The Ole Miss Mascot Selection Committee announced on Tuesday that the Rebel Black Bear was selected to be the new on-field mascot for the Ole Miss Rebels.
The committee made the recommendation after the final online poll indicated that 62 percent of those polled supported the Rebel Black Bear while the other two mascots, the Rebel Land Shark and Hotty Toddy only gained support of 56% and 42% respectively.
The committee co-chair, Margaret Ann Morgan, said the Rebel Black Bear was supported due to its Mississippi connection, appeal to children, timelessness, and uniqueness to the SEC.
The decision comes after an eight-month process that began in February, when students voted to select a new on-field mascot. The process was student-led and involved input from the entire Ole Miss community and votes from students, faculty, staff, and season ticket holders.
Not everyone is happy however. Some students say they don’t feel their voice was heard.
“I don’t know where that came from. I actually chose the shark, and I really don’t know the history, or where the bear came from. I prefer the shark, and I wish it’d be something other than the bear,” said accounting major Robbie Murphy.
Others were indifferent.
“I don’t really have strong feeling towards any of them, but I think I could get behind the bear as well as any other mascot.” Said accounting major Robbie Murphy.
Psychology major Kyle Henry mirrored her thoughts.
“I don’t really have strong feelings toward any of them. The bear wasn’t my favorite, but I think it is something that could gain support behind it and gain a meaning and really attach itself to Ole Miss.”
Chancellor Dan Jones accepted the mascot recommendation and has turned the matter over to the Athletics department to bring the new mascot to life.
Athletics Director Pete Boone said that Ole Miss Athletics will now be responsible for implementing the decision. Boone says that the two main goals of the mascot implementation is to complement the experience at all athletics events and create a lasting connection between Ole Miss and children, the future of the Ole Miss Rebels.
Boone also said that the mascot will not be launched until 2011 due to the need to create a costume and train someone to serve as the first mascot.
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