Photo by Marlee Crawford
Associated Student Body President Dion Kevin III announced a campus-wide vote to change the Black Bear mascot to the Landshark. The option to vote for the Landshark will be on the Personality Elections ballot next Tuesday. The ballot also includes the candidates for Mr. and Miss Ole Miss, Homecoming Queen, maids and campus favorites.
Here is Kevin’s full statement:
My fellow Rebels,
The University of Mississippi is an institution built on tradition, marked by symbols of school spirit like Hotty Toddy, Swayze Crazy, Club Red, the Walk of Champions, and Fins Up.
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.
On September 26th, we will all have the chance to leave a legacy of unity and excitement in a referendum vote in this year’s Fall Election. Be a part of this unifying, student driven movement and make the Landshark the official on-field mascot of the Ole Miss Revels by voting “YES” on your ballot next Tuesday.
I support the Landshark, and I am an Ole Miss Rebel.
Hotty Toddy!
Dion Kevin III, ASB President
