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CRAFTING PETE for t he Web
The evolution of the Pistol Pete logo from the 1950s until the present.
knowledge of Eaton’ s history and ability to embody the cowboy spirit,” the website reads.
“ The Pistol Pete organization is probably one of the best organizations I know of, period,” Wise said.“ Every single one of them is a good person, every single one of them will help you with anything at all.” The Pistol Petes show up at every Eaton family reunion each year and also attend other events, he said.
“ The most important thing is that we’ re connecting it back to a real person who exemplifies the actual history of this part of the country and the history and an important piece of the history of American cowboys, western heritage,” Lance Millis, a former Pistol Pete, told the university.“ Frank Eaton, the law man, the grandfather, the blacksmith... he’ s this guy that we’ re portraying. We’ re not just a fuzzy mascot on the side of a field that cheers when we score a touchdown. This is representing a man who is part of the history of Oklahoma.”
Find out more about Eaton’ s life by reading“ Pistol Pete, Veteran of the Old West”( available online), by visiting the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza in Perkins or at frankeatonlegacy. org, the Frank“ Pistol Pete” Eaton Legacy
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Foundation.
STORY BY: JESSICA MARSHALL Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine PHOTOS PROVIDED
– The illustration of the cowboy with the fuzzy chaps was designed by an advertising firm in Des Moines, Iowa, in the 1950s, according to Clay Billman, OSU publications coordinator. In the early 80s, Pete’ s fuzzy chaps became smooth leather, likely to match the look of the sideline persona.
– Over the decades, Pete was a popular subject for artists of various styles to depict on game day programs, media guides, yearbooks, the O’ Colly and more. They weren’ t official logos for the university or athletics, but fun depictions in the style of the times.
– Billman was working at OSU when the 2000- 01 version was given a refresh. Graphic artist Matt Gambrell, also an illustrator and cartoonist, was at Chris’ University Spirit at the time, and updated the Pete as vector art for use in print and apparel. Licensing Director Judy Barnard, along with Natalea Watkins of the Public Information Office( now called Brand Management) and Kerry O’ Keefe in Athletics Marketing were all involved in a rebrand for the OSU Athletics marks at the time. The result was the two-toned orange beveled family of logos. It was thought that Pete needed to be cleaned up a bit for better scalability, as well.
“ You’ ll notice he lost the busy checkered shirt pattern and his arms got a little more muscular,” Billman said.“ We like to say Pete had a little makeover.”
OSU also developed a more consistent version with just his head and forward-facing bandana, where previous versions were either a floating head by itself or with a backwards bandana. The forward look matched the full-body Pete, but also provided a mark that was less complicated than the full body with gun belt, bullets, etc. A short time later, OSU tweaked the pupils on his eyes so it appears he’ s looking at you instead of off in the distance.
“ I think Pete’ s popularity comes from a combination of real tradition – it’ s not just a made-up image, it’ s got a local connection,” Billman said.“ Plus, there’ s personality in the illustration. Pete has authenticity mixed with some whimsy.
“ OSU has a winning tradition in a lot of sports over its history, and Pete embodies a toughness and spirit that if you do things right and work hard, you’ ll succeed. He’ s a lawman, so justice is important – along with honesty, integrity and grit.”
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