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.


17,744 responses to “No more changes for Rebel mascot”

  1. I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own website now 😉

  2. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.|

  3. Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover somebody that genuinely knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you are not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.|

  4. Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity on your put up is simply cool and that i can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to snatch your RSS feed to keep up to date with imminent post. Thank you one million and please continue the rewarding work.|

  5. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d certainly appreciate it.|

  6. I am curious to find out what blog platform you are working with? I’m having some small security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?|

  7. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal site now ;)|

  8. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I have really loved browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write once more very soon!|

  9. Hello! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work!|

  10. Excellent way of describing, and pleasant paragraph to get data about my presentation subject matter, which i am going to convey in college.|

  11. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!|

  12. I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.|

  13. hi!,I love your writing so so much! share we keep in touch extra approximately your article on AOL? I require a specialist on this space to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you. |

  14. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I have truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I’m hoping you write again very soon!|

  15. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.|

  16. Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks|

  17. What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant paragraph.|

  18. Everything is very open with a really clear description of the issues. It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing!|

  19. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?|

  20. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.|

  21. My brother suggested I would possibly like this website. He used to be entirely right. This put up actually made my day. You can not imagine just how so much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!|

  22. I like the valuable information you provide on your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am somewhat sure I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!|

  23. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!|

  24. Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, for the reason that i want enjoyment, since this this site conations actually pleasant funny information too.|

  25. Hi every one, here every person is sharing these familiarity, thus it’s fastidious to read this web site, and I used to go to see this webpage all the time.|

  26. I am really loving the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A handful of my blog readers have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?|

  27. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. All the best|

Leave a Reply to visit Cancel reply

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