After 65 years a redneck icon has become an endangered species.
Colonel Reb has symbolized many things to many people on the sidelines at the University of Mississippi.
University officials sent the Colonel to KFC in May because of symbolic ties to Antebellum Mississippi. The decision outraged Rebel fans.
According to press releases issued by the Colonel Reb Foundation, a non-profit student-led organization, 5,000 fans sported “Colonel Reb is my Mascot” stickers at the Rebels Aug. 30 opening game at Vanderbilt.
A day later the foundation blamed the Colonel’s absence for the UM ticket office having 2,400 student season tickets remaining.
At press time, the UM athletics Web site had 1,793 student tickets unsold.
Today, UM students will not only be electing Associated Student Body Senators, they will also have the opportunity for a yes-no ballot on whether Colonel Reb should be replaced.
If Col. Reb is relieved of his duties, Mississippi will need a new mascot.
I came up with a few suggestions that may help bridge the relationship between students and university officials and still embody the essence of our neighbors to the north.
The University of Mississippi …
* Sponges–soft and porous, just like the football team’s defense
* J Crewers–because how you look is all that matters
* Politicians–they already think they are the world’s greatest everything
* Governor’s favorites–not much change will be required
* Broken records–permastuck on annoying renditions of Hotty Toddy
* Titanics–the basketball team sure hit an iceberg last winter
* Bourbon bottles–they already appear at every home game anyway
* North Mississippi All-Stars–oh wait, that one is taken
* Faulkners–why not be proud of a ‘family tradition’
* Heisman Wanna-bees–Eli can become the mascot after this season
Craig Peters is a teaching/coaching and sports communication major. He can be reached at [email protected].