How often do you remind yourself that your creativity extends beyond your front porch? How often do you take a chance with your creativity and do something that most people think is crazy?
It does and you should, you know.
I put this theory to a test late in my sophomore year of college. One morning I woke up and just decided that I was going to try out to be the college mascot. Why? I thought I would be good at it, that’s why. I could dance, I could think on my feet, and I thought I could be pretty good with physical humor (when my face was hidden from the world). And honestly, I thought our current mascot was pretty boring.
For weeks, I’d go down to the basement in my sorority house and practice, practice, practice the routine I made up to our fight song and the little skit I put together. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was having fun doing it. At the time, I had no clue that like 99.9% of college mascots were male and that there’s a reason for that (think: HOT, heavy costume).
The day after try-outs, I rushed to the football stadium to check the list of the new cheer squad. Low and behold, there was my name among the tiny, blonde cheerleaders. Who would have thought?
That’s me, as Hook ‘Em, posing with my dad at the Parent’s Weekend game. The cheer coach got my dad on the field for the game. My dad was elated.
My junior year of college was a great, but busy year. Not only did I have a full-load of coursework and a part-time job in the Dean of Students office, but I was Hook ‘Em for football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, softball, pep rallies, and various other appearances when rich alumni requested I be present. It was intense, and I decided that I could only keep up with that schedule for one year. I retired after my junior year, but I don’t regret it for a single second.
I bleed burnt orange, and I wish I could be with my Horns tonight as they play for another National Championship in Pasadena. Instead, I’ll be cheering them on from my couch. I may just get up and do a little mascot dance in my living room. I’ve still got it in me, you know? Win or lose, I am so proud of them. What a stand-up group of young men and coaches we have representing us. It just doesn’t get any better than being a Texas Longhorn.
Something tells me that Mack Brown and Colt McCoy will be putting their own version of creativity on display tonight, and I can hardly wait. Hook ‘Em, Horns!
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Go girl! What an inspirational story. While I'm certain that I would have dropped dead in that hot costume, I know there are areas in my life where that tenacity would be in order.
That is pretty awesome. Now we understand so much more about you . . . It's not what I would've expected and I like you even more now.
You're right, it is pretty great being a Texas Longhorn! Hook 'Em!!
I know what you mean about wishing you could be there, I hate that we can't either. My fam will be sporting our orange tonight for sure. Love the story, what year did you graduate?
That is so fun! What a great story. Hook Em'!
You're AMAZING!!!
XOXO
Great story, but sorry to have to say….
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!
{{HUGS}}
ROBIN
AWESOME! You GO, [wo]man!
I think that is SOO cool Lindsay, I'm sure that you were the best Hook 'Em EVER. You know, I don't think being a Longhorn could possibly be better than being an Ohio State Buckeye, but then my blood is scarlet and gray. Tonight, I'll be rooting for the Longhorns. Have fun!
AWESOME!!! How much fun that had to be! I would have loved to have seen you at work! I'm sure you were fabulous!
Hook 'em Horns! What a great story about being the mascot!!
That's so neat! You will have great memories of that year forever!
Hook 'Em Horns!!!
wow That's so awesome! thanks for sharing.
Wow! And I thought I had school spirit…back in the University of Illinois days I was in the Orange Crush. You know those crazy orange people during the basketball games. You though…you are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!
Hook 'em! I loved reading this post!
That's so cool! I am a fellow Big 12 fan (but of a different ORANGE variety) so I am rooting for the Longhorns! Hook'em!
That is so cool, Lindsay!!!
That is SO fun. You go girl!!! What a great thing to have in your resume of life!!!
I wish your team the best tonight but I'm going to have to yell ROLL TIDE ROLL! (U. Alabama is my team).
May the best team win because they BOTH are amazing!!!
Finally, I've found something wrong with you! I was beginning to think you were perfect. Now I know you root for the wrong team. Roll Tide! Or whatever. I'm not really a football person, but if I didn't root for AL, my entire family would come down on me like the hammer of Thor. Since the game will be on at 2am our time (Germany) I will likely NOT be watching the game, but dh has taken tomorrow off so he can watch it live. Whatever.
I absolutely love your blog. But let me finish this comment by saying BOOMER. Because, as you well know, die hard fans have to show their support, even when their team royally effs up a season. Le sigh.
How cool is that!
I will now look at mascots with a lot more respect. What an amazing experience for you.
Even though I'm not a UT fan (raised in Aggieland, Tx Tech graduate), that is very cool. I did live in Austin for 10 years though so I learned to tolerate Longhorns
What a cool post! Sometimes it is the most fun to dance as if no one is watching! But, on another note, Texas should have never beat Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship Game. I bleed Nebraska Red! But, tonight at my house we will be rooting for the Big 12, so go Horns!
I love this story and what memories….BUT…did you know…I live in…..
ALABAMA…….ROOOOLLLLLL TIDE BABY!!!!!!!!!
All of our attorneys are in Pasadena (lucky dogs) and we are here at home, holding down the fort and waiting in anticipation for TONIGHT!!! I AM A NERVOUS WRECK!!
I know you were an awesom Hook'em though!
Good luck tonight!
Lou Cinda
How fun!!! I couldn't imagine being the mascot for such a huge and popular team/college!!! I'm a Sooner but tonight, I will be cheering for UT along with my husband. That's right, I live in a house divided!
I've been reading your blog for months. Imagine my surprise to find a fellow longhorn. I guess it's not that surprising. I find them everywhere I go. I'll be rooting from Vegas tonight, where the game begins at 4:30. That probably explains why I'm suddenly coming down with a cough. And sniffles. And maybe plain old "lady problems" if need be.
How cool is that?! It doesn't surprise me though…you seem like the kind of girl who, once she makes her mind up, shoots for the star and doesn't often miss.
I wish you had posted video of yourself in costume…I know you have to have some in the family archives!!! ; )
Well I am going to have to go ahead and say it……..BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't worry I still like you and your blog too!
That is so funny!!! I am an AUBURN grad, which is Bama's biggest rival…. I will be a TEXAS FAN tonight!!! HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!!!
WHAT? The things you learn about people through blogs! That is awesome. My little sister was our High School mascot. That was weird enough
Awww…what a sweet story. Bless your heart I wish you could be there. Wish I could be too, but being a southern belle from the heart of dixie I'd have to be screaming Roll Tide Roll!!! Your blog is so awesome!
This Texas gal will be yelling for the horns tonight!!!
That Colt McCoy seems like a great young man with good character.
That is awesome! I was mascot in high school and had an absolute blast, but the pace was no where near as intense.
Maybe you should whip up some horns for the big game? I see some crafty potential with this one
Roll Tide… right on home! GO HORNS!
What a great experience for you! Never be afraid to "go for it". You just might have the time of your life!
YES, you do bleed orange. I can picture you in your house tonight yelling at the TV…
this was such a cute story!!
I have given you an award…you can go here to check it out
http://lifewiththegrovers.blogspot.com/2010/01/guess-what.html
Just had to say that I love your blog, and it's so cool that you were Hook 'Em in the Fall of 1997 — the semester I graduated from UT!
So cool, Lindsay! What a great game~we're all for Texas here! Hook 'em horns!!
Great story Lindsay!! I'm a fellow UT grad (I was there 1997-2001 so I guess I got to see you in action my first semester). I actually know another girl that was Hook 'Em too. What a coincidence! She must have tried out after you "retired," maybe in 98? Anyway, thanks for sharing your story. Hook 'em Horns!!
Love reading about your experiences here on your fantastic blog…I'm an Alabama transplant living in California…so my loyalties are with Bama! ROLL TIDE! Thanks for all of your inspiration!
I totally identify with your school spirit! I'm a Texan too. From the time I was old enough to remember, (my 4 uncles and mom and grandad all graduated from Baylor)I was taught to sing a song that said, "I'm a Baylor girl born, I'm a Baylor girl bread and when I die I'll be a Baylor girl dead, singing rah, rah for Baylor, Baylor, rah,rah for Baylor, Baylor, rah, rah for Baylor, Baylor rah, rah rah! Needless to say I graduated from BU but don't hold that against me. I am also raising a 17 yr. old grandaughter and battling cancer but I'm drinking from my saucer 'cause my has overflowed! I wish you would visit my blogsite and join me too. I am enjoying following you and proud for UT!
xoxo,
nancy
http://www.rivieraboardwalk.blogspot.com
Lindsay — You were Hook 'Em? OMG, I'll have to tell my 13 yr old. He's nuts about UT. That game was just a rollercoaster ride tonight wasn't it. But I cannot believe how well they came back in the 2nd half w/o McCoy. Amazing! They are definitely the better team. Oddly enough, my friend who we were watching the game with had a dream the night before (that she shared at the beginning of the evening) that McCoy got hurt. And then it happened! We were all humming the Twilight Zone music after that. Weird!
I love your blog….. but ….. ROLL TIDE ROLL. Yep, the TIDE did roll on home to T-town tonight with the crystal trophy. Texas played a great game and I hate to see Colt injured but… ROLL TIDE ROLL. Colt is a class act and if UT is playing any other team, I always want cheer for the Longhorns to win. Great game between two great schools.
We lived in San Antonio for 10 years and I seriously do not like the Aggies.