<p>Im new on campus and I was wondering about the mens spirit groups on campus. So far the only two I know about are the cowboys and the iron spikes. Im interested in them but im not sure how to go about checking them out. Does anyone knows what the fees would be like too?</p>
<p>Here is my personal opinion on your question. I was a member of some of these groups, had friends in all of them, and know quite a bit about UT culture in this past decade.</p>
<p>The most prestigious men’s spirit groups are the Texas Cowboys and Silver Spurs. They have a lot of history at UT, strong alumni support, old money and wealth, and actual buildings/museums on campus (Texas Cowboy Paviliion/ Silver Spur Museum inside the stadium) Many of the members of both Cowboys and Spurs are also in IFC fraternities. Therefore, many of the big fraternities put up their popular, well-involved members each semester for these two organizations. I’m not sure about the Spurs but the Texas Cowboys also take diverse, independent men outside of the IFC fraternities who are very well involved, student leaders who are known on campus from other men’s groups and strong organizations like Longhorn Band, TEJAS Club, Student Government, Football. If the student government president is male, he tends to end up being a Cowboy over a Spur. Both Spurs and Cowboys definitely have that “super-frat” feel in their groups and you would have to be comfortable in that type of environment, but I would say that the men in these groups are the movers and shakers from both Greek and non-Greek social scenes on campus. Having access to that powerful network as an undergrad (social parties, prestige) and post-undergrad (networking) is very attractive. These groups have the social “Big Men on Campus!” reputation and have been that way for decades at UT Austin! If you want that access but are not in a top fraternity, start getting involved on campus in a lot of organizations and network, network, network!</p>
<p>Other men’s spirit groups/organizations like Iron Spikes, Texas Wranglers, Longhorn Hellraisers, TEJAS Club, Texas Blazers tend to be seen as “non-Greek” fraternities/men’s clubs. Many men in these groups were looking for a fraternity, but chose not to deal with social exclusivity that is prevalent in strong fraternities (didn’t come from the right zip codes, don’t like the “UT frat guy” thing, or couldn’t afford to be Greek) Iron Spikes and Wranglers tend to have more of a spirit emphasis, but many of the men are very athletic and they like having that built jock look in their groups for social capital. In the past (2001-2003ish), the Wranglers were accused of making their new members (Mavericks) go through grueling exercise routines and morning workouts, and they got into some trouble with hazing because of that and were suspended. They have only been back in recent years while Iron Spikes have been pretty consistent throughout this last decade. Many friends of mine were Spikes and were pretty involved on campus.</p>
<p>TEJAS Club, Texas Blazers mirror more of those “Ivy League” men’s clubs with their coffees and croquet! They tend to have more of that non-Greek, “refined” type of man, that is very active on campus, politically focused, success-driven. TEJAS club is definitely more established out of the two (since the 1930s) and have a nice house amidst the Greek system (26th/Rio Grande). Many TEJAS members are also “Big Men on Campus” and put up men for the Texas Cowboys. While top Greek fraternities may focus on social capital, zip code, your parents being Greek, where you come from, and Wranglers/Spikes may focus more on athleticism in their members, Blazers/TEJAS I would say put the most emphasis on campus/community involvement and strong reputations on campus to join. </p>
<p>Hellraisers, in my opinion, are true spirited men and all about being burnt orange, but in that “annoying, drunk fans at the stadium” fashion. They despise the social awareness of these other men’s groups and Greeks! Many of their men just yell, jump around, paint up, take their shirts off, dress in funny costumes and sometimes push the social,acceptable limits in their chants towards other fans from other schools, and party in their own social scene outside of the others. That is how they like it…to each their own! They end up on the Godzillatron/ Erwin jumbo screen all the time and Athletics caters to them at every athletic event because they are willing to be crazy and society/ESPN likes seeing that kind of fan at games and on TV! So there is a place for them on campus and within UT Athletics culture, but you will never see Cowboys/Spurs/TEJAS pick a Hellraiser to join their organizations! Two totally different worlds of men!</p>
<p>For any good non-Greek men’s group on campus, be prepared for an application, interview process with alumni and active members. I am not sure of the fees, but you should be able to find out on websites! Good luck! HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!</p>
<p>Would it be possible to be apart of a fraternity, and an organization like Wranglers or Iron Spikes?</p>
<p>From how it was when I was on campus… NO. Because groups like the Wranglers, Iron Spikes and Hellraisers are fraternal themselves, they do not allow men to double dip in the Greek system. However, they do allow men to be in other organizations, honors societies, professional groups, Student Government, etc. You would have to be Greek or in TEJAS, Spikes, Wranglers, Hellraisers.</p>
<p>I know for TEJAS, it is a yes, but I have not met a man who was in Spikes or Wranglers and also be selected to be a Silver Spur or a Texas Cowboy. I think that would be spiteful! LOL!</p>
The above comment is completely wrong… I know for a fact that Iron Spikes has several members that are Cowboys and several members that are Spurs currently at this moment. In fact, Iron Spikes has become so well established that they are seen a top tier org on campus. Come out and join.
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