Texas State Strutters set to celebrate 60th anniversary

The Texas State Strutters will begin celebrating their 60th anniversary with a Meet the Strutters event at H-E-B. 

The Strutters will be giving away a free H-E-B Strutter reusable grocery bag at H-E-B at 641 E. Hopkins St. on Saturday from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. The current Texas State Strutters will be giving away 1,000 bags for free. The bag’s artist Jill Pankey, who was a Strutter and painted the artwork, will be at the store to sign the grocery bags.

During Texas State’s home-opening football game against Wyoming on Saturday, Sept. 7, six decades of Texas State Strutters will take the field for the pregame. Strutter alumnae and Strutter alumnae managers are coming from all over the state and even from as far away as Kansas, Colorado, California, Arkansas, Illinois and Washington. The Strutters are celebrating their 60 years of performing all styles of dancing, but are especially known for their high kicks and precision dance team style.

In 1960, Barbara Guinn Tidwell, who came to Texas State to get her masters and teach, was asked by Dr. Flowers, the University then known as Southwest Texas College president, to create a dance team to help keep the fans in the stands for the halftime at Bobcat games. Not only have the Strutters performed at all the home football games, but they've performed around the world in 26 countries and in many events such as three inaugural parades and many other parades including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades. Tidwell directed the Strutters for 37 years. The second director was Mrs. Susan Angell-Gonzalez who also choreographed the routines for 17 years. The current director is Mrs. Tammy Fife who is also taking the Strutters to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade this year. 

The Strutters Always Alumni Association is hostessing a Texas Chic Gala on Friday, Sept. 6 at the University Events Center. All Strutter alumnae and friends are invited to attend. Ticket sales will end Friday, Aug. 23. Please call or go online for $60.00 individual tickets. 

Tickets are available online.