North Texas Eagles

North Texas Eagles - History

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Scrappy, The Eagle Mascot

Students in a 1922 campus election chose the eagle over the dragon and lion as the college's mascot. In the '60s, a costumed Scrappy began appearing at games and other events. The mascot was renamed Eppy in 1974 by students
North Texas football historywho thought the name "Scrappy" was too warlike. However, Scrappy was reborn in 1995, when students decided the first name was better.

Eagle Claw

The eagle hand sign is our universal sign of pride and unity. Curl the thumb and index and middle fingers forward. The right and pinkie fingers stay closed against the palm.

Mean Green Nickname

Although green has been the school color since around 1902, the "Mean Green" nickname dates form the late '60s when the football team's defense was dominating other teams. One of the outstanding players at the time was "Mean" Joe Greene.
 
   

No one served longer as North Texas football coach than Odus Mitchell. His career at the school spanned the years from 1946-1966. During this time he won 122, lost 85, and tied 9 football games. His teams won or shared ten conference championships and his 1959 squad appeared in the Sun Bowl.

Mean Green Village

Various groups set up tents near Fouts Field before home football games. Meals are available at this popular social event, which is one of the university's newest traditions.

Fight Song

The Fight Song was written by North Texas alumnus Francis Stroup in fall of 1939. He wrote it after attending a Saturday Night Stage Show where 'Fessor Floyd Graham, director of the Aces of Collegeland swing band, held a contest to pick a school fight song.

Let's give a cheer for U of NT! Cheer for the green and white.
Victory's in store whate'er the score,
Our team will ever fight. Fight, fight, fight!
Shoulder to shoulder we march along, striving for vic-tor-y.
Playing the game for the honor and fame and glory of UNT!
U...N...T Eagles! UNT Eagles! Fight, fight fight!
Glory to the Green

Alma Mater

Adopted in 1922, our alma mater was composed by Julia Smith, a saxophone player in the Normal College Band who later earned fame as a composer. The original lyrics were the handiwork of student Charles Langford.

Singing glory to the green, singing glory to the white,
For we know our university is striving for the right;
Down the corridor of years, we'll forget the joys and tears,
But North Texas, North Texas, we love!

Spirit Bell

The Spirit Bell was brought to Denton from Michigan in 1891. It was used to signal class changes and evening curfew. The 2,000-pound bell served as a sound of victory for many years until a crack was found within. The Talons dedicated the original bell to the university in 1982, and it was placed in the University Union across from the One O'Clock Lounge. Though smaller, the bell's successor can be heard at any home football game ringing with pride.

Boomer, The Victory Cannon


The tradition of firing the cannon began in 1970. The modern cannon is a scale replica of a Civil War model and is managed by the Talons. Boomer is fired at special campus events and at football games to signal touchdowns.

Lighting the McConnell Tower

After a victory by a UNT athletic team, special green floodlights bathe the Administration Building clock tower to signal the victory to the campus and the community.

Homecoming Bonfire

The tradition of the Homecoming bonfire began in the '30s. Members of the Talons spirit organization build the fire, which is lit the Friday night of Homecoming at the Eagle Point Golf Course.

University Seal

Atop the seal is the lamp of learning, burning with an eternal flame representing academic achievement and excellence. The beveled lone star in the center symbolizes the great state of Texas.
 

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