TEXASPIG
Hook 'em from the tailgate. A legendary UT Austin tailgate tradition since the early days.
The LegendaryTailgate Bus
The Texas Pig is more than just a tailgate — it's a tradition. For years, our converted bus has been the gathering place for Longhorn fans before every home game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.
The Pig fires up hours before kickoff, bringing together friends, family, and fellow burnt-orange faithful for food, drinks, and the kind of gameday atmosphere that makes UT football special.
As featured in the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Pig has become one of the most recognized tailgates on campus. Whether you're a season-ticket holder or a first-time visitor, you're always welcome at the Pig Pen.
20+
Years
100+
Games
1000s
Fans Fed
The History of Pig
By Jim Nicar — January 5, 2009
While a longhorn steer called Bevo has been a symbol of UT athletics for over eighty years, the University's first mascot was a scrappy tan and white dog named Pig Bellmont.
Born in Houston on February 10, 1914, Pig was a seven-week old puppy when he was brought to Austin by L. Theo Bellmont, a co-founder of the Southwest Athletic Conference and UT's first Athletic Director. An adventurous pooch, the dog didn't want to remain confined to the Bellmont's backyard, and followed his owner to work on the Forty Acres.
The campus was full of attentive students, squirrels to chase, fields of bluebonnets, and plenty of trees. It wasn't long before Pig was adopted by the University community, and for the next nine years roamed the campus as the 'Varsity Mascot.
“It was said he would snarl at the slightest mention of Texas A&M.
Pig was named for Gus “Pig” Dittmar, who played center for the football team. Gus, an honors history major, was known to slip through the defensive line “like a greased pig.” During a game in 1914, the athlete and the dog stood next to each other on the sidelines. The students noticed, of all things, that both were bowlegged, and from that observation the dog had a namesake.
“Ten-shun!” Pig (on the hill to the right) inspects UT students who enlisted in the army during World War I.
During World War I, Pig looked after the cadets of the School of Military Aeronautics, housed on what is now called the Little Campus. The school, dubbed the “West Point of the Air,” was a precursor to the Air Force Academy. At the conclusion of each course, Pig was always included in the class graduation photo, and twice took the train ride to Dallas. He never missed a hike, and was always present for inspection.
On New Year's Day, 1923, Pig Bellmont was accidentally hit by a Model T at the corner of 24th and Guadalupe Streets. He was only injured, but no one realized how seriously until his body was found a few days later. Pig's death was a tragic event on the campus, and the students decided to pay a final, fitting tribute to their beloved canine friend.
January 5, 1923: A funeral procession for Pig Bellmont on Guadalupe Street.
For about two hours on the afternoon of Friday, January 5th, Pig's body lay in state in front of the University Co-op on Guadalupe Street. More than a thousand doffed their hats and filed by Pig's black casket, which was draped with orange and white ribbon. Led by the 'Varsity Band, the mourners marched south on Guadalupe. Pig's pallbearers were members of a new student group called the Texas Cowboys.
A crowd gathers for Pig's funeral.
Dean Thomas Taylor delivers the eulogy.
”“Let no spirit of levity dominate this occasion. A landmark has passed away.”
“I do not know if there is a haven of rest to which good dogs go, but I know Pig will take his place by the side of the great dogs of the earth.”
Pig's Dead . . . Dog Gone.
His epitaph, left by the students of UT Austin
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Pig Bellmont
UT's first mascot
The 'Varsity Mascot
Nine years on the Forty Acres