celebrate how Sammy has changed throughout the years. <br /><br />Students stopped by in between classes alumni smiled as they looked at the familiar photos. The real treat of the reception was the presence of current and former individuals who have played the role of Sammy.<br /><br />“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” James Pharaon said. <br /><br />Pharaon embodied Sammy from 1995 through 1998. Beginning as a cheerleader at SHSU, he found his way into a try-out for Sammy, completely transforming his college experience as he won the position. <br /><br />“I was the one in the dog suit for a year and a half,” he said. “During a football game, it started raining and the suit practically disintegrated while I was wearing it as it was made of a paper mache material. It was then we knew it was time for a change.”<br /><br />From this experience, Pharaon went on to create the look Bearkats know today. <br /><br />“The process began in 1996. We went through hundreds of ideas and took it to the head of the school,” he said. “I personally wanted Sammy to have an aggressive look, but we ended with a friendly version. It took several months and then we unveiled the new design on Jan. 30, 1997.”<br /><br />Pharaon went on to become a graphic designer and production coordinator for Germania Insurance in Brenham.<br /><br />Mark Barry and Pharaon worked together as graphic designers in student activities, encouraging each other to become more creative and at times, mischievous. Barry stepped into the Sammy suit in 1998 and stayed in the position until 1999. <br /><br />“It was a blast. It was like I had a VIP pass to get away with anything,” Barry said. <br /><br />“I’ll never forget the time I went to the National Mascot Championship at Disney Land. I ended up in fifth or sixth place, but the judges told me I could have had first if my performance had just been a little more family-friendly,” Barry remembered.<br /><br />Coming from California to attend the reception, Patrick Gardenier played the part of Sammy from September of 2000 until April of 2006. <br /><br />“It was a life-changing experience,” Gardenier said. “I came for school, but stuck around to be involved on campus. When I tried out to be Sammy, my mom didn’t think I could do it without my grades suffering. <br /><br />“However, becoming involved with the student activities and going to hundreds of events each year, really helped me learn how to prioritize and multi-task. My grades got much better and I made the dean’s list seven or eight times.”<br /><br />Trent Coots also played the role of Sammy and became good friends with Gardenier. After viewing an ad in the school paper, he tried out to be Sammy. Coots advised current and future mascots to keep up the tradition. <br /><br />“There’s great history behind the character of Sammy and the school, yet there’s always new ways to present it,” he said. “Be creative and have lots of fun.” <br /><br />Coots and Gardenier spoke with enthusiasm of their road trips to competitions, seeing snow for the first time and learning to embody a school spirit. <br /><br />“Most people don’t realize that to be a good mascot, it takes two to three years to connect with the character,” Coots said.<br /><br />For those attending the reception, it was clear, these men are more than simply mascots, they are good friends who will never forget their experience at SHSU. <br /><br />“My time at SHSU as Sammy shaped my life,” Coots said. “From there I went on to become the mascot for the Houston Comets. I learned so much from the experience.” <br /><br />Gardenier works with a minor league baseball team in California and described his time at SHSU as very influential in the course of his career. <br /><br />“I’ll always be using the skills I learned while I was Sammy,” Gardenier said. <br /><br />“When I was Sammy, I learned how view events with a creative mindset,” Pharaon said. “Now, in whatever I’m doing, I try to present it in a new way. The experience opened up so many doors for me. I’ll never forget introducing the new suit or proposing to my wife during a halftime performance. “ <br /><br />All of the former Sammy mascots wish the very best to SHSU and desire to encourage others to get involved with the university or community as it is never known what doors may be opened as the result or what skills may be gained by simply putting forth an effort.<br /><br />Photo caption: <span style="font-style:italic;">Former Bearkat mascots, from left, Patrick Gardenier, Mark Barry, James Pharaon and Brent Coots pose with Sammy the Bearkat during Friday’s Sammy Reception. Sammy celebrates his 50th birthday this year. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2283128660916592546.post-6283320412640973182009-10-09T09:09:00.000-07:002009-10-09T09:10:11.549-07:00Alumni Center Sammy Exhibit<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw2l6J-JOACxY-l12pF1BQM-zPtoWYQhGYqMhauCK6M23fWXZoG5NrGUoGA90HQJAZHXOBViS9iAwAsuwxherMQYW0z7XZGQb3B3qHFDXO_VNXdnEhW1_1kKowyu3RKJxouDF-X1FaFY/s1600-h/IMG_2315-711550.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw2l6J-JOACxY-l12pF1BQM-zPtoWYQhGYqMhauCK6M23fWXZoG5NrGUoGA90HQJAZHXOBViS9iAwAsuwxherMQYW0z7XZGQb3B3qHFDXO_VNXdnEhW1_1kKowyu3RKJxouDF-X1FaFY/s320/IMG_2315-711550.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390633261391440466" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtJsuoYPCmZCvML4-aJQ1COFvs0jyPrCStRKEfphSbA0R7DReTmu2P253wJuLs-VJsC4VW8UIjTlpvQuevXvNLTDdCSQHTwYDNL6SaqZmnQW5ht5NvTMwICYLQ6C1tREVo8JfaJHJ4c8/s1600-h/IMG_2316-713458.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtJsuoYPCmZCvML4-aJQ1COFvs0jyPrCStRKEfphSbA0R7DReTmu2P253wJuLs-VJsC4VW8UIjTlpvQuevXvNLTDdCSQHTwYDNL6SaqZmnQW5ht5NvTMwICYLQ6C1tREVo8JfaJHJ4c8/s320/IMG_2316-713458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390633267086052242" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBTztaLExOpGKPmCse04p-6rSnnyCkFt_lTNjp6WwCkQpRWKhyphenhyphen1kG7nwYIkmXDfO9PiEBZNxrGVLt9nEqJkhmpAEPwla6K3xONcBxXlHUeLepW4Wl7en6XI8Np_A6QqZjSIaQRxaxy5A/s1600-h/IMG_2317-715717.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBTztaLExOpGKPmCse04p-6rSnnyCkFt_lTNjp6WwCkQpRWKhyphenhyphen1kG7nwYIkmXDfO9PiEBZNxrGVLt9nEqJkhmpAEPwla6K3xONcBxXlHUeLepW4Wl7en6XI8Np_A6QqZjSIaQRxaxy5A/s320/IMG_2317-715717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390633278533462578" /></a></p>If you come to campus, be sure to stop by the alumni center and check <br>out the Sammy photo exhibit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0