The Ole Miss Mascot Landshark is a prominent figure in the athletic department of the University of Mississippi. It was introduced as the official mascot in the year 2008, replacing the previous mascot, Colonel Reb. The landshark symbolizes strength, determination, and aggressiveness, traits that are highly valued in sports. The Landshark mascot originated from a football tradition at Ole Miss. The phrase "Fins Up" is commonly used by fans and players to show their support and enthusiasm. It represents the ferocious and tenacious nature of the university's athletic teams.
Ole Miss Chancellor announces “Landshark” will be new on-field mascot
Last week, the Ole Miss Associated Student Body announced the results of a student-wide vote to replace the Rebel Black Bear as the on-field mascot of Ole Miss with the Landshark. After over 4,100 students voted, 81% were in favor of the change. Today, Ole Miss Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter announced in a letter that the Universtiy will officially adopt the Landshark mascot.
The Landshark mascot will be unveiled before the 2018 season, effectively retiring the black bear, who has been the on-field mascot for Ole Miss since 2010.
Chancellor Vitter’s full remarks can be read below:
“We are proud of our students and their leadership and active engagement as important members of our university community. We recognize that their efforts stem from a desire to unify the Ole Miss family. The results of the Landshark poll confirm the sentiments that Ross and I have heard since arriving on campus — that the Landshark and “Fins Up” have become synonymous with the positive spirit and strength of our athletics program and the “Never Quit” attitude of Rebel Nation.
Upon learning of the ASB poll of students, we sought input from the executive committees of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, the Staff Council, the Faculty Senate, and the Graduate Student Council, as well as from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Spirit Squad head coaches. In each case, the support for the Landshark mascot was unanimous. In addition, the past presidents of the Ole Miss Alumni Association and the boards of the Alumni Association and M-Club enthusiastically endorsed the action of the Alumni Association executive committee.
Indeed, the growth of the Landshark mystique over the last seven years has been phenomenal with every athletics team embracing it, including such standouts as Marshall Henderson with basketball and Kaitlin Lee with softball, in leading their respective teams to SEC championships.
Today, I’m excited to announce that we will move forward with the Landshark as the official mascot and retire Rebel the Bear. Athletics will be charged with designing, developing, and launching the Landshark mascot, with an anticipated unveiling before the 2018 season.
In closing, I want to state unequivocally that we are — and always will be — the Ole Miss Rebels. And I am asking all Rebels to unite around our new Landshark mascot.
Hotty Toddy and Fins Up!Jeffrey S. Vitter
Chancellor and Distinguished Professor”
Meet Tony the Landshark, Ole Miss’ new mascot
The Ole Miss Rebels have a new mascot, y’all. They’re still the Rebels, mind you, but the fuzzy costume donned by the guy strutting along the sidelines will now be a shark.
More specifically, it’ll be a landshark named Tony. During its annual Meet the Rebels fan event on Saturday, the school officially unveiled its new on-field mascot, which replaces the oft-maligned black bear that’s cheered on the university’s sports teams since 2010.
On the surface, a shark seems an odd choice to represent a school in north Mississippi. Sharks have little historical connection to the state, and while roughly a dozen species are commonly found in the warm waters off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, not a single one has yet evolved the ability to live on land.
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Mascot Evolution Continues at Ole Miss: Students Voting on Landshark vs. Black Bear
Many Ole Miss students and alum have moved on from the old days of Colonel Reb as their disturbing mascot. And the Rebel Black Bear may soon be history, too.
The University of Mississippi’s student-body president, Dion Kevin III, today announced that students will vote on whether to change its Rebel Black Bear mascot to the popular Landshark, The Daily Mississippian, the university’s school newspaper, reported this morning.
Students will vote on the mascot change next Tuesday alongside “personality” elections for Mr. and Miss Ole Miss, Homecoming Queen, maids and campus favorites. The university chose the Black Bear in 2010 in homage to famed Oxford writer William Faulkner, who wrote the famous short story, “The Bear.”
The Rebel Black Bear has been the official mascot since 2010 when Ole Miss officially chose it to replace the old racist symbol of Colonel Reb, which still makes various unofficial appearances during campus events and, as the JFP staff noted with surprise once, dancing at weddings of Ole Miss graduates. Haley Barbour also had a Colonel Reb on his wedding cake back in the day; his campaign sent out the photo of the Ole Miss graduate and his wife, Marsha, cutting the cake during his successful campaign for governor of Mississippi.
Many Colonel Reb supporters, however, would still rather the old plantation owner to be the official mascot of Ole Miss, but that seems unlikely to ever happen with a newer generation of Ole Miss students rejecting the racist symbols of the old days.
The ship now seems to be sailing toward the landshark, at least if the student-body president gets his way. Kevin issued a statement in favor of the landshark, which The Daily Mississippian published in full. It reads in part:
“The Landshark as we know it today has its origins in football, but has since expanded to symbolize Ole Miss’s fight spirit and athletic prowess. It was started by Ole Miss defensive linebacker and military veteran Tony Fein in 2008 during our historic upset of the Tim Tebow-led Florida Gators. With 41 seconds left in the game, Tim Tebow ran an option left, identical to a scoring play earlier in the quarter. As the play developed, Fein rose up, hand to helmet, and the Landshark was born. It would subsequently join the Rebels in wins such as the 2009 Cotton Bowl victory, the 2013 SEC Basketball Tournament, and the 2014 College World Series. After a decade of success under the Landsark, it’s time to make it a lasting part of our history. … I support the Landshark, and I am an Ole Miss Rebel.”
Put simply, the students of Ole Miss seem to be focused on the future and making their own mascot choices, not on symbols of the past from Confederate colonels to literary figures. Cheers to them.
UPDATE: After this post went live, someone pointed out to me this great piece by Adria Walker, formerly of the JFP, at Millsaps College about Confederate symbolism on that campus, including the Majors mascot. Definitely worth a read.
It represents the ferocious and tenacious nature of the university's athletic teams. The Landshark mascot can be seen at various sporting events, including football, basketball, baseball, and more. It has become a beloved symbol of school spirit and unity among Ole Miss fans.
The Landshark mascot is portrayed as a person wearing a shark costume with the school's colors, navy blue and crimson, and white. This costume is often spotted on the sidelines or in the stands, cheering on the teams and interacting with fans. The introduction of the Landshark mascot was a significant step for the University of Mississippi. It represented a positive change in the university's culture and a move towards a more inclusive and progressive image. The Landshark has helped foster a sense of pride and unity among students, alumni, and fans. Overall, the Ole Miss Mascot Landshark has become an integral part of the university's identity. It symbolizes the fierce determination and competitive spirit of the athletic teams, while also representing the sense of community and pride among the Ole Miss family..
Reviews for "The Landshark Transition: From the Grove to the Playing Field at Ole Miss"
1. John Doe - 1 star
I have to say, I am extremely disappointed with the decision to change the Ole Miss mascot to the landshark. It completely eliminates the rich tradition and history associated with the previous rebel mascot. The landshark lacks the same level of charisma and heritage that the rebel represented. It just feels like a cheap attempt to rebrand without considering the importance of maintaining the university's identity.
2. Sarah Smith - 2 stars
As an alumni of Ole Miss, I was really looking forward to seeing what the new mascot would be. Unfortunately, the landshark just didn't live up to my expectations. It feels forced and out of place. The connection to the university's sports teams is not strong enough to justify the change. I believe it's important to honor the past while embracing the future, but the landshark just doesn't capture that spirit for me.
3. Robert Johnson - 1 star
I can't believe the administration at Ole Miss thought the landshark was a suitable replacement for the previous mascot. It lacks creativity and originality. It's nothing but a generic animal mascot that has been done countless times before. The university missed an opportunity to honor its unique history and instead settled for a mascot that feels like a cliché. I hope they reconsider their decision and come up with something more fitting for our beloved Ole Miss.
4. Emily Thompson - 2 stars
While I understand the need for change and progress, I can't help but feel disappointed with the choice of the landshark as the new Ole Miss mascot. It just lacks the charm and elegance associated with the previous mascot. The landshark doesn't have the same appeal and connection to the university's traditions. I appreciate the effort to rebrand, but I believe it could have been executed better.
5. Michael Wilson - 1 star
The decision to replace the Ole Miss mascot with the landshark is a major letdown. It feels like a rushed and ill-advised choice that doesn't fully capture the essence of the university. The landshark lacks the historical significance and emotional attachment that the previous mascot had. It's a missed opportunity to create a mascot that truly represents the spirit and values of Ole Miss. Overall, I'm deeply disappointed with this decision.