How The Cowboys/Cowgirls Came Into Being

The nickname "Cowboys" was adopted by the Faculty Atheltic Committee and Student Council as the official name for the university's athletic teams in February 1930.

Prior to that time, the school's athletic teams were referred to as the "Tigers", but New Mexico Highlands University professor, accomplished writer of western tales, and noted alumnus S. Omar Barker launched a deliberate effort to have the team name changed to a mascot that was more representative of the area.  

"Cannot the university contrive to discover some team name that would have the pungency of local and Southwestern significance," Barker lamented adding, "Some name that would be unique."

The name was changed with the reply, "The choice of Cowboy was thought to be very appropriate since Las Vegas, New Mexico, is an ancient cattle country and the seat of the Cowboy Reunion."