Peruna enjoys 70 years on Hilltop as mascot

Peruna, SMU’s mascot, will mark his 70th birthday during the 2002 season. Fifteen years after SMU became the Mustangs, they adopted Peruna, a miniature Shetland pony, as their live mascot.

Judith Banes, director of Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, said that Peruna made his first appearance at a pep rally in 1932. Since then, there have been eight Perunas. Out of the eight horses, one was a mare and the rest were stallions. All have been solid black except for one.

“Today, few schools still have live mascots but we have continued the tradition of Peruna for 70 years,” Banes said.

Every year many students try out for one of five positions as a Peruna Handler. They have the responsibility of caring for Peruna. They also run him up and down the football field during home games.

“Being one of Peruna’s Handlers is an honor and a very special job to the university,” said second-year law student and former handler, Andrew Novak.

Peruna VII retired in 1997 because of a broken leg and was replaced by Peruna VIII. Peruna VIII is 3 ft. tall and weighs 395 lbs.

Peruna VII passed away two weeks ago. His ashes were buried at the south end of Gerald J. Ford Stadium next to the ashes of Peruna VI.

A statue of Peruna, donated by the student senate, commemorates the lives of all the Peruna’s who have served SMU.