Duke and Brandy have long been the two mascots for Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Duke was a Brindle American Bulldog and born in the early 1920s.
“He was a gift from Constable Pearl Bennet to Southwestern President J.W. Turner who led the university from 1923-27,” SWOSU Director of Institutional Advancement Garrett King said.
Duke was the first mascot for SWOSU and said to have held that position for years.
“He killed other dogs who came to his hilltop, in fact there are multiple records of this,” King said.
He lost an ear in one of his many fights with other dogs. Duke fought animals other than dogs and lost most of his teeth fighting a cow.
After Turner left SWOSU, Duke went to live with Coach Joe Milam and not long after lived in downtown Weatherford with Jimmy Hughes until his death.
Master Brandi Snifter was an English bulldog. Brandi belonged to Ted Linville after originally belonging to Dr. Dave Royce.
“The student senate funded Brandi’s food and medicine,” King said.
Brandi was noticed all across campus, along the hilltop or in classrooms. Brandi led out the football team at home games. Brandi died in August 1972.