Spurs Jackals host heroes, villains and other out-of-this-world characters for auditions
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Surrounded by costumed Spurs fans, a demonic nun in a camouflage Victor Wembanyama jersey prayed for one thing: to raise hell alongside them as a new member of the Spurs Jackals, the team's official congregation of home-court howlers.
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"I've really been a fan," said Jessica Vela, aka Jessica the Nun, a San Antonio spin on the unholy holy lady from "The Conjuring" horror films. "And even if I don't make it, I got to see all these cool people, all the cool costumes, and just be around a crowd that has so much energy."
Pepe Esquivel, center, yells out chants with other Spurs fans during the Spurs Jackals auditions Saturday at the Frost Bank Center. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama formed the group ahead of the 2025-26 season. (Andrew J. Whitaker/San Antonio Express-News)Vela joined around 100 other eclectic, energetic hopefuls for a possible spot on the Spurs' rowdy supporters group, which held auditions Saturday at Frost Bank Center. Organizers will make their final selections in the next couple of weeks.
Still making noise after last season's debut, the Jackals look to expand their ranks for the 2026-27 season. The Spurs' preseason starts Oct. 8, when they host the Atlanta Hawks. The Spurs' regular season tips off Oct. 20 at Frost Bank Center against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Jackals return to cheer on a Spurs team that defied expectations last season with a trip to the NBA Finals. Like the Spurs, the Jackals also aim to step up their game for a return to the postseason and possible championship.
"We're expecting to go back," said Spurs Jackals President Aidan Sterling. "And I think the takeaway is that the Jackals need to be louder, need to be better and to make sure that if we can give them that one percent edge, we need to do it every single home game. We got to make sure that the Frost Bank Center is rocking every single night."
It sure rocked plenty Saturday as first-timers and returning Jackals alike auditioned for Sterling and other judges to make the expanded team.
Many wore some sort of black Spurs gear, be it traditional sleeveless or baseball-style jerseys, customized with chunky 3D-printed jewelry and other gonzo accessories. Gilly Barrera sported the gray tactical suit and black headband of Solid Snake from the "Metal Gear" video games. One fan wore a full Chewbacca outfit with a Spurs jersey, while another sported an Iron Man helmet painted in Spurs colors with an automated faceplate and glowing eyes.
George Montoya, left, and his dad, George Montoya, cheer during the Spurs Jackals auditions Saturday at the Frost Bank Center. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama formed the group ahead of the 2025-26 season. (Andrew J. Whitaker/San Antonio Express-News)Naturally, Spurs star Wembanyama got plenty of cosplay love, too. After all, he rolled out the inaugural woof pack ahead of last season. In addition to loads of No. 1 Spurs jerseys, a few folks dressed in green alien body suits, including longtime Spurs fans George Montoya and his son George Nathan Montoya.
Then there were the bad guys and gals looking to bring a little villainous edge to the Jackals.
Jerry Gonzalez, right, dressed as Doctor Doom cheers with other Spurs fans during the Spurs Jackals auditions Saturday at the Frost Bank Center. (Andrew J. Whitaker/San Antonio Express-News)In addition to Vela as the demonic Nun, fellow first-time applicant Jerry Gonzalez bore the steel mask and cape of Dr. Doom, while Paul Horn bore the shredded gear of the Spurs Slash Brother, a looming figure in black with fluorescent lettering who wore a hockey mask favored by horror slasher Jason Voorhees in the "Friday the 13th" films.
The Jackals intend to grow their "Lair" at Frost Bank Center across sections 114 and 115 with an additional 100 members.
The math may be on the side of those who auditioned, but that doesn't mean the audition was easy. Each individual had to make it through at least two rounds of evaluations. The first round covered the way prospective Jackals members learn and perform a chant from last season. The second round then threw them into mock game situations where they had to follow a chant leader.
Each round, the judges rated each participant's fandom and organization based on a scale from one to five. Top star-stealers immediately stood out, maintained energy and followed cues without prompting.
Judges look at their potential Spurs Jackals during the Spurs Jackals auditions Saturday at the Frost Bank Center. (Andrew J. Whitaker/San Antonio Express-News)Those who made the cut to the third round then had to get creative with various ways to surprise the judges.
Joel Bustos, a current Jackals member who hopes to retain his position as a member of the group's so-called Back Row Mafia, said the Jackals got more media attention and support as the season went on. He noted in the beginning the squad was pretty much making it up as it went along, then got more organized with drum chants and cheers.
The hard work paid off last season in an H-E-B commercial with the Spurs Coyote, which featured Jackals members in full gear clapping along with H-E-B employees in their work red polos.
R.C. Buford, CEO of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, swung by the Jackals auditions for a peek at next season's possible lineup. His hopes for the new squad mirror his hopes for the team they all cheer on.
"To build on the support and the success of last year and the atmosphere that they brought to the arena," he said.
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