The Power of a Mascot: Naming the Ole Miss Symbol for 2023

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In 2023, the Ole Miss mascot underwent a name change to reflect inclusivity and diversity. After taking into consideration feedback from students, alumni, and the community, the university decided to retire the previous name, Colonel Reb. Colonel Reb had been the symbol of Ole Miss for several decades, but it had become controversial due to its association with the Confederate South and its ties to a period of racial inequality. To select a new name for the Ole Miss mascot, the university organized a series of open discussions and surveys. They encouraged students, faculty, alumni, and fans to submit their suggestions and opinions. The goal was to find a name that would embody the values of the university, unite the community, and represent the pride and spirit of Ole Miss.



Ole Miss Announces Name of New Landshark Mascot

OXFORD, Miss. -- With its new on-field mascot set to be introduced at Saturday's annual Meet the Rebels Day, Ole Miss is pleased to announce the name of the Landshark will be Tony in honor of the first Rebel to throw "Fins Up," Tony Fein.

Fans will have their chance to meet Tony, who will wear Fein's jersey number 47, on Saturday. Meet The Rebels Day will begin at 1 p.m. CT at the Manning Center on campus, and admission is free.

New marks, social media accounts and a website related to the Landshark will also be released on Saturday.

Fein, who lettered for the Rebels in 2007 and 2008, will forever be remembered with the likes of Ole Miss Football because of his legacy on and off the football field. Before the Rebel family started throwing up the Landshark at every opportunity, a young man from Washington introduced it to them.

"When Tony was born, we knew he was created with a purpose," said Cindy Daniels, mother of Tony Fein. "My son always had the ability to unify people from all backgrounds, and it's exciting for his legacy to be part of something that everyone can enjoy. He was my gentle giant, and it's nice to see this is happening in his honor."

Growing up in the small town of Port Orchard, Washington, football was everything to Fein, who was the ultimate team player. Playing on both sides of the ball, Fein starred at quarterback and linebacker for South Kitsap High School before making the decision to join the Army after his senior year rather than pursue an opportunity to play football in college. Turns out, there were bigger things in life than football for Fein.

Following graduation from high school, Fein served three and a half years in the United States Army, including one tour in Iraq. After his discharge, Fein enrolled in Scottsdale Community College in Arizona and became a top junior college prospect, earning first team All-American honors from the JC Grid-Wire and the NJCAA.

Ole Miss was looking to replace production at linebacker after the graduation of Patrick Willis. Enter Fein, who transferred to Ole Miss in 2007 at age 25, not your usual college newcomer. Fein came in as a true leader on the field, due in part to his service to his country.

Fein earned two letters while playing middle linebacker, seeing action in 24 games, including seven starts. He was credited with 136 total tackles, including eight for a loss, during his two seasons. Fein's 84 tackles in 2007 ranked second on the team and 10th in the Southeastern Conference (7.6 per game), while his 52 tackles in 2008 ranked third on the team.

In the spring of 2008, Fein received the Pat Tillman Patriot Award by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to exhibit to Americans that some athletes can battle on the gridiron or on the battlefield.

Fein's lasting legacy on Rebel Football goes way beyond his statistics. His Landshark rally cry made a home in the Ole Miss defensive unit during the 2008 season and is still alive today. It started in practice that season, when Fein sacked then Rebel quarterback Jevan Sneadduring a drill and quickly threw up the hand sign.

Spurring his defensive peers to smell blood in the water like a shark, Fein's teammates like standouts Jerrell Powe and Peria Jerry adopted the Landshark persona, and the Rebel defense rose up to become one of the nation's best, ranking fourth in the nation against the run in 2008. After four straight losing seasons, Ole Miss returned to prominence with a 9-4 record, and before long, the whole team and fan base were throwing "Fins Up."

Fein's inspirational story followed him to the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and eventually to his untimely death on Oct. 6, 2009. His life was cut short, but he will forever be known as the original Landshark to the Ole Miss faithful.

Follow Ole Miss Football on Twitter (@OleMissFB), Facebook and Instagram.

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The goal was to find a name that would embody the values of the university, unite the community, and represent the pride and spirit of Ole Miss. After carefully considering all the submissions and taking the opinions of various stakeholders into account, the university decided to name the new mascot "Rebel Landshark." The name Rebel Landshark reflects the university's new direction in embracing a sense of unity, progress, and positivity.

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Lane Kiffin’s dog, Juice, has a fetching time during Ole Miss win

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Published Sep. 2, 2023, 8:22 p.m. ET

Unofficial Ole Miss mascot and official good boy Juice Kiffin has been training all off-season for his big moment on the field.

The four-legged Rebel showed off his fetching new skill, retrieving kickoff tees, during the Rebels’ 73-7 thumping of visiting Mercer on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Juice, head coach Lane Kiffin’s family pet, made his debut at the beginning of the second half and trotted back the tee all the way to the home sideline.

Juice Kiffin was the real MVP of the Ole Miss win.

Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin walks off the field after a timeout during the first half of Ole Miss’s 73-7 win over Mercer. AP

Since joining the Kiffin family, Juice has become a Twitter sensation.

He has more than 47,000 followers on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and has become an important part of Ole Miss culture.

During the game, Juice even asked how well he did out on the field.

“How many of our 52 points did I score on this play? Still new to football,” Juice’s X account read.

In addition to being a household name, Ole Miss hosts “Juice Fest” every year for recruiting targets.

The team even gave him the star-studded treatment with an entrance fit for a Heisman winner before the game.

With the blowout win, it looks like all of Juice’s training has paid off.

Ole miss mascot 2023 name

The term "Rebel" acknowledges the university's historical connection to the South, while "Landshark" brings a modern and dynamic spirit to the mascot. The university hopes that the new mascot will serve as a unifying symbol, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity among students, alumni, and fans. The name change is seen as a step towards creating a more welcoming and diverse environment at Ole Miss, one that values and celebrates all individuals. The university is excited for the future of Rebel Landshark and the positive impact it will have on the Ole Miss community..

Reviews for "Vote for the Ole Miss Mascot Name: Let Your Voice Be Heard"

1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the selection of the Ole Miss mascot's name for 2023. "Ole Miss" is already a controversial term, with roots in the pre-Civil War era. I was hoping that the university would use this opportunity to choose a name that better represents inclusivity and diversity. Instead, they went with a generic name that adds nothing to the conversation. It feels like a missed opportunity to make a meaningful change.
2. John - 1 star
The selection of the Ole Miss mascot's name for 2023 is just plain lazy. "Ole Miss" already has a divisive history, and instead of addressing it, they chose a name that perpetuates the problem. It's a shame that the university didn't take this chance to rebrand and move forward. This decision shows a lack of vision and a disregard for the concerns of their students and alumni.
3. Emily - 3 stars
While I understand that rebranding a mascot is a difficult task, I can't help but feel underwhelmed by the choice of the Ole Miss mascot's name for 2023. It's just so generic and uninspiring. I was hoping for something that would ignite a sense of pride among the Ole Miss community, but this name falls short. It's a missed opportunity to create a mascot that truly represents the spirit and values of the university.
4. David - 2 stars
The selection of the Ole Miss mascot's name for 2023 lacks creativity and originality. It feels like the university took the safe route by choosing a name that is familiar and doesn't challenge any boundaries. I was hoping for something that would reflect the unique culture and heritage of Ole Miss. Instead, we got a name that seems like it could belong to any other college mascot. Disappointing.
5. Rachel - 1 star
I am deeply disappointed with the choice of the Ole Miss mascot's name for 2023. It completely ignores the issues surrounding the use of "Ole Miss" as a term. The university had a chance to address the concerns raised by students and alumni, but instead, they decided to sweep it under the rug and continue with the status quo. It's a missed opportunity to create a mascot name that is inclusive, respectful, and reflective of the university's values.

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