No more changes for Rebel mascot


The mustachioed mascot at Hays High School looks like he’s hopping mad.

col jack hays rebel mascot
Illustration by Hays Free Press

If so, he’s got his reasons. First, “Colonel Jack” lost his belt buckle bearing the Stars and Bars. Then the carpetbaggers commandeered his pistols, replacing
them with a couple of harmless flags.

At least no one’s tried to strip him of his uniform. Might there be a pair of long johns beneath those Confederate grays?

In the past few weeks, a rebel yell has been raised to protect Colonel Jack from any further insult. Hays High School alumni and athletic supporters are coming together to save their mascot from the dustbin of history, much like the fate of actual Rebels who fought during the Civil War.

“Don’t take the rebel away!” implores one Facebook group, which boasts more than 100 members.

But those sympathizers are just whistling Dixie, according to Hays High School Principal David Pierce.

“It’s all rumor,” he said. “It’s all false. I have not tried to change any mascot, nor have I wanted to change the mascot.”

It’s not even up for discussion, Pierce added.

“There’s not been anyone that’s approached me about it,” he said. “I’m sure there’s people out there that don’t like it. Really, that could be said for a lot of mascots.”

The mascot has been around almost as long as football coach Bob Shelton, who retired after the end of last season. Shelton had coached at Hays since it opened in 1968, and at Buda High School four years before that.

“As far as I know, people will take that mascot, and different organizations will do different things with it,” Shelton said. “The ones we use for athletics, I think he still has guns in his hands.”

People have argued that Confederate imagery, including the rebel, is a painful reminder of slavery. At the collegiate level, the University of Mississippi’s mascot, Colonel Reb, was retired in 2003. Last year, Ole Miss replaced him with an anthropomorphic black bear.

About 10 high schools around Texas boast Rebel mascots.

The original Colonel Jack, though, was no rebel. Jack C. Hays, the namesake of Hays High School and Hays County, was a former Texas Ranger who lived in California during the Civil War.

During the fighting, he remained neutral.

Published Feb. 17, 2011, in the Hays Free Press.


9,447 responses to “No more changes for Rebel mascot”

  1. Passive fireplace protection measures such as firestops, fireplace walls, and hearth doors, are tested to determine the fireplace-resistance ranking of the final assembly, which is usually expressed by way of hours of fire resistance (e.g., ?, ¾, 1, 1½, 2, 3, four hour).

  2. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I?l definitely return.

  3. Usually I do not read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice article.

  4. My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  5. This doesn’t present motion precisely as it appeared when the movie was projected (pans aren’t as fluid, for example), however the film is not sped up in any respect and the soundtrack is not affected.

  6. Indoor Decor – A standard wedding ceremony stylistic theme for an indoor wedding ceremony function will include entrance stylistic theme, stage style, mandap style, and a few decorators could likewise embody focal level.

  7. Zeljko Ivic alegou que o Banco BTG Pactual SA, o presidente e CEO Esteves e Huw Jenkins, um sócio-gerente, fizeram deturpações fraudulentas para que ele assinasse acordos com o banco de investimentos, conforme uma ação judicial apresentada perante o Supremo Tribunal de Hong Kong.

  8. Not only is it an inexpensive way to update your wardrobe, however thrift buying also allows you to precise your individuality by means of finances-friendly gothic vogue.

  9. For example, the Disney Institute, an intensive skilled workshop designed to educate individuals on the business methods that have helped deliver Disney success, devotes portions of its Internet site to sharing success stories of how graduates from the program have benefited by way of participation.

  10. In in the present day’s companies it is simple to solely bond with the folks sitting beside you or in your specific department, bringing in regards to the widespread rifts between accountants and salespersons or buyer services and middle management.

  11. Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up amazing. Excellent job!

  12. I just could not leave your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply to your visitors? Is gonna be again steadily in order to check up on new posts.

  13. Simply wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is just nice and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

  14. Somebody essentially help to make significantly articles I’d state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I surprised with the research you made to make this actual post incredible. Fantastic job!

  15. Caution is that in case of a sell trade, if we failed to buy the same stock in same amount, the exchange will buy the stocks at available rates from open market and deliver it to the buyer.

  16. When pushing a cart, ASIMO’s pressure sensors assist the robotic to regulate the quantity of drive wanted to push the cart (for example, ASIMO can push a cart with extra drive if the sensors detect an incline).

  17. Whether or not you are looking for non-public dining in Central London or one thing slightly extra casual, there are a number of locations you’ll be able to take a look at and it certainly will not disappoint you.

  18. Somewhere round this time, suspension revisions pulled all Thunderbirds nearer to the bottom, while two-door models only garnered stiffer springs, bigger-diameter shocks, and a fatter anti-roll bar.

  19. If you want to go for the straightforward walk to the Cradle Mountain and surroundings, you can benefit from the trip simply and select the tour of various duration decisions.

  20. But if the individual is unable to offer consent, akin to an unconscious drowning victim, as an illustration, it is safe to assume consent for all times-saving measures has been implied.

  21. Nonprofit organizations need seasoned executives and managers who’re prepared to use their leadership talents to serve society somewhat than just sell it one thing.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *