Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s fight song ¬— the longtime mantra of the university’s athletic triumphs known for its vigorous brass melodies and drumline cadences — will now be accompanied by expanded university-sanctioned lyrics.
After a nearly yearlong development and approval period, the lyrics passed legislation by the Student Government Association in April 2022 and were approved by interim president Dr. Steve Westbrook the following month. The new lyrics were rolled out to students during summer Lumberjack Orientation and Jack Camp sessions.
The idea to implement fight song lyrics came from T.J. Maple, coordinator of SFA’s Cheer and Dance Teams. Maple, who has guided SFA spirit teams to 16 national championships in the past 17 years, said it was hearing competitors from other schools sing along to their fight songs at sporting events and competitions that spurred the idea.
“After years of attending numerous sporting events and cheer and dance nationals where other schools were singing to their fight songs, I felt that this could help to unite us as Lumberjacks,” Maple said.
Maple wrote the first draft with his assistant coaches while on a break during the 2021 national competition in Daytona Beach, Florida.
SFA’s fight song was originally developed by a faculty member in the 1940s who adapted the song from a trio to the march, “Pride of the Illini.” Before the newly implemented lyrics, the only spoken words were a chorus — or more aptly, a battle cry — that echoed across packed coliseums and stadiums during a drum cadence:
“Go! Jacks! Go!
Fight! Jacks! Fight!
Win! Jacks! Win!
S-F-A-S-U!”
Following a meticulous writing process, Maple suggested revitalized and refreshed lyrics to a few university administrators, and an SFA Fight Song Lyrics Committee was established. The committee reviewed the background of the proposed lyrics and the process for adopting them. Music faculty members and AXEperience student leaders further refined the words.
Members of the committee included chair Dr. Hollie Smith, executive director of Student Life; Maple; Graham Garner, SFA chief marketing communications officer; Brandi Bryant, associate athletic director of student athlete services; Craig Turnage, Alumni Association executive director; and Chris Kaatz, assistant director of the Lumberjack Marching Band.
The proposed lyrics were presented to many student organizations and groups, including student-athletes, SGA, the student leader advisory board, AXEperience, the Student Activities Association, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Office of Multicultural Affairs ambassadors, and the marching band. The lyrics were met with overwhelming approval.
According to Smith and Maple, much like the poetic nature of the SFA school song, the lyrics are intended to convey the Lumberjack spirit, the school colors, the beloved mascot, the alma mater and historic Nacogdoches:
“From the oldest town in Texas
Where the Lumberjacks chop through the pines
From the oldest town in Texas
Where we fight for the purple and white
From the oldest town in Texas
Where the purple lights shine bright for vict’ry
We fight for our honor and praise our alma mater
Hail dear ol’ S-F-A!
Go! Jacks! Go!
Fight! Jacks! Fight!
Win! Jacks! Win!
S-F-A-S-U!
From the oldest town in Texas
Where the purple lights shine bright for vict’ry
We fight for our honor and praise our alma mater
J-A-C-K-S,
Goooooooo Jacks!”
“Each line in the fight song embodies something about SFA ¬— our colors, mascot, town, purple lights and victory — which all showcase our already rich traditions,” Maple said. “My favorite line, ‘From the oldest town in Texas, where the Lumberjacks chop through the pines,’ embodies who we are and where we come from no matter what we do for SFA.”