Kangaroo Mascot & UT Football 1923

Today's post was going to focus on AC baseball and the glory years (1909-1914). But I've changed directions temporarily because of some of you. AC baseball will have to wait a bit. Today's post will instead be called "Pat & the Horns". Will return to the glory years later; the people have spoken and demand more "Pat".

Thanks Jason for the comment about the AC Kangaroos mascot origin.

Let's get a couple of things out of the way first. There is only one real AC Roo. Ms. Stacy Jacob. :). Also, Pat has or had a grave Wayne? To be honest, I don't remember a thing about Pat or the Kangaroo Mascot. Where do I turn in my AC card? :)

I don't remember, but the archives do! See photo.

I find it a bit suspect that "Pat" was the state's first live animal mascot. But maybe I'm wrong. Pat is definitely older than Reveille, but 1922 appears to be after Bevo came to town.

Pat didn't even make it a whole year, poor guy/gal. The papers claim that climate and loneliness were his demise in early October. Maybe. But I have my own theory in the next comment.................

AC football has a history with the UT Longhorns. And during the glory year period (1909-1914), it was competitive. The Roos have never beaten the Horns unfortunately, but they came oh so close in 1912. I'll come back around to AC & UT football.

But as the schools went in different directions, the rivalry inevitably came to an end. The last AC/UT football game was on September 28, 1923, with the Horns prevailing 31-0.

The Houston Post had two columns about the game, both a preview and a recap. The preview is interesting because it refers to a close contest the year before, and also because it mentions injured UT quarterback George Gardere. This is, believe it or not, Peter Gardere's grandfather............he of the 4 wins against OU when I was in Sherman. The recap is somewhat positive about the Roos as well, in spite of the loss.

Jason's comment mentions that Pat traveled to all the games. The UT game was roughly a week before his death. Seems likely he made his way down to Clark Field and picked up a case of the blues..........depression with the loss, depression with the end of the AC/UT football rivalry, and maybe a case of Travis County cedar fever thrown in.

R.I.P. Pat. You did your duty for the Roos taking on the mighty Horns.

AC baseball tomorrow, then posting may be lighter during Spring Break week. But more stories to come after that!

Clark Field, site of the 9/28/1923 AC loss to UT, and the beginning of the end for Pat. 1923 was also the last year for Clark Field, where the Horns played football & baseball. The Horns were 8-0-1 in 1923. DKR Memorial was born in 1924.