The History of the Texas Cowboys

1922: The University of Texas found itself in need of a men's service organization.  Two men, Arno Nowotny, then head cheerleader, and Bill McGill, president of the Longhorn Band, began working together to recruit dedicated men who could not only lead but who could also serve.  Forty men from all aspects of campus life were chosen by McGill and Nowotny to be the first Texas Cowboys.  The Texas Cowboys quickly establish themselves as The University's premier service organization.

1954: The Texas Cowboys begin their involvement with the Austin Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).  Over the past 50 years The Cowboys have contributed with their time and over $250,000.

Also that year "Smokey", the original UT cannon, is presented to The University by The Texas Cowboys.

1963: The Cowboys fire Smokey during the Austin Ceremony after the death of President John F. Kennedy.  On the Monday following the assassination, Smokey fired a 21 gun salute to the fallen President.  It was the climactic moment in a public Ceremony in front of The State Capitol.

Additionally, during the 1963 Texas Longhorns Football Season, Smokey, the restored model now located at the Cowboys Pavilion, was fired by the Cowboys for 10 of the Horns' 11 home-and-away games, including the January 1, 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Navy, as The University of Texas captured its first National Football Championship.

1968:  Smokey II is created and serves The University well until 1988.

1989:  Smokey III, a civil war replica cannon standing six feet tall and weighing 1,000 pounds, is constructed and is currently in service.

1995:  The Texas Cowboys Alumni Association is created.

2004:  The Texas Cowboys Alumni Association, in conjunction with the Texas Exes, construct the only structure on The University of Texas campus named after a student organization - The Texas Cowboys Pavilion.