“jaX,” because Jaguars Are eXceptional, is the new name of the jaguar sculpture installed between the University Center and University West buildings on the University of Houston-Victoria campus.

Jan Wendt

The announcement was made at the UHV Jaguar “X”travaganza on Thursday at UHV. Jan Wendt, a coordinator for UHV athletics, was named the grand prize winner of the UHV Jaguar Naming Contest for her submission. She received a pair of season tickets to the Jaguars baseball and softball games, and Jaguars apparel.

“The process to select the name was a lot of fun,” UHV Athletics Director Ashley Walyuchow said. “Jan came up with a great name that we think will work well for marketing and eventually could be used when we have a student running around at games in a Jaguars costume.”

The university received about 250 suggestions from UHV employees and students, the community and local school children for names for the 250-pound, plate steel jaguar sculpture donated by Victoria artist Harold Nichols. UHV President Tim Hudson unveiled the sculpture and announced the Jaguar Naming Contest during an Aug. 25 ceremony at the university.

A committee made up of UHV faculty, staff and students reviewed the names and recommended “jaX” to Hudson.

Three other people also submitted the name “jax” as part of the contest but did not capitalize the “X.” They each received a UHV Jaguars T-shirt. They were Lisa Barr, senior business adviser at the UHV Small Business Development Center, and UHV students Courtney Pettit, who also is a first baseman for the Jaguars softball team, and Cody Sweat, who lives in Wharton and could not attend the event.

The UHV Jaguar “X”travaganza also featured a dance by the Memorial High School Drill team officers, refreshments and autographs by members of the Jaguars baseball and softball teams. Children who attended the event received a Jaguars autograph book and prizes.