Thunder to Roll onto WT’s First United Field for All 2024 Home Football Games

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — The West Texas A&M University Football team will once again be ushered onto First United Field by the University’s live mascot, Thunder.

Thunder XIV, believed to be one of only two live buffalo university mascots in the country, again will make on-field appearances at all five of WT’s home football games at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium, beginning with the home-season opener against Western Colorado University at 7 p.m. Sept. 14.

The buffalo, who is officially sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau, will run onto the gridiron accompanied by his handlers, the Herdsmen.

This year’s Herdsmen squad is comprised of 12 men and women: Boone Begert, a sophomore agriculture major from Allison; Samuel Blanton, a junior agriculture major from Weatherford; Emerson Dean, a sophomore animal science major from Decatur; Mia Encinias, a senior animal science major from Edgewood, New Mexico; George Graybill, a senior animal science major from Keenesburg, Colorado; Will Hauerland, a sophomore agricultural business and economics major from Sealy; Hayden Holwick, a senior animal science / pre-vet major from Wheeler; Kaden Husband, a junior animal science / pre-vet major from Childress; Jett Mizer, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Amarillo; Emily Montgomery, a sophomore agriculture from Lubbock; Jozie Petit, a sophomore agriculture media and communication major from Seymour; and Jaden Vititow, a junior animal science / pre-vet major from Sulphur Springs.

They are led by Dr. Kelly Jones, clinical assistant professor of agriculture, and Dalton Keener, a graduate student in animal science from Fredericksburg, who serves as graduate assistant for the program.

The Herdsmen date back to 1977, tasked with the safety, care and management of Thunder XIV, as well as his pen, dubbed the “Thunder Lodge.” They also serve as ambassadors for WT’s Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences and the University at large.

Thunder XIV will continue his duties while the Herdsmen continue to train Thunder XV, dubbed “Doc,” who arrived on campus in the spring.

WT’s first live mascots were purchased in 1922 from Col. Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight; the buffalo “Charlie” was mounted for posterity and donated to Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. The live mascot program was revived in the 1970s.

Bolstering regional pride and campus spirit is in line with the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: The 2024-2025 Herdsmen are, with adviser Dr. Kelly Jones, left, Jaden Vititow, Emily Montgomery, Will Hauerland, Emerson Dean, Boone Begert, George Graybill, Hayden Holwick, Sam Blanton, Jett Mizer, Jozie Petit, Kaden Husband and Mia Encinias, with graduate assistant Dalton Keener, right.

—WT—