The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, has a long-standing tradition of having an official mascot to represent the school. The current official mascot is a live American black bear named Rebel, who resides at the University's campus. Rebel was adopted as the official mascot in 2010, following the retirement of the previous mascot, Colonel Reb, in 2003. The decision to have a live bear as the official mascot was driven by the desire to have a more modern, inclusive representation of the university. The selection of a black bear as the mascot is significant, as black bears are native to the state of Mississippi. The adoption of Rebel as the official mascot also aligns with the university's Rebel nickname and the history associated with it.
With new leadership coming to UM, the desire to have Colonel Reb reinstated as an official mascot and logo continues. The CRF believes that Colonel Reb is the only mascot for Ole Miss, despite a fraudulent “student-led” poll in 2010 that introduced “Rebel the Black Bear” as the administration’s new on-field mascot. The Colonel is a lovable, unique, recognizable and historic tradition of Ole Miss. The Colonel loves nothing more than to bring smiles to kids faces, shake hands with alumni and cheer the Rebels to victory.
The love of the goateed icon remains as strong as ever, despite the mascot being banned from the stadium, Colonel Reb-emblazoned merchandise stripped from merchandise, and the eight-decades-old logo demoted to the college vault. The last time we checked in with Admiral Ackbar, he was leading the Rebel Alliance Fleet on a critical mission so it will be difficult for him to show up for the games.
The adoption of Rebel as the official mascot also aligns with the university's Rebel nickname and the history associated with it. Rebel is not just a mascot that appears at sporting events, but also serves as an educational ambassador for the university. His presence on campus helps to promote conservation, wildlife education, and environmental stewardship.
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Colonel Reb was created in 1937, concurrent with the nicknames “Ole Miss” and “Rebels” being adapted for the University of Mississippi’s athletic teams. Serving as the spirit icon of Ole Miss for over 70 years, it is alarming what the beloved mascot and logo has endured during the last decade.
1947 “Ole Miss” Yearbook Cover
The University of Mississippi administration’s fight against the Colonel has been complex and unnecessary. In the summer of 2003, students, alumni and fans were shocked when then-chancellor Robert Khayat and athletics director Pete Boone decided to strip the mascot from the school. Boone’s reasoning was the mascot “doesn’t fit anything we do.” At no point did student or alumni input factor into the decision to get rid of the mascot. However, this episode was not his first attack against Colonel Reb. In 1997, during his first tenure as athletics director, Boone introduced a goofy, muscular, football helmet-wearing version of the mascot. Students ridiculed this decision, as they formed the Rebel Student Union to combat the change. The students would prevail, and the steroid version of the Colonel was soon rejected; and Boone would leave as athletics director But upon his return as athletics director in 2002, the banker-turned-AD decided to get rid of the Colonel for good. The Ole Miss family was stunned, and an estimated $50 million in donations was lost.
The Colonel Reb Foundation (CRF) was formed during the summer of 2003, just as Colonel Reb was officially removed by the administration. Through alumni input and donations, the student-led CRF launched a Grove lapel sticker campaign. To date, over 500,000 Rebel fans have put on the “Colonel Reb Is My Mascot” stickers on gamedays.
It became apparent the administration was not listening, so the CRF spearheaded an ASB vote on the matter. In September 2003, a record number of voters stood in line for hours to let their voice be heard. Over 94 percent of the students voted to bring Colonel Reb back. Outside the Student Union, satellite news trucks from Memphis and throughout Mississippi broadcast the live results. The administration then introduced a new mascot contest. But thanks to the CRF, fans ridiculed the administration’s “Mr. Clean” vs. “Rowdy Rebel” mascot contest, and Khayat cancelled it.
“Colonel Too” in the Grove.
The Colonel Reb Foundation then commissioned a mascot company to produce a new Colonel for Ole Miss fans. This replacement would fill-in until Colonel Reb was returned. In 2004, “Colonel Too” arrived in Oxford with his own unique style and mannerisms. The kids and fans seem to love him just the same. The university allowed the CRF mascot to attend athletic contests, but only in the stands. He entered with a ticket bought by the non-profit foundation. But in 2009, athletics department officials began forbidding the Colonel to enter home sporting events.
The love of the goateed icon remains as strong as ever, despite the mascot being banned from the stadium, Colonel Reb-emblazoned merchandise stripped from merchandise, and the eight-decades-old logo demoted to the “college vault.”
The CRF’s student chapter, the largest student organization at UM, is committed to the cause, as evidenced by the signatures on last year’s petition for the Colonel’s restoration. A total of 4,160 petitions were delivered to former chancellor Dan Jones on April 28, 2011.
With new leadership coming to UM, the desire to have Colonel Reb reinstated as an official mascot and logo continues. The CRF believes that Colonel Reb is the only mascot for Ole Miss, despite a fraudulent “student-led” poll in 2010 that introduced “Rebel the Black Bear” as the administration’s new on-field mascot. The Colonel is a lovable, unique, recognizable and historic tradition of Ole Miss. The Colonel loves nothing more than to bring smiles to kids faces, shake hands with alumni and cheer the Rebels to victory.
Hotty Toddy, Go Rebs!
Brian Ferguson – Exec. Director, Colonel Reb Foundation
Ole Miss takes great pride in having Rebel as their official mascot, and students, alumni, and fans alike enjoy seeing him at various university events. Rebel has become a beloved symbol of the university, representing its spirit and tradition. In conclusion, Ole Miss's official mascot, Rebel, is a live American black bear that serves as an important symbol for the university. His selection as the official mascot represents the school's commitment to modernizing its representation while still honoring its history and traditions. Rebel not only brings school spirit to sporting events but also serves as an ambassador for conservation and wildlife education..
Reviews for "Keeping the Spirit Alive: Supporting the Ole Miss Official Mascot"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I can't believe that Ole Miss went with this as their official mascot. It's just a boring, generic looking bear. There's nothing unique or exciting about it. I was expecting something more inventive and representative of the school's history and spirit. They could have come up with a mascot that really captures the essence of the university, but instead, they settled for something so uninspiring. Such a disappointment.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really hoping for a mascot that would energize the crowd and create a sense of excitement during games. However, the "Ole Miss official mascot" falls short in that regard. It's just not very engaging or captivating. I think they missed an opportunity to create something that would truly unite the fans and players, and instead settled for a mascot that blends into the background. Overall, I was left unimpressed and underwhelmed by this choice.
3. Ethan - 2/5 stars - As an avid sports fan, I know the importance of having a strong and dynamic mascot that can rally the crowd and create a memorable experience. Unfortunately, the Ole Miss official mascot doesn't quite live up to that expectation. It lacks the charisma and energy that one would associate with a college sports mascot. It feels like a missed opportunity to create something truly special for the university. I hope they reconsider and come up with a mascot that can truly ignite the school spirit at Ole Miss.
4. Samantha - 1/5 stars - The Ole Miss official mascot is just plain boring. It's a poor representation of the school and its history. When I think of Ole Miss, I think of tradition, passion, and excitement. Unfortunately, this mascot fails to capture any of that. It looks like a generic bear that you could find at any sporting event. I expected more from a university with such a rich history and dedicated fan base. This mascot is a letdown and doesn't do justice to the Ole Miss community.