University of Mississippi is Looking for a New School Mascot

The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is trying to find a new mascot. The old Ole Miss Rebel mascot, Colonel Rebel, has been banished since 2003. After a recent vote on campus, the students will be given the opportunity to have input on the new school mascot. According to "The Oxford Eagle," the Student Leadership Advisory will put together a committee of students to set some guidelines for choosing a new mascot.

Old Colonel Reb had been pretty much a part of Ole Miss since the 1930s, but I guess like many people in the work force, he is now in the unemployment line. I sort of feel sorry for the old boy because I really don't see a lot of opportunities available around this area for him. I guess he could work at Walmart as a door greeter if all else fails. He could welcome shoppers with his customary, "Hey, Ma'am, how 'ya doing?" or "Come right on in here, son."

Since I really haven't seen much of the Colonel after he left the University, he may have been able to retire, but I seriously doubt it. I suspect a Colonel's living expenses are pretty steep, and to be honest, most of the retirees I know with the Mississippi state retirement system, aren't able to live too high on the hog.

Since Colonel Reb's retirement, the University has been without a mascot. I think a few things have been thrown around, but nothing seems to stick. Ole Miss alumni are wonderful people, but they are very loyal to their tradition. Several of the changes in the past few years, such as instituting a new school flag and giving up "From Dixie with Love," a traditional song played at football games, have been really hard for them to swallow. But all in all, they want what's best for the University, so they're adjusting slowly.

I'm not sure what the qualifications will be for a new mascot, but it could be an interesting job. I figure you don't have to worry about your hair and makeup because no one's going to see you anyway in whatever costume they choose. You can irritate and mess with people all over the stadium because everyone will think it's in fun. I mean, it might have a few good points. Probably doesn't pay much, though, and then again, it's pretty much a part-time job. Besides, job security s not all that good either, because look what they did to Colonel Rebel after all these years.

I will be curious to see who or what the mascot will be in the future. My opinion is that the students should come up with something very clever. I mean, it is called Ole Miss. Why not have someone like Aunt Lottie stroll out there on the field? I suggested it to her, but she vetoed it quickly and said, "Ain't nobody gonna' label me old anything."

Oh, well, good luck to them anyway.

Sources:

The Oxford Eagle Newspaper