Stephen F. Austin State University men's athletic teams have been officially known as Lumberjacks since the institution opened in 1923. After the opening of classes in 1923, the SFA students and faculty met in an assembly to decide upon the name for the athletic teams. Several names had been submitted and each name was considered by those assembled.

Those proposing the names led yells to demonstrate their nominations. The assembly chose Lumberjacks, which had been submitted by T.E. Ferguson, professor of English.