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Page 19 text:
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TT REBEL ONS, LANDSHARKS AND BEARS? (OH MY!) The controversial mascot development process polarizes the community K Uncomfortable tension silenced the crowd of students, alumni and fans that had formed outside the student union the afternoon of Feb. 23, 2010. On one side stood those seeking change seven years after former university ' mascot Colonel Reb was removed from the sidelines of aught-Hemingway stadium. In fierce opposition stood those who either sought the colonel ' s return, or simply wanted the school to remain without a mascot as it had since 2003. Nearly 3,000 students voted in that day ' s referendum, spearheaded by the Associated Student Body, wWch asked whether or not the student body wanted to develop a new mascot. Many were con inced smdents were either too apathetic or too nostalgic for the ghosts of traditions past to vote for a new sideline symbol, particularly in the land where old times are not easily forgotten. However, 74 percent of students who voted were more than ready to move on, resulting in a controversial student-led development process prompting eight months of discussion over Uons, landsharks and racially ambiguous athletes. Weeks of preliminary voting eliminated many initial concepts, including a riverboat - 5-
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Page 20 text:
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pilot, a horse and a blues musician, undl the final selections were made, leaving voters to choose between the Landshark (an unofficial mascot started by members of the football team during the 2008 season), Hotty Toddy Superfan (a gray-colored, faceless athlete) and the Black Bear. After 13,365 students, faculty staff, alumni and season ticket holders chimed in, the final decision had been made in October 2010, prompting those to either lovingly embrace or furiously reject the Rebel Black Bear. Local politician Travis Childers found himself on the receiving end of booing students when shouting Go Rebel Black Bears at an on- campus rally the day the results were released. Other smdents around campus wondered what a black bear had to do with Ole Miss. The Mascot Committee explained that President Teddy Roosevelt, who refused to kill a black bear on a hunt in Mississippi in 1902, inspired the concept of the bear. The committee also drew a connection to Oxford ' s own William Faulkner and his novella, The Bear. We selected the Rebel Black Bear because it was supported through the entire process and was the lead runner in the fmal poU, said Margaret Ann Morgan, co-chair of the Mascot Selection Committee. Chancellor Dan Jones said he was impressed with the students ' effort to involve all areas of the Ole Miss community. I want to thank the students who have served on the Rebel Mascot Selection Committee for their hard work and leadership, he said. Led by the Ole Miss Athletics Department, plans immediately began to bring the black bear concept to life. Michael Thompson, senior associate athletics director, will chosen to lead the mascot embodiment campaign. He said that there will be much to do to make the black bear come aUve, as well as many aspects to consider in making this mascot part of the Ole Miss community. The athletics department wiU overlook the process of the creation of a mascot costume, recruiting and training someone to serve as the first mascot, and selecting a 2011 launch venue and date. We know that the new mascot has to complement the experience at all athletics events and create a lasting connection benveen Ole Miss and children, our future Ole Miss Rebels, Thompson said. I Story BLAIR JACKSON
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