Portraying Pete

People come and go. Buildings rise and fall. Trends cycle in and out of style. But one thing at NMSU has remained virtually unchanged for the better part of a century.

His name is Pistol Pete.

A Peter Pan-like character who never ages and sports a signature handlebar mustache, Pete made his debut as NMSU’s mascot in the 1950s, modeled after the fabled Western figure Frank Eaton. Pete is so closely tied to NMSU’s identity that he sometimes eclipses pioneers like Hiram Hadley and Fabián García as the most recognizable face of NMSU.

Many have debated Pete’s merits, but it’s clear he has the staying power to stand the test of time. Much like his namesake Eaton, who bested many a foe over his lifetime, Pete has survived, even thrived, amid the controversies that have followed him.

Pete owes much of his legacy to the affable men who have brought him to life. Only a small group of students have earned the honor – and the chaps – to call themselves Pete.

“That’s a pretty special place to be among,” says Nick Wiegel ’09, who played Pete during his sophomore year at NMSU.

Unlike other Petes, Wiegel didn’t go through the requisite audition process before the NMSU cheer squad. In 2005, NMSU introduced Lasso Larry as its new mascot in a move that didn’t sit well with many. Larry’s reign, however, didn’t last long, and Pete, as he so often does, made a triumphant comeback.

“I had been approached and asked if I’d be interested in doing it,” Wiegel says, “and I thought, well, what the heck? It was brand new to me when I did it.”

It’s no small task being Pete. He makes about 100 public appearances each year, frequently travels for high-profile sporting events, and competes at national competitions with the cheer team. In July 2025, Pistol Pete was named Best All-Around Mascot at the NCA Collegiate Cheer Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Students portraying Pete receive an annual scholarship as compensation for their time. In fall 2025, the NMSU Foundation launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $10,000 to help cover the cost of Pete’s attire and travel expenses. “Complete the Pete” runs through Dec. 31.

“Depending on financial aid and scholarship situations, the Pistol Pete scholarship has directly gone to financially support us Petes outside of the classroom,” says Trevor Rawdon ’24, a current Pete.

Juggling finances with daily school and Pete responsibilities is a balancing act for students, says John Roberts ’18, who played Pete for three years. So is tapping into the mindset of an old Western cowboy-turned-mascot-turned-halftime-performer.

“We have to be comfortable working crowds at games and interacting one-on-one with many different people,” Roberts says, “so it requires a personality that works in both situations.”

Roberts was the first Pete in many years to grow out his mustache for the role. It sparked what Roberts proudly calls the real mustache trend. Sure enough, every Pete since has followed suit. Not that having facial hair makes for a better or more authentic Pete.

“It’s all about making sure everyone is having fun,” Roberts says.

But there are challenging moments, and Pete must rise to the occasion.

“Regardless of the score, you’re still expected to have a big smile on your face,” Wiegel says.

Rawdon says the good times far outweigh those awkward moments. When his tenure ends in spring 2026, he will have portrayed NMSU’s mascot for about four and a half years, a testament to the joy Pete brought into his life.

“It’s a thrill being in the limelight,” Rawdon says. “It’s been a great tenure, helping bring up the Aggie spirit and energizing crowd after crowd. It’s made my time at NMSU so much more fun and memorable.”

To donate to the “Complete the Pete” campaign, visit nmsu.link/pete.