Athletics
This is the official animal nickname given to all athletic teams representing Sam Houston State University.
What is the Bearkats?
This massive 67-foot-tall white statue, visible to everyone driving into town along Interstate 45, is a monumental tribute to the university's famous namesake.
What is the Sam Houston Statue?
This legendary Texas general, statesman, and hero of the Battle of San Jacinto is the historic individual whom SHSU is named after.
Who is Sam Houston?
These are the official primary athletic colors that you will see all over campus and on school apparel.
What are orange and white?
This is the name of the Texas city where Sam Houston State University’s main campus is located.
What is Huntsville?
Named after the university's 11th president, this home turf stadium for Bearkat Football underwent major multi-million-dollar press box renovations.
What is Elliott T. Bowers Stadium?
This huge campus fitness facility features a climbing wall, indoor track, basketball courts, and an outdoor swimming pool for students.
What is the Rec Center?
Sam Houston State University was originally founded as a normal institute in this calendar year.
What is 1879?
This is the official name of the university's energetic, furry mascot who cheers on teams at games and rallies.
Who is Sammy the Bearkat?
This is the name of the university's official mobile safety app that students use to contact campus police, walk virtually with friends, or report tips.
What is KatSafe?
When the Bearkats score a touchdown or make a big play, fans always yell out this official two-word school rallying cry.
What is "Eat 'Em Up!"? (Also accept "Eat 'Em Up, Kats!")
Located at the heart of campus, this multi-story hub houses the university bookstore, the food court, student organization offices, and the theater.
What is the Lowman Student Center?
This was the original name of Sam Houston State University.
What is the Sam Houston Normal Institute?
Every Friday at SHSU, students and faculty participate in this weekly tradition by wearing orange.
What is Bearkat Spirit Friday?
This is the name of the beloved, stray three-legged mixed-breed dog who roamed campus for over 15 years, becoming so deeply loved by students that he served as SHSU's "unofficial" live mascot until 1962.
Who is Tripod?
Seating over 6,000, this multi-purpose indoor campus arena is the energetic home court for Bearkat basketball and volleyball.
What is the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum?
This is the massive, multi-story main library on campus where students go to study, read books, and visit the Starbuck's on the first floor.
What is the Newton Gresham Library?
Constructed in 1851, this structure on the SHSU campus holds the title of the oldest university building west of the Mississippi still in continuous operation.
What is Austin Hall?
This is the formal name of the official SHSU school song that students and alumni sing together at the end of every graduation ceremony.
What is the Alma Mater?
The inside of every official university ring features a single word etched into the band, honoring the gold ring Sam Houston's mother gave him before he went to war in 1813.
What is "Honor"?
This historic, intense annual East Texas sports rivalry football game is played between the Bearkats and the Stephen F. Austin (SFA) Lumberjacks.
What is the Battle of the Piney Woods?
This multi-story brick tower stands tall on campus and chimes throughout the day, marking the hours for students walking to class.
What is the Blatchley Bell Tower?
This catastrophic, middle-of-the-night fire in February 1982 destroyed which iconic campus building, leaving only its exterior brick arches standing?
What is the Old Main building?
This is the official name of the university's fight song that the Bearkat Marching Band plays whenever the football team scores.
What is the SHSU Fight Song?
General Sam Houston was famously given the nickname "The Raven" during his youth when he lived among this specific Native American tribe.
Who are the Cherokee?