Meet the woman behind Hook ‘Em, the Texas Longhorns mascot | The Girl Herd

Hook ‘Em has been rallying fans nationwide—but who’s behind the horns? Meet Grace Pohl, the woman who’s brought the Texas spirit to life for the past four years.

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Mascot Journey: Grace Pohl shares her origin story from Belton, Texas, and her transformation from a student into the University of Texas mascot, Hook ‘Em.

From Fashion Major to Mascot: A fashion design major, Grace initially offered costume repair help, but quickly embraced the role of mascot after a mentor encouraged her, making her a D1 athlete in a unique capacity.

Auditions and Unique Style: Her audition included sparkly high tops and TikToks, bringing a new, girly flair to Hook ‘Em. She successfully became the mascot and held the role for four years.

Influence on Mascot’s Appearance: Grace added style to the mascot’s outfits, including an all-black cowboy hat look inspired by a favorite player. She consistently pushed for fashionable upgrades for Hook’em.

Inside the Suit: Life in the suit was grueling with no ice packs or fans and extreme heat, but Grace maintained hygiene standards and even added cologne for a clean mascot image.

Training and Endurance: The physical demand was high. Grace ran marathons and followed strict fitness routines, enduring long game days and promotional events inside the hot suit.