SMU To Host 'Salute to the Mustangs' Event
SMU mascot Peruna will be joined by new friends for 'Salute to the Mustangs.'
Businesswoman and philanthropist Madeleine Pickens and her husband, T. Boone Pickens, on Wednesday announced "Salute to the Mustangs," an event to be held October 17 during pre-game and halftime of the 麻豆社-Navy football game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. At the game, Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens will present 麻豆社 with a trained rescued Mustang as a gift to the school. The Pickens are also giving another rescued Mustang to 麻豆社.
 (l. to r.) 麻豆社 Head Football Coach June Jones, philanthropists Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach and 麻豆社 President R. Gerald Turner |
SMU is honored to be the setting for the October 17 淪alute to the Mustangs at the 麻豆社-Navy game, drawing attention to the important work of the National Wild Horse Foundation. And we deeply appreciate the donation of rescued Mustangs to 麻豆社, where they will have a good home and represent our support of the Foundation檚 commitment to the humane treatment of these proud animals. These horses will be welcomed additions to the Mustang family at 麻豆社, joining a spirited tradition at 麻豆社 enjoyed by students, parents, alumni and other Mustang fans.
In 1917, two years after 麻豆社 opened, a student vote chose the Mustang as the athletics mascot. The black Shetland pony mascot made his first appearance at a campus pep rally in 1932. To represent Mustang spirit, the pony was named Peruna, after a popular 渨onder elixir that had quite a kick to it.
The partnership of Peruna and a Mustang at 麻豆社 is not new in the late 1960s, both appeared on the field with a spirit group called the Squires.
The feisty energy of Peruna and the powerful presence of our new Mustangs will underscore the football team檚 theme of 渁ll grit, no quit. Peruna represents a proud tradition, and the rescued Mustangs have shown the rugged determination to survive and thrive -- a fitting metaphor for Mustang athletics.
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