Oklahoma State University Athletics
Pistol Pete
October 17, 2004 | General
The nickname was quickly adopted, yielding a genuine identity that had long been lacking on campus and around the community. Around 1923, an early U.S. deputy marshal, Frank B. "Pistol Pete" Eaton, headed Stillwater's Armistice Day Parade. At the parade's end, the search for a replacement for the Tigers was over.
The spirited image of a tough, proud, self-reliant cowboy triggered by Eaton became a cartoon drawing. The new mascot was easily woven into campus life, but it was not until 1984 that official sanction would be given to the emblem and its "Pistol Pete" moniker. By then, the Cowboys had already been settled into 60 years of vocabularies and print, spilling over into the general references to the student body, alumni, faculty and fans.
For thirty-five years, the crusty old cowboy was a living symbol of OSU, representing the colorful past of the area. As such, he would attend OSU athletic events, building dedications, etc., and sign autographs, pose for photographs and reminisce about the Old West with anyone who would listen.
Each year, 10 to 15 OSU students try out for Pistol Pete. A panel of former "Petes" judge the tryouts and select the two best candidates based on an interview, a mime, and posing as mascot in different "game situations". The two who are selected split the approximately 500 appearances annually, including all athletic events, pep rallies, business openings, weddings, birthday parties, and public school events.
Though Pistol Pete has been OSU's mascot since 1923, only since 1958 has someone worn the current garb and "head".
The former Pistol Petes and the years they served are as follows:
1958 Alan Leech
1958-59 Charles Lester
1959-60 Bill Smith
1960-61 Curtis Manley
1961-62 William G. Wehner
1962-63 Pete Fay
1963 Joe Mark Sullivan
1964 Unknown
1964-65 Phil Glasgow
1965-66 Mitch Dobson
1966-67 Steve Costello
1967-70 Bill Johnson and Dale Clark
1970-71 Bill Ransdell and Ned Kessler
1971-72 Bill Ransdell and Richard Forshee
1972-73 Gary Bridwell and Mike Martin
1973-74 Joe Elsener and William E. Beckman
1974-75 Tom Bennett
1975-76 Mark Whitlaw
1976-77 John Michael Entz
1977-78 Rick Dillard and Wendall Hicks
1978-79 Dwain Gibson
1979-80 Scott Kirley and Kelley Green
1980-81 Kurt Carter and Don Giles
1981-82 Don Giles and Shane LaDuke
1982-83 Shane LaDuke and Rob Reynolds
1983-84 Rob Reynolds and Jesse Lancaster
1984-85 David Treece and Rick Wilson
1985-86 Rick Wilson and Scott Petty (Rick was selected as All-American Mascot)
1986-87 Scott Petty and Scott Noble
1987-88 Lance Millis and Jack Franks
1988-89 Matt Ketchum and John Price
1989-90 John Price and Kent Walstad
1990-91 Billy Sigmon and Chris Moody
1991-92 Billy Sigmon and Trey Stewart
1992-93 Trey Stewart and Brad Chelf
1993-94 Vince Kirkes and Chris Carroll
1994-95 Vince Kirkes and Jeff Walls
1995-96 Ryan Stafford and Cody Eden (Both were selected as All-American Mascots)
1996-97 Ryan Stafford and Matt Ralls (Both were selected as All-American Mascots)
1997-98 Matt Ralls and Brock Allen
1998-99 Preston Williams and Rhett Minson (Both were selected as All-American Mascots)
1999-2000 Rhett Minson and Rob Neville
2000-01 Wes Magill and Joe Winchester
2001-02 Tyler Mullman and Stormy Phillips
2002-03 Jason Hynson and Steven Sturgeon
2003-2004 Josh Pulver and Jared Wiley
