Live WT Mascot Thunder and Herdsmen Ready for First Home Football Game

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

CANYON, Texas —Thunder is once again rolling over the plains.

Thunder XV, believed to be one of only two live buffalo university mascots in the country, again will make on-field appearances at all six of WT’s home football games at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium, beginning with the home-season opener against Colorado School of Mines at 7 p.m. Sept. 4.

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: Jenna Arens, a sophomore equine industry and business major from Shawano, Wisconsin; Calvin Autrey, an agricultural business and economics major from Willard, New Mexico; Boone Begert, a junior agriculture major from Allison; Sam Blanton, a senior agriculture major from Weatherford; Emerson Dean, a senior animal science major from Decatur; Jacque Ghormley, a junior animal science major from Rockwall; Will Hauerland, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Sealy; Cayden Hodnett, a sophomore agriculture education major from Lubbock; Emily Montgomery, a senior agriculture education major from Shallowater; Jozie Petit, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Seymour; Claudia Tepper, a sophomore agriculture education major from Wolfforth; and Jayden Vititow, a senior animal science / pre-vet major from Sulpher Springs.

They are led by Dr. Kelly Jones, clinical assistant professor of agriculture.

Community members can support Thunder and the Herdsmen joining the Thunder Club. With each $100 membership, supporters get a custom plush buffalo, an invitation to a members-only event and other benefits.

The Herdsmen date back to 1977, tasked with the safety, care and management of Thunder XV, 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 XV will continue his duties while the Herdsmen continue to train Thunder XVI, dubbed “Sally,” 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 more than $170 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M 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. A Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The University also is 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 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: The 2025-2026 Herdsmen at West Texas A&M University are, from left, Calvin Autrey, Claudia Tepper, Cayden Hodnett, Jacque Ghormley, Sam Blanton, Emerson Dean, Jayden Vititow, Will Hauerland, Emily Montgomery, Boone Begert, Jozie Petit and Emily Montgomery. Also pictured are the in-training Thunder XVI, Thunder XV and adviser Dr. Kelly Jones, far right.

—WT—