WTAMU Herdsmen History

The Dean of Men, George Shackleford, Chris Black, and Weldon Trice searched for a buffalo, which took them throughout the Panhandle of Texas. It proved rewarding, after speaking with Mr. R.J. Lee, owner of The Big Texan Steak Ranch; Mr. Lee agreed to donate yearling buffalo to WTSU, while also feeding and taking care of it.

It was evident that more men would be needed to handle the 750 pound buffalo during home football games. Energetic and enthusiastic, Kevin Arnold, Rick “Corny” Cornelison, Ernie Lucero, Brian Wheeler, Kevin O’Hair, Steve Knox, and William Keaton were contacted and thus became the founding fathers of the Herdsmen. While sitting around a table in the cafeteria, officers were chosen: Chris Black (president); George Shackleford (vice president); Kevin Arnold (secretary/treasurer); Rick Cornelison (historian). During the discussion of officers, Rick Cornelison suggested the group expand to form a spirit organization, called The Herdsmen in which the group participates in the stands voicing Buffalo support. The group unanimously supported the name. The cafeteria get-together was the first meeting of The Herdsmen; the minutes were documented on a paper napkin (now lost, but not forgotten).

Mr. Breezy Cox, an employee of The Big Texan, was the ranch’s buffalo keeper. He taught the new Herdsmen handlers how to handle the buffalo. The new mascot’s name was Lollipop, but the handlers thought a difference name was needed to inspire the WT spirit. After a contest was held on campus, Kathy Garrison and Paul Bublis tied with the winning name, “Thunder.”

Kevin Arnold, foreman of the buffalo handlers, diligently trained Thunder for his first grand, public appearance. On October 15, 1977, Thunder marched through Canyon in the WTSU Homecoming Parade. Her first football game appearance was later that night, which spurred the revival of the “Buff” spirit.

The fifty Herdsmen added to this spirit by blowing their horns and participating in the cheers for the team in the football stands. The Herdsmen displayed the WT spirit proudly, showing there is no other group quite like theirs on campus.

The Herdsmen traded Lollipop with Herdsmen alumni, Kevin Arnold for another buffalo, Bufford, Thunder II.

During this period of time, the Herdsmen promoted not only the spirit of Thunder, but the spirit of WTSU, which was well represented at events throughout the panhandle in places like Hereford, Dumas and Pampa. Events included XIT, Canyon’s Buffalo Roundup, parades, and reunions. From 1979-1981, the Herdsmen and Thunder II were seen by 200,000 to 300,000 people during their travels.

The Herdsmen became involved in the WTSU blood drive, All-University Sing, Pigskin Review, Student Foundation Phonathon, promotion of the Spring Games, Yell Call, Pep rallies, Elections, and much more. Since 1977, the Herdsmen have become one of the most powerful and most respected organizations on campus.

As part of the Herdsmen’s involvement in the university, the Buffalo Chip Award is awarded each semester. The inscription on the award reads: For Outstanding Leadership, Loyalty and Devotion to WTSU. See below the past award winners throughout the years.

At two o’ clock on January 22, 1982, another page turned in the chapter of the Herdsmen, as WTSU became proud owners of Thunder III. The Herdsmen made a trade with Kevin Arnold for a nine month old buffalo, named after one of our finest presidents and biggest promoters of WTSU, Max Sherman. Mark Pruitt, the foreman of the buffalo handlers, prepared Thunder III for the 1982 football season.

In June of 1983, a new era was issued into Herdsmen history, after another exchange with Kevin Arnold, the Herdsmen became the proud owners of Thunder IV, also known as Bufford, Jr. (B.J.), the son of Lollipop and Bufford, two of our previous buffaloes.

In June of 1983, a new era was issued into Herdsmen history, after another exchange with Kevin Arnold, the Herdsmen became the proud owners of Thunder IV, also known as Bufford, Jr. (B.J.), the son of Lollipop and Bufford, two of our previous buffaloes.

On January 23, 1996 the Herdsmen entered into a contract with Donald Harrelson who owns a ranch outside of Muleshoe, Texas. In this arrangement, Thunder VI was acquired in exchange for Ladee, in which nine years later, retired to pasture. A sixth era began when Monty Scheuler, Nathan Dawes, and Andrew White picked up the six month old calf, bringing her home to WT. During the Lady Buff basketball team's Fill- the-Box night of 1996, the new mascot's nickname of Sadee was announced to the student body.

Spring 1998

• In July 1998, a meeting was held to discuss the behavior of Sadee. Members present were Andrew White, Shawn Dawes, Jim Bob Sides, James Huddleston, Timothy Huddleston, Zach Bass, Nathan Dawes, and Jason Adams. Donald Harrelson had a six month old calf, and it was his wish to trade it for Sadee, in the hopes that he could breed her. Sadee’s behavior was disruptive, so the Herdsmen trained the calf, not returning Sadee, agreeing to keep her until the Fall 1998 season. After the semester began, Sadee's behavior calmed; the calf was returned to Donald, as Sadee was to remain as WTAMU's mascot.

Fall 2004

• During the Fall '04 football season, Sadee was ready to leave, and the search for a new mascot began.

In January 2005, the Texas State Parks and Wildlife division at Caprock Canyons State Park gave a yearling calf from the Charles Goodnight herd to the Herdsmen. This yearling became Thunder VII. As the very first live mascot came from Goodnight Ranch in 1922 and was name Charlie, the chosen nickname was Thunder VII Charlie Junior or C.J. and was named Charlie, we decided to nickname Thunder VII Charlie Junior or CJ. CJ's stay was short because he ingested a small piece of wire and died in May '05.

In June 2005, Herdsmen Advisor, Shawn Burns and Assistant, Foreman Brad Yeary traveled to Zephyr, Texas picking up two calves from the ranch of Dr. Jack Longbotham and his wife, Elisabeth. The half-siblings were named after the Longbothams, so Jack and his sister, Liz became Thunder IX and VIII respectively. Jack made his debut at the 2005 Homecoming Parade to thunderous applause from fans and the community. Liz later made her debut in the Spring at the Bob Wills Day Parade in Turkey, Texas. Liz was retired in 2007 so the Herdsmen could focus on Thunder IX.

In the Summer of 2008, the Herdsmen would began searching for Thunder X as Thunder IX became too large and difficult to handle. Through a coincidence, the Herdsmen learned of an orphaned buffalo calf in Walcottville, Indiana, raised by Peter Cook of Cook’s Bison Ranch. Advisor, Shawn Burns and Foreman, Chuck Waltrip called Cook to inquire about the calf; he told the Herdsmen the calf had been orphaned 36 hours after birth and had been bottle-feeding it ever since. Peter told the Herdsmen it was three and half months old, was halter broke and would lead. Cook was hesitant to sell the calf outright but was interested in trading for Thunder IX. In August of 2008, Advisor Shawn Burns, President Randall Box, Foreman Chuck Waltrip, and Assistant Foreman Preston Montgomery all traveled to Walcottville, Indiana to pick up Thunder X, named Bentley by the Cooks. After visiting the Cook Bison Ranch, meeting Thunder X, all began the 20-hour journey home to Canyon. Thunder X officially took over his mascot duties at the last home game of the 2008 season.