Saturday, August 31, 2024
This past weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Tarleton State University and witnessing the unveiling of a 13.5 foot tall, 3,500-pound bronze manifestation of the Tarleton State mascot, the Texas Rider. This sculpture is a welcome addition to Memorial Stadium and was created by my friend and Granbury artist Mike Tabor.
Tabor styled the sculpture with a classic look. The rider sports a vintage haircut, neck rag, and hat creased in a 1950s style. His hat is held in one hand flung high in the air, and the face is serious, but not scowling. Clearly, the mascot looks like he “came to play.” Mike has been quoted with saying, “I hope people feel something special when they look at it. It was special for me, the first representation of the Tarleton Texan in human-like form; it’s very meaningful.”
Make no mistake, this was quite an unveiling. The event took place before the very first national telecast of a Tarleton football game and the dignitaries included Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, board of regents chairman Bill Mahomes, regents John Bellinger and Jay Graham, Dr. A Dwain, and David and Lynda Mayfield. The Mayfields and their Bar M Bar Ranch provided the funding for the artwork.
My friend and the president of Tarleton, Dr. James Hurley and his staff did an admirable job of keeping the overflow crowd in check and the program moving quickly in the 100-degree heat. There were alumni, students, faculty members, former “Texas Riders,” cheerleaders, and supporters of Tarleton in all shapes and sizes, all present to catch a glance of history.
What I enjoyed most about the activities was watching Mike’s family, especially his children and grandchildren. I have no way to estimate how many “selfies” will be taken of Mike’s statute over the next 100 years, but I venture few if any students or visitors will pass by without taking out their camera and capturing this magnificent piece of art and adding it to their memory book. How cool is it for the generations of Mike’s family to know he has sculpted his way to become an integral part of the very history of one of our great Texas universities. For an artist, it cannot get much better than that.
My wife taught school with Mike for several years — so many that she refers to him as her “work husband.” It is through their close relationship that I met Mike and his wife, Suzy, and have seen our friendship blossom. I was so pleased to see Mike receive the recognition he deserves, but at the same time maintaining his good natured, self-deprecating demeanor throughout the event. It was clear to everyone present that - to Mike - his work reflects upon the world in a way much greater than himself; it reflects all the good things about Tarleton University and what it stands for. What more could an artist hope to accomplish?
Congratulations to Tarleton University and to its alumni, students, and faculty! You now have a landmark that will forever stamp Tarleton onto the hearts of many. Good job, Mike! I am proud of you as I can be.
Thought for the day: The best thing about art is that the people who create it live forever.
Until next time...I will keep ridin’ the storm out!
