From enemy mascot to Wyoming icon: the surprising origin of UW’s Pistol Pete

Laramie, Wyo. — Few University of Wyoming fans know that Pistol Pete began not as a Cowboy, but as a Spartan warrior who nearly sparked a riot at UW’s War Memorial Stadium.

A new article on WyoHistory.org reveals how Donald Bogdan, dressed as “Sparti,” the spear-carrying mascot for San Jose State University, created a moment of mayhem during a 1969 game in Laramie—and fell so in love with Wyoming that he returned to create one of college sports’ most enduring mascot traditions.

“Sparti plants the spear, and is looking across the sideline…and there are like 400 people running from that side of the field toward him,” recalled George Henderson, Bogdan’s college roommate and fellow San Jose cheerleader.

Sparti had to hide in the stands for nearly the entire game, said Henderson during an interview with UW American Heritage Center archivist John Waggener, who penned the story for WyoHistory.org

Despite the close call, Bogdan was charmed by Laramie during the homecoming weekend. After graduating from San Jose State, he applied to UW’s graduate program, was accepted, and began his master’s studies in 1970.

Attending his first Wyoming football game as a student, Bogdan was shocked to discover that while UW had Cowboy Joe the Shetland pony and the Pistol Pete logo, there was no human cowboy mascot leading cheers. At the urging of cheerleaders Susan Kamm and Tom Lintz, he assembled a cowboy outfit—complete with chaps, vest, oversized mustache and a pistol that shot out a “BANG” flag—and Pistol Pete was born.

For his tremendous enthusiasm, Bogdan received the prestigious Admiral Emory S. Land Award in October 1971. After earning his master’s degree in 1972, he returned to California to teach industrial arts.

Bogdan’s influence extended beyond Wyoming. His roommate Henderson—whom Bogdan convinced to become a cheerleader—went on to fame as “Krazy George,” the professional cheerleader credited with inventing the stadium “Wave” in the 1980s. “My whole life would have never changed without Don Bogdan,” Henderson said.

Since Bogdan first donned the Pistol Pete outfit in 1970, approximately 25 other UW students have carried on the tradition. The addition of a full cowboy costume with pullover head in the early 1980s obscured Pete’s identity, adding to the mystique of Wyoming’s beloved mascot.

The full article can be read at wyohistory.org. The story is based on Waggener’s research from UW’s American Heritage Center, including interviews with Henderson, archival materials and photographs.

For more than 55 years, Pistol Pete has rallied Cowboys and Cowgirls fans. Now, his remarkable origin story—from enemy mascot to Wyoming icon—is finally told.

About WyoHistory.org

WyoHistory.org is an interactive encyclopedia of Wyoming history that encourages exploration of Wyoming and its past. The website is the primary source of online information about Wyoming history for teachers, students, tourists, public officials, history enthusiasts, scholars and others.

About the American Heritage Center

The American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming is the university’s repository of manuscripts, rare books and university archives. Established in 1945, the AHC holds more than 90,000 cubic feet of historical documents, over 50,000 rare books and extensive collections focusing on Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain West. The AHC serves students and scholars from around the globe and provides fellowships, travel grants and educational outreach programs. Access to the AHC is free and open to all.

Note 

The author of the story, John Waggener, an archivist at UW’s American Heritage Center, is the brother of WyoHistory.org assistant editor Robert Waggener.