horse during the football games (this tradition was discontinued due to the renovated stadium), and wears purple chaps. The Texan Rider has been the mascot of Tarleton since 1961 when the student body chose the Texans and TexAnns to represent its athletic teams. Silver Taps Silver Taps, a ceremony held to honor Tarleton's faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have died over the past year, is held in the spring during Founder's Week. Homecoming During the 1980s, the Student Government Association added the Yell Contest to Homecoming Week. Student organizations perform step and dance moves to original chants and lyrics; a panel of judges selects the top two teams. The winning team has the honor of beating the drum immediately following the Plowboys. Special awards John Tarleton Spirit Award The John Tarleton Spirit Award originated in 1988, and is given to up to 12 students annually at the Leadership and Service Awards Banquet. Recipients are chosen based on campus involvement through organizations, special projects, and activities that contribute to the overall growth of the individual. Notable people Alumni Chris Adams, retired US Air Force Major General Ryan Bingham, singer/songwriter, Grammy Award and 2010 Academy Award winner Ben Barnes, former Lieutenant Governor of Texas (1969–1973) and Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives (1965–1969) Richard Bartel, NFL quarterback Philip Montgomery, current head football coach at the University of Tulsa DeWayne Burns (class of 1994), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Johnson and Bosque counties since 2015 James Dearth, NFL tight end William E. Dyess, survivor of Bataan Death March during World War II Chad Fox, MLB player J. W. Fritz, the head of the police investigation of the murder of president John F. Kennedy Steve Fryar, professional steer wrestler Bob Glasgow, Democratic Texas State Senator Rick Hardcastle, Republican former member of Texas House of Representatives from Wilbarger County Millie Hughes-Fulford, chemist and astronaut Jim Johnson, college athletics director Rufus Johnson, NFL linebacker selected in sixth round (pick 183) of 2013 NFL Draft George Kennedy, actor Chris Kyle, U.S. Navy Seal Stacey McGill, program director, Trace Systems Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner and former member of Texas House of Representatives Mike Moncrief, member of Texas House of Representatives, judge, former mayor of Fort Worth Hal Mumme, college football coach Derrick Ross, former NFL football player James Earl Rudder, U.S. Army Major General and World War II veteran, former Chancellor of