The Ole Miss mascot is a symbol of pride and tradition at the University of Mississippi. The mascot, known as Colonel Reb, has a controversial history that has led to its retirement. Colonel Reb was a caricature of a Southern plantation owner, complete with a white mustache, white suit, and cane. He embodied the stereotype of the old South and became a symbol of racial intolerance and white supremacy. Many people found the mascot offensive and called for its removal. In 2003, Colonel Reb was officially retired and replaced with a new mascot, the Rebel Black Bear.
Meet James “Blind Jim” Ivy
“Blind Jim” Ivy in front of the Lyceum at UM in this undated photo.
While James Meredith will always be the first African-American to attend The University of Mississippi as as a student, there was another man whose presence and influence on campus long preceded him.
His name was James Ivy, but he was best known by his nickname, “Blind Jim”. For 60 years, he was a peanut vender on campus, an unofficial mascot for the school and self-appointed “Dean of Freshmen.” Blinded as a teenager while working with tar on the Tallahatchie Bridge, Ivy was known for his humorous saying: “I’ve never seen the rebels lose a game.”
Ivy came to Oxford-Lafayette County with his mother in early childhood. His mother, Matilda, was one of the eight ex-slave women who formed the nucleus of the first Colored Baptist Church (now Second Baptist) in 1869. A member and ordained to preach, he would always lead the opening of the worship on Sunday services by singing ‘Let Heaven’s Light Shine on Me.’ In a whirlwind courtship, he married Blind Rosa Sanders and lived across the street from the church he loved.
“Blind Jim” became a part of the University of Mississippi in 1896. It is said that while boiling peanuts at one of the athletic events he loudly cheered ‘Hey! We’re gonna beat ’em.’ After that event, the students honored him as mascot of the football team and also honored him as dean of the freshmen class.
“Blind Jim” Ivy was thought of as being ‘the grace of the Ole Miss campus’ for 69 years before his death in 1955. His funeral services were attended at Second Baptist Church, the church which he supported spiritually and financially.
A tall, distinguished man dressed impeccably in a black suit and white shirt, Ivy used a cane and wore a wide-brimmed hat. It is speculated that the figure of “Colonel Reb” is based on Ivy. “Blind Jim” was known for his loyalty to the football, basketball and baseball teams. His optimism, perseverance and humor endeared him to many people.
For a rare glimpse of “Blind Jim” Ivy at an Ole Miss football game in 1947, click this link.
LEAKED: Image of Ole Miss’ new landshark mascot
Ole Miss has had their fair share of mascot uncertainly over the past few years. They retired the problematic Colonel Reb mascot in 2003, finally replacing him with Rebel Black Bear in 2010. Then last fall, the mascot was again changed, this time to a Landshark. For more on this history, watch this snazzy video from our friends over at Red Cup Rebellion.
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.The move to the landshark will culminate at the annual “Meet the Rebels” day this weekend, where the official on-field landshark mascot is expected to be unveiled. Good Bull Hunting has scoured our sources, and we are pleased to bring you this exclusive early look at Laynce the Landshark.
The landshark moniker at Ole Miss goes back as far as 2008, with the Rebel defense adopting the name. It gained even more traction in recent years with players and fans alike donning the fin handsign on their foreheads.
“With Laynce (prononced ‘Lance’), Ole Miss sought to create a mascot that represents the modern Ole Miss student, “ said the ghost of William Faulkner in a prepared statement. “With his knit button-down, chubbies, deck shoes and red solo cup, Laynce is equally suited to networking in The Grove and cheering on the Rebels on the field at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. We are excited for the upcoming season and the positive impact Laynce will have on all fans of Ole Miss football.”
Laynce’s look was developed by a multidisciplinary panel over the course of the past nine months. The panel experience a period of upheaval following the departure of coach Hugh Freeze, and would eventually end up being chaired by chart-topping pop singer and noted Ole Miss mascot enthusiast Katy Perry.
Perry didn’t have to go far to find inspiration for the new Landshark mascot, drawing heavily from her 2015 Super Bowl halftime co-stars. While Left Shark is the celebrity of the two, Ole Miss officials ultimately decided to use Right Shark, as he seemed to better align with the fanbases political leanings.
(obligatory disclaimer that this isn’t real, knowing full well that nobody who believed it read past the headline anyway)
Ole Miss Picks A New Mascot: Rebel Black Bear, Rebel Land Shark, Or Hotty Toddy
A few months ago, NPR reported the University of Mississippi -- Ole Miss -- was almost done with its seven-year search for a new mascot, a replacement for Colonel Rebel.
NPR's Mark Memmott, whose son "was a huge Star Wars fan as a kid," enamored of Admiral "It's a trap!" Ackbar, was happy that a handful of students were in favor of picking the fish-like Mon Calamarian -- who, incidentally, was a rebel commander in his own right.
He even created an unscientific poll. So far, 5,075 readers (roughly 94 percent) said they would vote in favor of making Admiral Akbar the new Ole Miss mascot. For comparison, 330 said they wouldn't.
Well, the real vote has commenced in Oxford, Mississippi, and, alas, Mark is ineligible. According to the USA Today, "you can't vote if you're not a student, part of the faculty, an alumni or a season ticketholder." (If you are eligible, you can vote here.)
There are three finalists, Ty New, the co-chair of the Ole Miss Mascot Selection Committee, told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly: The Rebel Black Bear, The Rebel Landshark, and Hotty Toddy.
According to New, The Rebel Black Bear was inspired by famous Oxford resident William Faulkner's Old Ben, from "The Bear," a short story in Go Down, Moses; and President Theodore Roosevelt's 1902 hunting trip to Mississippi, where he refused to shoot a bear.
The Rebel Landshark? New called it "the most organic from Ole Miss." It's a nickname for the school football team's defense, started by the late linebacker Tony Fein.
If you're an Ole Miss grad, Hotty Toddy needs no explanation, apparently. It's a salutation among students and alumni.
"If you see somebody in an airport that has an Ole Miss shirt on, you just say, 'Hotty Toddy,' and that means, 'I'm from Ole Miss too,'" New said.
The search for a new mascot was brought about by complaints that the Ole Miss Rebel mascot was anachronistic and, to some, offensive. According to New, students and teams at the University of Mississippi are "always going to be the Ole Miss Rebels."
Here's how he explained that to Kelly:
In 2003, Colonel Reb was officially retired and replaced with a new mascot, the Rebel Black Bear. The Rebel Black Bear was chosen in a student-led vote and represented a shift towards a more inclusive and diverse image for the university. However, the Rebel Black Bear was not widely embraced by the Ole Miss community, and in 2010, students and fans began calling for a new mascot.
In 2017, the university introduced a new mascot, the Landshark, which has received mixed reviews from fans and alumni. The Landshark symbolizes the fierceness and determination of the Ole Miss athletic teams, but some people believe it lacks the traditional appeal and connection to the university's history. Despite the controversies surrounding its mascots, Ole Miss continues to strive for inclusivity and representation within its athletic programs..
Reviews for "Exploring Ole Miss's Mascot Journey: From Colonel Rebel to Tony the Landshark"
1. John Doe - 1 star
The Ole Miss mascot is highly offensive and promotes racism. The depiction of a plantation owner as a mascot is not only insensitive but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes. This mascot fails to acknowledge the painful history of slavery at the University of Mississippi and is incredibly disrespectful to the African American community. It is time for the university to retire this offensive symbol and embrace a more inclusive and diverse mascot that represents the values of equality and respect.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars
As an alumni of the University of Mississippi, I never really understood the choice of the Ole Miss mascot. It seems outdated and lacks creativity. The image of a plantation owner in a Confederate uniform does not accurately represent the vibrant and diverse student body that exists today. Moreover, it is insensitive to the painful history of slavery and racism associated with the Deep South. It is about time that the university revisits its mascot choice and considers something more inclusive and representative of its modern values.
3. Sarah Johnson - 1 star
The Ole Miss mascot is a disrespectful symbol that University of Mississippi should be ashamed of. It reinforces negative stereotypes and promotes a romanticized version of the past that ignores the deep-rooted issues of slavery and racism. The university needs to take responsibility and choose a mascot that reflects its commitment to inclusivity and tolerance. It is unacceptable to continue using a mascot that perpetuates harm and offends a significant portion of the student community.
4. Michael Thompson - 1 star
The Ole Miss mascot is a prime example of institutional racism. It is incredibly offensive to African American students and disregards the painful history of slavery and segregation in Mississippi. The university's failure to acknowledge and address the issue only further alienates minority students and perpetuates a culture of exclusion. It is time for a change and for the university to adopt a mascot that is diverse, inclusive, and representative of the values it claims to uphold.
5. Samantha Davis - 2 stars
The Ole Miss mascot is outdated and lacks cultural sensitivity. It is disheartening to see a university of such prestige continue to cling onto a symbol that glorifies the era of slavery and oppression. As an alumni, I feel embarrassed by the mascot and the message it sends to the rest of the world. The university should take immediate action to retire this offensive symbol and choose a new mascot that promotes unity and respects the diverse backgrounds of its students.