The origin of Shasta dates back to 1927 when John R. Bender, a former head football coach of the Washington State Cougars came to Houston.

The next year, the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity raised funds to purchase a live cougar for the university, and held a contest to name it.

Although a current live mascot was adopted by the university through a partnership with the Houston Zoo, costumed students portraying Shasta & Sasha are still used for game appearances.[timeframe?]

Shasta V (1980–1989) was the last female cougar of the original continuous line to serve as a live mascot for the University of Houston.

After Shasta V, interim President George Magner ended the tradition of a live mascot at the university, until 2012.

After a search from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Shasta VI was rescued, and transported to the Houston Zoo on December 11, 2011.

When word was sent out that the Houston Zoo had the capacity to care for cougars, the Washington State Fish & Wildlife Services reached out.

From 1989 through 2012, the university chose not to purchase another live cougar, and Shasta only existed as a male costumed mascot, along with a female counterpart named Sasha.

[1] Another live mascot, Shasta VI was adopted in 2012 through a partnership with the Houston Zoo, but a costumed student is still used for game appearances.

The costumed Sasha mascot eventually began making appearances with Shasta, and now the two are seen at many University of Houston events.

Shasta, actually portrayed by the football player Matt Stolt for the Cougars, tackled the duck and walked away.

The duck answered by punching the Houston mascot in the face and then performing simulated lewd acts on top of the cougar.

The fight was captured by both amateur video and game cameras, and was subsequently posted on YouTube as well as being reported on by most major media organizations including ESPN.