The Year of the Cowboy
The Year of the Cowboy
Celebrating 100 years of Frank Eaton's legacy
A special tradition was born in the early 1920s when Oklahoma State University (then
Oklahoma A&M College) began searching for a new mascot. The true roots of Pistol Pete
date back to a century ago. The character of Pistol Pete originated from Frank B. Eaton. In the 1920s, Eaton was involved in the Armistice Day Parade in Stillwater and OSU’s
Homecoming Parade. This well-known and admired cowboy passed away in 1958 — that same
year, Charlie Lester appeared as OSU’s first Pistol Pete mascot.
Eaton will always be remembered, and “Pistol Pete” continues to serve as a symbol
of the cowboy spirit now and forever.
Schedule of Events
Commemorating Cowboy history
Hold on to your cowboy hats as we gear up to pay homage to our cherished Cowboy history!
We plan to celebrate this milestone with special events, exclusive memorabilia and
more. This year's Homecoming theme is inspired by Pistol Pete's anniversary.
Pistol Pete then and now
The evolution of the Pistol Pete logo
From Fuzzy Chaps Pete (1950s) to Smooth Chaps Pete (1980s) and White Shirt Muscle
Pete (2000s), Pete has undergone a captivating transformation, reflecting the spirit
of each era.
Explore more of Pistol Pete's story