Cowboys

A traditional cowboy

The nickname "Cowboys" was applied to Wyoming athletic teams as early as 1891 - two years before the first official football game. The story is that the Wyoming pick-up football team appealed to a 220 pound cowpuncher, Fred Bush, for help in a game against the Cheyenne Soldiers. Bush signed up for a course or two and came out for the team. When he trotted onto the field decked out in a checkered shirt and Cowboy hat, someone yelled, "Hey, look at the Cowboy!" Since many of the members of the team were also ex-cowboys, the name stuck.