Frost Bank donation gives jaX fresh look
If you’ve spotted jaX, the mascot for Texas A&M University-Victoria lately, you might have noticed he’s looking a little more camera-ready than usual.
A&M-Victoria’s mascot got a fresh look thanks to a donation from Frost Bank. The first look debuted just in time for jaX to make an appearance at the President’s Tailgate and the crowning of the Royal Jaguars during the university’s homecoming week in early April.
“We are grateful for Frost Bank’s generous donation to help the university purchase a new mascot costume,” A&M-Victoria President Christian Hardigree said. “Our mascot is a way to connect with students, alumni, and the broader community. This fur-makeover will ensure that jaX can put his best paw forward and keep Jaguar spirit prowling strong for years to come.”
Frost Bank has a mission to support Victoria, the future of Victoria and all those living in the community, said William Myers, market president at the Victoria branch. Because the university is a key part of the community and contributes to the community’s success, the bank has an interest in supporting A&M-Victoria.
“A&M-Victoria plays a key role in the future of Victoria, especially in terms of the current and future workforce and key leaders who have and will come through the university in the coming years,” Myers said. “The mascot is part of the public face of the university and can often make a connection with people who are considering enrolling at A&M-Victoria. When this need was brought to our attention, we were happy to help.”
Frost Bank is a Texas-based financial institution that started in 1868. The bank serves communities across the state, and each community brings something unique and wonderful that makes Texas the amazing state it is, Myers said. Since its founding, Frost Bank has been committed to a culture focused on strategic partnerships for the betterment of its communities.
“We’re committed to people, and that’s what makes everything work,” Myers said. “People mean something to each other. They rely on and support each other and help their communities grow. We’re all working toward a common goal, and we are happy to support A&M-Victoria’s growth in any way we can.”
Getting replacements for the mascot costume has been overdue for quite some time, said Freddie Cantu, Student Involvement director. The previous ones were purchased in 2012, but most universities replace theirs every five or six years.
“Our mascot attends about 100 events every year, so there’s a lot of wear and tear from having such an active mascot,” Cantu said. “He makes appearances at parades, nonprofit and fundraising events, Athletics games, high schools, recruiting events and more. These new costumes will help keep jaX looking good while he interacts with the community and future students. We can’t thank Frost Bank enough for their generosity.”
The students who wear the jaX costume have been learning how to maintain or “groom” jaX, and they are excited to go to events and represent the university, Cantu said.
Community organizations and others can request that jaX attend their events. To request jaX’s attendance at an event, contact Cantu at cantufe@tamuv.edu. If you see jaX out and about, feel free to come up and say hi.
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.