During the April 21 Student Government meeting, Student Affairs unveiled the conceptual design for UTD’s newest sculpture — depicting none other than Temoc.
The roughly 1,000 pound seven foot bronze sculpture will go up outside of the entrance to the new Student Union and Student Success Center complex, whose construction is set to end next October with an estimated opening, according to Student Affairs, in spring 2027.
Over the past two years, alumni have raised a total of $6,231 to fund the creation of this sculpture. During Comet’s Giving Day 2025, 13 alumni donated $6,181 for this project. During Comet’s Giving Day 2026, one alumni donated $50 for this project.
The life-size bronze Temoc sculpture will sit on top of a concrete bench. Rickey Crum, the award-winning designer and artist behind Haptic Workshop, said that the university has asked him to pause interviews and discussions regarding the sculpture at this time.
Vice president of Student Affairs Gene Fitch said his office had been working on this project for some time now and was working on the final touches before Temoc was ready to come to campus in his new bronze form.
“This [statue] is something we really wanted to show you,” Fitch said during the SG meeting. “Don’t pay attention to the fingers because there’s one too many, so we’re, we’re adjusting that and the artist will fix that.”
The current statue design has five fingers while Temoc’s official costume only has four .
The immediate student reaction to the unveiling was mixed. Business administration junior Arousha Ghaznavi did not hold back.
“I hate it,” Ghaznavi said. “Not only do I not agree with the current mascot design, which I think should be totally redesigned, I also don’t think this is what $6,000 should be going to. I wish we had more say in this process.”
Others took a more long-term view of how the statue’s presence would impact the campus. Political science junior Jackson Logue focused on the broader implications it would have on the university’s image in the minds of prospective students.
I think the statue certainly speaks for itself.
— Jackson Logue, political science junior
“I think the statue certainly speaks for itself,” Logue said. “People will definitely see it on tours.”
Some students found the unconventional mascot’s unconventional statue charming.
“I like it, he seems fun,” animation and games senior Lex Laviolette said.
Other students felt the statue still needed improvement.
“Looking at it, it’s not fantastic,” political science junior Hassan Alfarhan said. “Could be better.”
The university has not yet announced a final design or an official installation date. With construction on the SU/SSC complex expected to wrap up next fall with a tentative spring opening, students can expect the debut of bronze Temoc sometime in 2027.
