 "Comets" was one of the top 3 most popular options selected by the student body and it was ultimately selected by the special committee to be officially adopted as the athletic name.While the exact origins behind the "Comets" mascot name is unknown, "The Mercury" published that it was influenced by "[university] activities accented heavily by space research".UT Dallas' involvement with space research was largely supported by the first UTD President, Dr. Francis "Frank" Johnson.