SuperFrog

In all of sports, there's only one Horned Frog.

Ever wonder how SuperFrog came about? The story of SuperFrog is actually a curious one. It reaches back to 1897, when TCU students and school officials adopted the title for the student yearbook—Horned Frog—and the lizard was soon embraced as the school mascot.

Fact: the Horned Frog has been the mascot longer than TCU has been the university's name.

Although the students loved the Frog, they persisted on a mascot that could actually participate in half-time activities during football games. Their persistence paid off and the original mascot, a six-foot tall purple creature known as Addy the Fighting Frog made its debut at the opening game of the 1949 football season. Addy the Fighting Frog was named after Addison Clark, Jr., who promoted intercollegiate athletics during the early years of the university. In 1949, TCU student Jimmy Paschal justified the need for an official mascot costume: "While horned frogs as such are fairly plentiful, we'd look somewhat silly dragging one around on a string." According to The Daily Skiff, the new costume for Addy the Fighting Frog included a papier-maché head complete with horns, scales and ridges with space inside for a human being.

In 1979, TCU athletic promotions director John Grace wanted a mascot that would help create a fun atmosphere at sporting events and a mascot the fans would "laugh with" while being entertained, instead of being "laughed at." SuperFrog became the official mascot in 1979 after 30 years as Addy the Fighting Frog. SuperFrog was part of a campaign to promote "Frog Fever" on campus and in the surrounding community. The Daily Skiff reported "Frog Fever" transformed TCU's mascot from a "mild-mannered cardboard box to the new SuperFrog that looks like a cross between a TCU linebacker and the monster in the movie Alien—tough and intimidating."

In 1999, SuperFrog received another image makeover. The costume sported a more muscular physique and new clothes with numerous foam horns. The formally droopy eyes were replaced with a more focused look. The air-conditioned vest was also a welcomed addition for students inside the suit.

A tradition at TCU, SuperFrog leads the Horned Frog football team onto the field at Amon G. Carter Stadium before each opening kickoff, working the crowd into a frenzy, and hops into the stands to take photographs with fans.

SuperFrog is very popular and a fan favorite at all TCU athletic events. In fact, SuperFrog is so popular he was once recognized by ESPN as the nation's number-one mascot.

Everyone is SuperFrog's friend!

Volume 25, no. 2

CONTENTS

In all of sports, there's only one Horned Frog.