🐾Mascot: "Bear Kats"

Meet the Bearkats, the unique and spirited mascot of Sam Houston State University in Texas This mascot is a blend of the toughness of a bear and the agility of a cat, making it sound pretty fierce. But here's the cool part: the name "Bearkat" doesn't actually refer to a real animal, but more of a mythical hybrid that symbolizes strength and resilience. The story goes that the term "Bearkat" came from a local saying, "Tough as a Bearkat!" which was popular back in the day. Despite being a bit confusing, with some people even keeping a kinkajou (a small, golden mammal) as a mascot in the past, the Bearkat has stuck and is now a beloved symbol for the school. Ngl, it's pretty cute and intimidating at the same time 🦴 🛡️. So, if you're ever in Texas and hear someone cheering "Eat 'em up, Kats!" you know they're talking about the Bearkats 🏆