Episode 62: Frank Eaton

If you’re a student or alum of Oklahoma State University, or have lived in Oklahoma, then there’s a good chance you’re familiar with Pistol Pete, the official mascot of OSU. He can be found at sporting events, on OSU merchandise, and can even be found at birthday parties. He is one of the more unusual mascots to see as his uniform is just a person wearing a typical cowboy outfit with a 40 pound fiberglass head placed on their shoulders. 

Pete also has a revolver and shotgun, loaded with blanks. Pete will shoot these guns at games and is only permitted to fire his gun during an OSU Athletic event. But what do you know about the man that inspired the Pistol Pete that we know today, Frank Eaton. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we’re exploring the life of Frank Eaton and how he became the face of OSU. We’ll hear from friends of Frank Eaton, former Pistol Petes, and from Frank Eaton himself. We also talk with David Peters, head of the OSU Archives, about the legacy of Frank Eaton at OSU.