Pistol Pete (New Mexico State University)

Pistol Pete
University	New Mexico State University
Conference	WAC / Sunbelt
Description	Person in cowboy hat, vest, and chaps, twirling pistols
First seen	1950s

Pistol Pete is the mascot for the New Mexico State Aggies, the athletic teams of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. Pistol Pete is portrayed by a NMSU student dressed in traditional cowboy attire, including a cowboy hat, a vest, and chaps, and armed with twirling pistols.^[1] NMSU licenses Pistol Pete from Oklahoma State University for $10/year as part of a settlement of a copyright infringement lawsuit.^[2]

History

Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton, the inspiration for the mascot

For many years, NMSU's athletics logo was a caricature of Old West gunfighter and lawman Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton which was identical to that of Oklahoma State.

Lasso Larry Debacle

Pistol Pete was disarmed in 2005 as part of a controversial plan to rebrand the university on the national stage.^[3] Pete's pistol was replaced with a lasso, and his name was briefly officially abbreviated to simply "Pete." The costumed mascot seen at games also lost his six shooters and holster belt in favor of a lasso.^[4] The disarming of Pete led to a massive uproar among students, alumni and outsiders demanding the return of Pete's guns. Popular T-shirts worn around campus featured the old Pistol Pete logo modified to show an oversized gun in his hand, with the slogan “Who Brings a Lasso to a Gunfight?” The decision was even criticized by Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly during his "Most Ridiculous Item of the Day" segment.^[5] The most popular nickname given to the widely unpopular new mascot was "Lasso Larry."

Revival of Pistol Pete

After one year the university removed the cartoonish mascot in favor of a real student dressed in more traditional cowboy attire, carrying a holster belt and six shooters, and wearing a black cowboy hat. The "Pistol Pete" name was also restored. In 2007, NMSU modified the "Lasso Larry" logo to remove the lasso and once again depict Pistol Pete carrying pistols, and this is now the official athletics logo.

Pistol Pete on the Wrong Side of the Law

In 2009, Pistol Pete was suspended for one game by the Western Athletic Conference for fighting with Utah State's mascot, Big Blue, during a 2009 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament game.^[6]

References

↑ "A new era for Pistol Pete at NMSU". New Mexico State University. October 1, 2012. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
↑ "Oklahoma State University, New Mexico State University settle mascot" (PDF). New Mexico State University. December 4, 2014. Retrieved 2016-09-11.
↑ "New Mexico State might retire Pistol Pete". ESPN. May 29, 2005. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
↑ "N.M. State's 'Pistol Pete' Losing Pistol". Fox News. August 15, 2005. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
↑ FOXNews.com - The Truth About the Cindy Sheehan Situation - Bill O’Reilly | The O’Reilly Factor
↑ "Pistol Pete suspended one game". ESPN. March 30, 2009. Retrieved 2014-05-28.

External links

New Mexico State University
Located in: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Academics	College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences College of Arts and Sciences College of Business College of Education College of Engineering College of Health and Social Services College of Honors Other: Graduate School
Athletics	New Mexico State Aggies Football Aggie Memorial Stadium Men's basketball Women's basketball Pan American Center Baseball Presley Askew Field Golf New Mexico State University Golf Course Pistol Pete Rivalries Rio Grande Rivalry The Battle of I-10 Western Athletic Conference Sun Bowl
Campuses	Las Cruces Alamogordo Carlsbad Doña Ana Grants Albuquerque Center
Media	The Round Up KRWG-TV KRWG-FM KRUX
People	Alumni & Faculty Garrey Carruthers
Other	Apache Point Observatory Blue Mesa Observatory Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility Domenici Institute International Environmental Design Contest Botanical Garden The Chile Pepper Institute Petey (satellite) Tortugas Mountain Observatory
Founded: 1888 Students: 18,497 Endowment: 214.8 million

New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball
Venues	Pan American Center (1968–present)
Rivalries	New Mexico UTEP
Culture & lore	History Pistol Pete
People	Head coaches
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NCAA Final Four appearance in italics

New Mexico State Aggies football
Venues	Miller Field (1894–1932) Quesenberry Field (1933–1949) Memorial Stadium (1950–1977) Aggie Memorial Stadium (1978–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games New Mexico: Rio Grande Rivalry UTEP: Battle of I-10
Culture & lore	Pistol Pete "Aggie Fight Song" Pride of New Mexico
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
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