Bearkat Lifestyle
Mission Statement
Sam Houston State University is committed to the concept that intercollegiate athletics is an integral part of the university's educational enterprise. The Department of Athletics recognizes that the athletics program must be supportive of the university's mission, to inspire learning through excellence in teaching, to stimulate creativity, to conduct scholarly research and to direct significant institutional resources to the community it serves.
In keeping with these directives, the Department of Athletics understands that its primary mission is to develop student-athletes as complete individuals and educated citizens who are fully prepared to contribute positively to society.
Athletics Strategic Goals
- Provide the best possible entertainment and image for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community by competing on the Division I level through winning athletic teams.
- Provide an environment for student-athletes necessary to enhance graduation through classroom learning experiences that are conducive to a life-skills learning experience on campus and in the community.
- Provide an environment for all staff necessary to attract, develop and retain quality personnel.
- Provide an environment for our alumni, community and friends of the university that encourages active participation in the department programs and development activities.
About Sam Houston State University Athletics
Sam Houston State University sponsors 17 varsity teams - 10 for women and seven for men.
The department is committed to providing its more than 400 student-athletes with exceptional educational and athletic opportunities as well as activities designed to nurture and develop the mind, body and spirit.
Within this context for personal development, Sam Houston State Athletics will maintain an inclusive environment and foster the cultivation of skills through the values and lessons that have long been taught by athletic participation. These values are represented in teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship along with the ethical and responsible behavior both on and off the field of play. With an ultimate goal of striving to compete for championships, we ensure each student-athlete the opportunity for a quality and life-enhancing experience designed to prepare each individual to reach their full potential in the classroom and on the field in preparation for their eventual post collegiate professional careers.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Sam Houston State University Athletics budget is funded by the university, student fees, and through game guarantees. The remainder of the base operating budget is raised through external marketing efforts including ticket sales, corporate partnerships and fund raising.
We must expand our base of donors, patrons, and corporate partners to continue to honor our proud winning tradition and build great Bearkat teams for the future. With that goal in mind, we need you on our team in order to meet these objectives.
Academic Excellence
The Bearkats are committed to academic excellence. The full- time staff is led by Chris Thompson, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Student Services. The staff provides academic counseling, tutor scheduling, progress reports, and direct communication with faculty and coaches. This is primarily handled in the Learning Enhancement Center located in the Woodforest Athletics Center. Additionally, the staff insures the highest level of academic integrity to ensure scheduled graduations.
Health and Nutrition
Physical, mental and social health & proper nutrition are key factors that assist our athletes in reaching their highest performance goals in competition. Our athletic training staff is led by SHSU alum and Huntsville native Dustin LeNorman, who supervises a professional staff of nine certified athletic trainers who work with the 17 NCAA athletic teams on campus. In addition, this department works closely with Huntsville Memorial Hospital, head team physician Dr. Jesse Ward, orthopedist Dr. John Tanksley, orthopedist Dr. Dalton Heath II and a variety of other specialty areas are available to our student-athletes. These relationships are invaluable to our student-athletes in order to provide the highest quality of care in Huntsville. Student-athletes also have the opportunity seek care for non-sport related injury or illness right here on campus at the SH University Health Center. They also provide counseling services and dental care as well to the students enrolled in campus courses.
Strength and Conditioning
Along with health and nutrition, strength and conditioning is a vital part of our student athlete development. Our strength and conditioning department is headed by Trevor Williams, along with assistants Chance Marek and Parke Whiteman. Our program is based on proven principles of physiology and periodization to maximize the athletic potential and protect the health and safety of our student athletes. We aim to produce an environment that is enthusiastic about dedication, discipline and hard work, providing the platform for leaders to emerge and be developed.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
A voice to Sam Houston State Athletics administration and a chance for student-athletes to play a role in achieving the Bearkat Lifestyle.
More about the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Mentoring and Careers
Mentoring guidance is offered for students by coaches, faculty, older student athletes, and alumni. Here on campus we offer career center that assist with things from resume guidance to mock interviews. Also. here there is networking assistance from coaches, faculty, and alumni. Bearkats leave no Bearkat behind.
What is a Bearkat?
Sam Houston State’s athletic teams have been nicknamed “The Bearkats” since 1923 when the university’s name was changed by the Texas state legislature from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College.
Prior to 1923, the varsity sports teams were nicknamed “The Normals.” Early refences to the “Bearkats” spelled the name either “Bearcats,” “Bear Cats,” or “Bearkats.” A bearcat is said by some to be a kinkajou, a small, golden, carnivorous mammal that resides in the jungles of South America.
More likely, the name came from a popular local saying of the time, “touch as a Bearkat!” Since the animal in the saying was though more mythical than real, the spelling settle upon was “Bearkat.”
In the late 1940s, then SHSU President Harmon Lowman attempted to change the Sam Houston mascot from Bearkats to “Ravens” (after General Sam Houston’s Cherokee nickname). Mrs. Vernon Schuder reported that the alumni were polled, she voted for the raven but that “all those old Bearkats beat us out!” The current Sammy Bearkat mascot character began appearing at Sam Houston State sports events in 1959.
Sam Houston State University is committed to the concept that intercollegiate athletics is an integral part of the university's educational enterprise. The Department of Athletics recognizes that the athletics program must be supportive of the university's mission, to inspire learning through excellence in teaching, to stimulate creativity, to conduct scholarly research and to direct significant institutional resources to the community it serves.
In keeping with these directives, the Department of Athletics understands that its primary mission is to develop student-athletes as complete individuals and educated citizens who are fully prepared to contribute positively to society.
Athletics Strategic Goals
- Provide the best possible entertainment and image for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community by competing on the Division I level through winning athletic teams.
- Provide an environment for student-athletes necessary to enhance graduation through classroom learning experiences that are conducive to a life-skills learning experience on campus and in the community.
- Provide an environment for all staff necessary to attract, develop and retain quality personnel.
- Provide an environment for our alumni, community and friends of the university that encourages active participation in the department programs and development activities.
About Sam Houston State University Athletics
Sam Houston State University sponsors 17 varsity teams - 10 for women and seven for men.
The department is committed to providing its more than 400 student-athletes with exceptional educational and athletic opportunities as well as activities designed to nurture and develop the mind, body and spirit.
Within this context for personal development, Sam Houston State Athletics will maintain an inclusive environment and foster the cultivation of skills through the values and lessons that have long been taught by athletic participation. These values are represented in teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship along with the ethical and responsible behavior both on and off the field of play. With an ultimate goal of striving to compete for championships, we ensure each student-athlete the opportunity for a quality and life-enhancing experience designed to prepare each individual to reach their full potential in the classroom and on the field in preparation for their eventual post collegiate professional careers.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Sam Houston State University Athletics budget is funded by the university, student fees, and through game guarantees. The remainder of the base operating budget is raised through external marketing efforts including ticket sales, corporate partnerships and fund raising.
We must expand our base of donors, patrons, and corporate partners to continue to honor our proud winning tradition and build great Bearkat teams for the future. With that goal in mind, we need you on our team in order to meet these objectives.
Academic Excellence
The Bearkats are committed to academic excellence. The full- time staff is led by Chris Thompson, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Student Services. The staff provides academic counseling, tutor scheduling, progress reports, and direct communication with faculty and coaches. This is primarily handled in the Learning Enhancement Center located in the Woodforest Athletics Center. Additionally, the staff insures the highest level of academic integrity to ensure scheduled graduations.
Health and Nutrition
Physical, mental and social health & proper nutrition are key factors that assist our athletes in reaching their highest performance goals in competition. Our athletic training staff is led by SHSU alum and Huntsville native Dustin LeNorman, who supervises a professional staff of nine certified athletic trainers who work with the 17 NCAA athletic teams on campus. In addition, this department works closely with Huntsville Memorial Hospital, head team physician Dr. Jesse Ward, orthopedist Dr. John Tanksley, orthopedist Dr. Dalton Heath II and a variety of other specialty areas are available to our student-athletes. These relationships are invaluable to our student-athletes in order to provide the highest quality of care in Huntsville. Student-athletes also have the opportunity seek care for non-sport related injury or illness right here on campus at the SH University Health Center. They also provide counseling services and dental care as well to the students enrolled in campus courses.
Strength and Conditioning
Along with health and nutrition, strength and conditioning is a vital part of our student athlete development. Our strength and conditioning department is headed by Trevor Williams, along with assistants Chance Marek and Parke Whiteman. Our program is based on proven principles of physiology and periodization to maximize the athletic potential and protect the health and safety of our student athletes. We aim to produce an environment that is enthusiastic about dedication, discipline and hard work, providing the platform for leaders to emerge and be developed.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
A voice to Sam Houston State Athletics administration and a chance for student-athletes to play a role in achieving the Bearkat Lifestyle.
More about the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Mentoring and Careers
Mentoring guidance is offered for students by coaches, faculty, older student athletes, and alumni. Here on campus we offer career center that assist with things from resume guidance to mock interviews. Also. here there is networking assistance from coaches, faculty, and alumni. Bearkats leave no Bearkat behind.
What is a Bearkat?
Sam Houston State’s athletic teams have been nicknamed “The Bearkats” since 1923 when the university’s name was changed by the Texas state legislature from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College.
Prior to 1923, the varsity sports teams were nicknamed “The Normals.” Early refences to the “Bearkats” spelled the name either “Bearcats,” “Bear Cats,” or “Bearkats.” A bearcat is said by some to be a kinkajou, a small, golden, carnivorous mammal that resides in the jungles of South America.
More likely, the name came from a popular local saying of the time, “touch as a Bearkat!” Since the animal in the saying was though more mythical than real, the spelling settle upon was “Bearkat.”
In the late 1940s, then SHSU President Harmon Lowman attempted to change the Sam Houston mascot from Bearkats to “Ravens” (after General Sam Houston’s Cherokee nickname). Mrs. Vernon Schuder reported that the alumni were polled, she voted for the raven but that “all those old Bearkats beat us out!” The current Sammy Bearkat mascot character began appearing at Sam Houston State sports events in 1959.
