Traditions

The Horse

The riding of the horse at the start of each home football game is one of the most talked about aspects of Choctaw tradition. While this tradition does not date back as far as others, it has as many tales to it as any other.

Football coach and athletic director, Wyman Townsel, came to Choctaw in 1965. The athletic program was struggling, and Townsel's goal was to get the players and fans motivated. His idea was for a student to ride a horse at an outdoor pep rally to get the crowd motivated. He chose a student who agreed to paint himself green to ride the horse. Well, when the band struck up, "Big Green Indian," the plan fell apart. Seems the horse wasn't too fond of the song and bucked the student off.

Obviously, that was not the end of the horse, though. Townsel found Jim Hart, a local equestrian and Choctaw fan, to help with the horse. Hart taught several individuals how to ride the horse, and after several years, students "auditioned" to ride the horse. Not only does the student have to know how to ride the horse, but he or she also has to throw a spear midfield. Add to that the football team running onto the field, the crowd is going wild, and oh yes, the band is playing, "Big Green Indian." It is quite a challenge to ride the horse at each game.

Brian Buckelew, Class of 1987 grad, rode the horse for two years. "It was a thrill and honor to ride the horse at each game. Mr. Ely helped me a great deal in learning how to handle riding the horse onto the field, " Buckelew said. The horse has also impacted visiting rivals. At one particular school, the football team had to be warned about the horse because a previous trip to Big Green Territory had intimidated, and in fact, frightened many of the players. The Head Coach actually spent valuable practice time going over the horse-riding and spear-throwing so his players would be ready. Legend has it that the team was still awestruck.

Many think that the idea of the horse was borrowed from Florida State University, but according to Townsel, that isn't true. He said that Ann Bowden, wife of Florida State University football coach, Bobby Bowden, attended a Choctaw football game in the 1970s, saw the horse run, and told her husband that it would be a good idea for FSU.

Over the years, both males and females have ridden the horse. It still incites spirit among current Choctaw students as well as alumni and equally impresses those visiting us.