College football mascot has eye removed in major health blow ahead of new season
Texas A&M's live border collie mascot, Reveille X (better known to Aggies fans as 'Miss Rev' or 'The First Lady of Aggieland') had to get her right eye surgically removed.
She had been diagnosed with glaucoma by her veterinarians after experiencing discomfort and cloudiness in her right eye.
In a message on the school's website, president Mark Welsh III said the eye needed to be removed out of an abundance of caution after discovering signs of abnormal tissue.
'I'm grateful to report that Miss Rev has come through the surgery successfully, has been discharged and is resting comfortably,' Welsh said.
Glaucoma does not appear to be typically common among border collies, however, the breed is prone to visual diseases such as Collie Eye Anomaly.
Texas A&M's use of the Reveille mascot dates back to 1931, when the school still had in place a requirement that students join the Corps of Cadets - in line with its status as a senior military college in the United States.
A group of cadets in the 'Fightin' Texas Aggie Band' were coming back from a party when they hit a small stray mutt and then snuck it onto campus.
The dog barked when buglers in College Station blew for morning reveille, leading cadets to give the dog the 'Reveille' name. Despite pets being banned from the dorms, cadets fell in love with the animal and kept her anyway.
Reveille X took over as the new mascot in 2021. A souped-up golf cart known as 'Rev Force One' helps transport the collie across campus.
Other traditions at Texas A&M include all freshman being required to address her as 'Miss Rev, ma'am'. If she's in a class and she barks, the class is cancelled. The pooch is also the highest-ranking member of the Aggies' Corps of Cadets.
Welsh said Reveille will take a brief hiatus from engagements as she recovers.
'According to her veterinary team, we can expect Miss Rev to be back to enjoying all her favorite activities -- cruising on Rev Force One, attending classes, cheering on the Aggies and keeping our campus squirrels in line -- this fall,' he said.
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