1. Sam Houston has competed as an independent (1912-23), in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1932-1981), NCAA Division II (1982-1985), in the Southland Conference of NCAA Division I FCS (1986-2021) and with the Western Athletic Conference in 2022, joining Conference USA as an FBS school beginning in 2023.

2. The Bearkats have won 15 conference championships and have have postseason NCAA playoff action in 13 seasons, with back-to-back NCAA FCS title game appearances in 2011-12. SHSU won national titles in 1964 (NAIA) and 2020 (FCS).

3. Sam Houston’s rivals are Stephen F. Austin (Battle of the Piney Woods) and Texas State.

4. The school has been nicknamed the Bearkats since 1923 when the it formal name was changed by the Texas State Legislature from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College. Bearkats is a nod to a carnivorous mammal native to South American called a “kinkajou.” A kinkajou is 10-12 inches in length with whiskers like a cat that sits up on its hind haunches like a bear. It is nocturnal and considered to be ferocious if provoked.

5. The March 2 to the Grave, which celebrates the life and birthday of General Sam Houston, is the oldest SHSU tradition, dating back to 1893. On March 2 every year, faculty, staff, alumni and the Huntsville community marsh from campus to Oakwood Cemetery for a ceremony at Sam Houston’s grave with various dignitaries speaking in his remembrance.