Service Photo Gallery

 “Give the Best You Have to Texas, and the Best Will Come Back to You.”

Texas Cowboys take their motto to heart.  Service has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys organization since their first arrived on campus in 1922.

Service for a Cowboy starts his first semester in the organization as Newman.  It is this semester that a Cowboy’s service hour requirement is highest at twenty hours, and the interactive nature of much of the service creates an avenue for bonds to begin forming that will last a lifetime.  Much of a Newman’s service involves working with Rosedale Elementary, an Austin primary school that focuses on special needs children.  At Rosedale, each Newman is assigned a separate classroom to work with.  Once a week, the Newmen spend time with their class to provide some much needed relief for the full-time teachers and help that work at Rosedale.  In addition to service at Rosedale, each Newman class is responsible for planning and seeing out a service project.  Examples of past Newman service projects include planning events for Special Olympics and YMCA of Austin.  After a Cowboy has completed the service requirement of his Newman semester, he will be ready to serve as an Oldman.

Service remains a high priority once a Cowboy becomes an Oldman.  As the official hosts of the University, Texas Cowboys are able to provide service in unique ways.  At the request of the administration, Texas Cowboys host University events over the course of the semester.  Examples include, new faculty receptions, President’s tailgates, President’s community development meetings, capital campaign events, and various other University of Texas ceremonies.. This past semester, the organization is also proud to have helped plan and host the 100th birthday party for President Lyndon Johnson on the lawn of the LBJ Library.  Oldmen escorted the elderly, helped emcee the event, greeted guests, and helped seat honorary guests.

Besides hosting events for the University, Texas Cowboys have the privilege of serving UT through the firing of "Smokey", the original University of Texas cannon.  Smokey, presented to the University in 1954 by the Texas Cowboys, attends all home football games and all out-of-town games with permission from the opposing team. The Cowboys fire the cannon as the Longhorns come on the field and following each Texas score.  Smokey also makes appearances at requested university sponsored events. The current cannon, Smokey III, stands six feet tall, is ten feet long and weighs more than 1,000 pounds.

In addition to serving as the official hosts of the University of Texas, Texas Cowboys are proud of their active involvement with the surrounding Greater Austin community. Although the Texas Cowboys work with a great variety of outside organizations,The Arc of the Capital Area is the focus of a significant piece of Cowboys service. Whenever The Arc needs volunteers to help with fundraising events, or general help, The Arc enlists the help of the Texas Cowboys. In addition, proceeds from Texas Cowboys’ fall concert Harvest Moon goes to The Arc. Outside of The Arc of the Capital Area, additional community organizations that The Cowboys work with include Eastside Community Connection, Ladybird Wildflower Center, NFL Alumni of Austin, and many, many more.

Service doesn’t stop for a Cowboy once he graduates from the University of Texas.  In fact, the organization is proud to have incredibly active alumni who continue to serve at the University, State, and National levels.  A few examples:

Dolph Briscoe - Former Texas Governor

Lloyd Bentsen - Former Secretary of the Treasury, Former United States Senator

Jack Blanton - Former Member, Board of Regents, University of Texas

Denton Cooley - Renowned Heart Surgeon

While camaraderie runs deep amongst Cowboys of all ages, our main focus as an organization is to serve The University and surrounding community in the best ways we know how.