George Brown

2:37 p.m. EDT, June 28, 2010
FAST FACTS:
  • Ole Miss students, alumni and others voting on new mascot
  • University officials refuse to give Colonel Reb as a choice
  • List will be narrowed down after initial vote
  • Related

  • Vote Here For The New Mascot

    Tell us your choice for the new Ole Miss mascot.

    • REBEL THE BLACK BEAR
    • REBEL BLUES MUSICIAN
    • REBEL THE CARDINAL
    • REBEL FANATIC
    • REBEL THE HORSE
    • REBEL LAND SHARK
    • REBEL LION
    • REBEL MOJO
    • REBEL RIVERBOAT PILOT
    • REBEL TITAN

  • Should Col. Reb Be Brought Back?

    Should Ole Miss bring back Colonel Reb as its mascot rather than choose a new one?

    • Yes
    • No

(Oxford, MS 6/28/2010) The search for a new mascot for the University of Mississippi enters a new phase today when students, alumni and faculty will vote online on their top choices.

The Ole Miss Mascot Selection Committee has received more than 1,000 mascot idea submissions. The list will be narrowed to 11 after the voting ends July 5.

The vote is open to students, staff, faculty, football season ticket holders and members of the alumni association.

They'll rank their top 11 choices using a code.

The choice of restoring Colonel Reb has not been given even after outcry.

Here are the choices listed on the Ole Miss website:
  • HOTTY AND TODDY
Nothing says Ole Miss like these two wordsÂ… "Hotty Toddy." They embrace the culture at Ole Miss like nothing else. Southern charm, hospitality, pride, traditionÂ… "Hotty Toddy" means all of that and more. Among the Ole Miss family, these words have become a familiar greeting, a way of connecting with others through a shared love of Ole Miss. University historians have searched for the origins of these words and the familiar cheer for years to no avail, but they are as much a part of Ole Miss as the Grove or the Lyceum. This mascot concept would bring those words, and the emotions connected to those words, alive in a pair of lovable characters. The pair may be animals or original "muppet-like" characters, but completely unique to Ole Miss. They can get as spirited and excited as any Rebel fan, and they love to pump up the crowd. And once we win the game, they will gladly be gracious hosts, inviting the other team to come back for more!
  • REBEL THE BLACK BEAR

In Mississippi, many stories that have been shared for generations center around our native black bear. The legend of the "Teddy Bear" originated in our state when President Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a defenseless bear on a Mississippi hunt. Additionally, William Faulkner's "Old Ben," a formidable black bear, was the focal point of his renowned short story The Bear. In the story, the bear is a symbol of pride, strength and toughness. Our black bear would stare down the Ole Miss opponents as it prowls the Rebel sidelines. With a growl that would intimidate any opponent, our bear would be a real source of spirit. Off the field, "Rebel" would be a real Ole Miss ambassadorÂ… full of pride and welcoming any opportunity to spread the joy of being a Rebel.
  • REBEL BLUES MUSICIAN