History of Peruna
The following history is taken from SMU's Official Website and is solely the work of SMU.
"In a popular vote by the student body on October 25, 1917, ‘Mustangs’ replaced the ‘unofficial’ name of Parsons as the nickname for all SMU athletic teams. Later, in 1932, a live mascot was adopted. Cy Barcus, a 1929 graduate of Perkins School of Theology and director of the Mustang Band, introduced the black Shetland pony as the mascot. In the March 22, 1985 edition of The Daily Campus, Barcus related his story to Linda Beheler: “I was out on a picnic and saw a little black horse running through the high weeds and I said, ‘that would make a good mascot for SMU.’ So I went to coach Ray Morrison and said, ‘Ray, I’ve found a horse that I think would make a good mascot,’ and he told me to bring it to the pep meeting. So I got a popular [student] to bring the pony to the pep rally and from then on it became the official school mascot.”
During Prohibition there was a popular alcohol-laced over the counter medicine called ‘Peruna Tonic’. The mascot was quickly given the name ‘Peruna’ reflecting this ‘medicine’ (Did someone say ‘spirit’?) There is no longer a double entendre when one hears the name ‘Peruna’, but the lively black stallion has always been a representation of true SMU spirit.
Following the death of Peruna I, W.E. Culwell (owner of Culwell and Sons) began a tradition of supplying SMU’s mascot. According to Culwell’s son, C.W. ‘Cully’ Culwell (’54), “He (Dad) would go to every game and serve barbeque to the players after the game; he really loved the school….Dad donated a Shetland pony because they have a greater longevity than a quarter-horse.” (Shetlands will normally live 25 years or more, while a quarter horse will only live 15-18 years.) His generosity continued until his death in 1964 and has been continued by the Culwell family. Until 1993, the mascot was stabled on the 500-acre Culwell Ranch in Grapevine. Since then, the stabling location is kept a secret. To date, eight mascots have represented SMU…6 stallions and 2 mares, although hard-core types prefer all-black stallions because of their alleged vitality and spirit. When Cully Culwell was having difficulty locating a black stallion to replace Peruna VI, he shared that “stallions are hard to obtain now because most young male horses are castrated to make them tamer….a stallion which is more aggressive, better represents the spirit of the SMU Mustangs.”
For over sixty years, Peruna’s job was to run across the field after every touchdown. In 1996 at the Cotton Bowl in SMU’s first WAC game vs. Tulsa, the WAC Commissioner told SMU athletic officials that it was not legal and to stop before penalties were given. (Due to incidents in other conferences, the NCAA reviewed guidelines about mascot safety and decided mascots should not be allowed on the field during the time of play.) Since that time, Peruna leads the team onto the field and runs between quarters. All Perunas (past and present) have been hell to control and stories of antics and misbehavior are legendary. He kicks, he trips up his handlers, and is generally uncooperative. When he takes off with his two handlers, there is often a question as to who’s running who."
(Further history written by Perunapedia webmaster)
After entering Conference USA, Peruna was once again allowed to run across the field to celebrate Mustang touchdowns. Peruna VIII served as the mascot from 1997 until his retirement at the UCF game at Ford Stadium on October 15th, 2011. Peruna IX, a young stallion, was then introduced as SMU's newest mascot. Although only serving a short time thus far, he has already made a name for himself as a feisty (and mean!) Shetland who truly lives up to his name.
During Prohibition there was a popular alcohol-laced over the counter medicine called ‘Peruna Tonic’. The mascot was quickly given the name ‘Peruna’ reflecting this ‘medicine’ (Did someone say ‘spirit’?) There is no longer a double entendre when one hears the name ‘Peruna’, but the lively black stallion has always been a representation of true SMU spirit.
Following the death of Peruna I, W.E. Culwell (owner of Culwell and Sons) began a tradition of supplying SMU’s mascot. According to Culwell’s son, C.W. ‘Cully’ Culwell (’54), “He (Dad) would go to every game and serve barbeque to the players after the game; he really loved the school….Dad donated a Shetland pony because they have a greater longevity than a quarter-horse.” (Shetlands will normally live 25 years or more, while a quarter horse will only live 15-18 years.) His generosity continued until his death in 1964 and has been continued by the Culwell family. Until 1993, the mascot was stabled on the 500-acre Culwell Ranch in Grapevine. Since then, the stabling location is kept a secret. To date, eight mascots have represented SMU…6 stallions and 2 mares, although hard-core types prefer all-black stallions because of their alleged vitality and spirit. When Cully Culwell was having difficulty locating a black stallion to replace Peruna VI, he shared that “stallions are hard to obtain now because most young male horses are castrated to make them tamer….a stallion which is more aggressive, better represents the spirit of the SMU Mustangs.”
For over sixty years, Peruna’s job was to run across the field after every touchdown. In 1996 at the Cotton Bowl in SMU’s first WAC game vs. Tulsa, the WAC Commissioner told SMU athletic officials that it was not legal and to stop before penalties were given. (Due to incidents in other conferences, the NCAA reviewed guidelines about mascot safety and decided mascots should not be allowed on the field during the time of play.) Since that time, Peruna leads the team onto the field and runs between quarters. All Perunas (past and present) have been hell to control and stories of antics and misbehavior are legendary. He kicks, he trips up his handlers, and is generally uncooperative. When he takes off with his two handlers, there is often a question as to who’s running who."
(Further history written by Perunapedia webmaster)
After entering Conference USA, Peruna was once again allowed to run across the field to celebrate Mustang touchdowns. Peruna VIII served as the mascot from 1997 until his retirement at the UCF game at Ford Stadium on October 15th, 2011. Peruna IX, a young stallion, was then introduced as SMU's newest mascot. Although only serving a short time thus far, he has already made a name for himself as a feisty (and mean!) Shetland who truly lives up to his name.
Frances Ware, Peruna's Best Friend
"Peruna's Best Friend" Frances Ware ('44) passed away recently in December of 2010. She was the only person that had been a friend of each and every Peruna! She grew up around SMU, went to school there, and worked in the community after graduation. Not only the school, but especially Peruna was a huge part of her life. Her lifelong friendship with Peruna was honored by his attendance at her funeral. Though I had only a brief time in which to know her, it was easy to tell she was an incredible woman.
For her memory's sake, I have preserved her obituary on this website. Please feel free to read about this wonderful woman.
Read Frances' obituary
For her memory's sake, I have preserved her obituary on this website. Please feel free to read about this wonderful woman.
Read Frances' obituary