SMU Mustangs Football Mascot

The SMU Mustangs football team represents Southern Methodist University (SMU) in University Park, Texas. Competing in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the Mustangs are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), as of Deccember 2024. The team plays its home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 32,000. The stadium is located in Dallas, Texas, and is owned by the SMU.

Founded in 1915, the Mustangs have a rich history that includes three claimed national titles (1935, 1981, 1982) and 12 conference titles which include 11 with Southwest Conference and 1 Conference title with American Athletic Conference.

Who is the SMU Mustangs mascot?

The mascot for the SMU Mustangs is Peruna, a Shetland pony. Peruna has been a symbol of SMU's spirit and pride since the 1930s, and there have been several ponies named Peruna over the years.

The SMU Mustangs Peruna History

The history of Peruna, the SMU Mustangs' mascot, began in 1932 with Peruna I, a four-year-old, 150-pound black Shetland pony donated by T.E. Jones. Peruna I made his debut at a pep rally before a game against Texas A&M. Sadly, on Halloween 1934, Peruna I escaped from his on-campus living quarters and was struck and killed by an automobile on Mockingbird Lane.

Since then, the tradition of Peruna has continued, with the Culwell family regularly donating Shetland ponies to serve as the mascot. Each Peruna has played a significant role in SMU's athletic events, leading the team onto the field and engaging with fans. Notably, Peruna VIII represented the school from 1997 until 2011. After retiring from the field, Peruna VIII continued to represent the school on The Boulevard, the tailgating area for football games, for one season.

The current Peruna, Peruna IX, has been the mascot since 2011, as of December 2024. Peruna's presence is an important part of SMU's football games, symbolizing the school's spirit and pride.

The SMU Mustangs Peruna Traditions

Peruna, the black Shetland pony, has played a vital role in SMU’s athletic and campus traditions, including:

• Game Day Presence: Peruna has been present at every SMU home football game since 1932, making appearances at four stadiums: the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium, Ownby Stadium, and Gerald J. Ford Stadium. During games, Peruna waits behind the Mustangs' end zone, ready to run across the field after touchdowns and at the end of each quarter and the first half.

• Peruna Plaza: Situated at the southern end of Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Peruna Plaza stands as a tribute to the former Perunas and holds their remains. A statue created by Michael G. Owen Jr., depicting a small horse with its head lowered, pays homage to Peruna I.

• Tradition and Continuity: While a member of the Southwest Conference, SMU ran Peruna across the field after every Mustang score. This tradition was modified when SMU joined the Western Athletic Conference in 1996, allowing Peruna to run only after each quarter.

• Accompanied by the Mustang Band: In the early days of the Mustang Band, Peruna was a constant companion, appearing on theater playbills as "the midget wonder horse," highlighting his widespread involvement in university activities.

• Student Involvement: Peruna has spent nights in every SMU Panhellenic sorority house and traveled with the Mustang Band to New York, where he was treated with special accommodations such as his cab, elevator, and hotel suite. Peruna also participates in the commencement of incoming freshmen and the graduation of seniors, symbolizing continuity and school spirit.