Cosmo the Cougar explained

Cosmo
University:Brigham Young University
Conference:Big 12 Conference
Description:Anthropomorphic cougar
Name Origin:BYU’s mascot got its name after BYU was named a “cosmopolitan” school in 1953.
First Seen:October 15, 1953

Cosmo is the official mascot of Brigham Young University's (BYU) athletic teams. He can be seen at almost all sporting events, wearing the uniform of the team that is playing. In the past, Cosmo's job was a volunteer position, and no scholarship or academic assistance was given. However, scholarships and other benefits are offered today. The mascot is expected to be involved in civic events and university functions. He is also the brother of Cosmo Cougar Junior, Cooper Cougar, Corbin Cougar, Cosmabelle Cougar, and Charlotte Cougar.

Cosmo was named the Mascot "National Champion" in the SXM College's Twitter poll in April 2020.[1]

History of Cosmo

Cosmo comes to life

On October 15, 1953, Cosmo made his first appearance in front of BYU fans.[2] Dwayne Stevenson, the pep chairman of BYU, bought the costume for $73 and persuaded his roommate Daniel T. Gallego to wear it and thus become the first Cosmo.[3] The name Cosmo derives from the word "cosmopolitan" and was chosen because BYU had recently been selected as a Cosmopolitan school. Cosmo became immediately popular, and since Gallego many people have been Cosmo, including BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson, who once put on the costume at a pep rally. LaVell Edwards, the legendary football coach for the Cougars, wore the Cosmo costume during the final season basketball game against Utah in 1981.

Cosmo undergoes cosmetic surgery

On September 2, 1997, BYU's Athletic Media Relations announced that while hunting Swoop the Hawk (rival) Utah's mascot in Rock Canyon, Cosmo fell 100 feet. Several students saw the fall, however, and called Utah Valley Search and Rescue, which performed emergency surgery on Cosmo. This included reduction in head size, which allowed Cosmo more range of motion and the ability to perform more daring stunts. Cosmo frequently does flips, walks on stilts, rides motorcycles, and performs slam dunks in order to please the crowd. It was remarked once on ESPN that Cosmo was "probably the most athletic mascot in college basketball."

Cosmo today

Cosmo's workload of performances at more than 450 functions a year necessitates that there be more than one Cosmo at a time.[4] A team of people, Team Cosmo, helps him with his antics.[5] He drives around in the Cosmobile, a van retrofitted for Cosmo's active lifestyle, and also owns a go-cart. In 2020, Cosmo won the Sirius XM Mascot Bracket Championship and was named National Champion of Mascots.[6] [7]

In popular culture

In 2012 Cosmo has been the subject of a series of short films,[2] "Cosmo Begins," and "Cosmo: Reloaded," which have been displayed between the third and fourth quarters at home football games.[8] He also participated in the Capital One Mascot Bowl and was featured on several commercials that showed on national television.[9]

Past Cosmos

Over 70 people have been Cosmo over the years. Some of them include:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. 1251224086514147328. SXMCollege. After looking into the voting of the.... 17 April 2020.
  2. Walker. Michael R.. History of the Cosmos. BYU Magazine. Winter 2012. 66. 1. 26–33. May 19, 2012.
  3. Web site: Tietjen . Courtney . 2018-04-10 . The history of Cosmo . 2023-11-02 . The Daily Universe . en-US.
  4. Web site: Walker . Michael R . Observing the Cosmos (1990) .
  5. Web site: Haleck . Emily . Cosmo inseparable from BYU sports (2003) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060113201303/http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/43147 . 2006-01-13 .
  6. Web site: 2020-04-17 . Big Red Falls In Controversial Mascot Bracket Championship Round . 2023-11-02 . WNKY News 40 Television . en-US.
  7. Web site: Cosmo crowned mascot national champion . 2023-11-02 . BYU Athletics - Official Athletics Website - BYU Cougars.
  8. Web site: Home . 2023-10-31 . Cosmo Cougar . en.
  9. Web site: Harper . Mitch . 30 October 2021 . BYU’s Cosmo Appears In ‘Heisman House’ TV Commercial . 2 November 2023 . KSL Sports.
  10. Web site: Greenhalgh . Paul . 2014-07-07 . Cougar Kickoff Countdown: 53 days . 2024-09-10 . Vanquish The Foe . en.
  11. Web site: 1990-1999 Alumni Cheerleaders . 2009-04-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110203142728/http://www.byucougars.com/cheerleaders/1990_1999.jsp . 2011-02-03 .
  12. Web site: Secrecy: the key to Cosmo's success. universe2.byu.edu . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120419210519/http://universe2.byu.edu/node/13629 . 19 April 2012 . dead.
  13. Web site: BYU's Cosmo provides more than just backflips for fans. Daily Herald. 2015-10-17.
  14. Web site: In an interview after coming out as gay, man who was BYU's dancing Cosmo the Cougar talks about 'shame and isolation'. Alberty. Erin. Cannon. Kelly. 2019-02-26. The Salt Lake Tribune. en-US. 2019-06-18.
  15. Web site: King & Queen of Country Swing. 2020-08-01. www.facebook.com.
  16. Web site: Harper . Mitch . 2020-06-05 . Life As BYU's Cosmo: What It Takes To Become A National Champion Mascot . 2022-10-01 . KSL Sports.

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