why is alabama's mascot an elephant02 Apr why is alabama's mascot an elephant
The gray, anthropomorphic elephant has been the team's official mascot since 1979, when Bear Bryant finally approved the trunked animal despite a history that dates back to 1930. We always say if you can see the camera, Big Al is looking somewhere else. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. The History of the Alabama Crimson Tide's Elephant Mascot. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. We both went to the tryout together. The mascot made its debut in the 1980 Sugar Bowl, but the first student to don the elephant costume was Melford Espey Jr.22 Sept 2021. Big Al walks in to the room and he has to interact with the props in multiple different ways, but he can't use any of the props for their intended purpose. Big Al is the costumed mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Big Al, Alabama's elephant mascot, has roamed the sidelines for more than 30 years. Bryant was very easy to talk to and teased them about having a real elephant on the field and the mess it would make. The mascot made its debut in the 1980 Sugar Bowl, but the first student to don the elephant costume was Melford Espey Jr.22 Sept 2021 Why do they say Roll Tide in Alabama? Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We put people in suit for different rounds. The best experience I ever had as Big Al was when I was at a children's hospital. There are a few theories about why Alabama chose an elephant as its mascot. ", Webster: "I think it's on the website too but if a corporate company wants Big Al its $400 to the university. A self-taught DIYer, Tammy loves nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home. Every player is instantly thinking, 'Oh, I'm not here to make it to the NFL. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. It's just a great opportunity for Big Al to stand out because all of our players are going to be wearing red every home game. And in the early 1960s, Alabama student Melford Espey went the extra mile and dressed up as the animal to cheer on his beloved team. A young woman attending the ball decided to wear crimson to match those colors. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? The Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant because the UA spirit committee began hiring elephants from travelling circuses or Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming. The team went on to be named National Champions, according to rolltide.com. Hugh Roberts, sports editor for the Birmingham Age-Herald, is widely credited as being the first to use "Crimson Tide" to refer to Alabama's football team. You see a lot of tigers, a lot of dogs. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. Unmatched in size that Alabama team knocked me [out] cold, men that I had seen play last year looking like they had nearly doubled in size." He looked at me like we were gonna start something, but then I grabbed Big Al and said, 'Let's go!' The gray, anthropomorphic elephant has been the team's official mascot since 1979, when Bear Bryant finally approved the trunked animal despite a history that dates back to 1930. In 1979, he was meeting with the homecoming chairman, Ann Paige, as they were trying to come up with something different for the school's homecoming parade. We have a round that is just the walk. The biggest thing to look for in someone who wants to be a Big Al is are they creative enough to think on the spot and are they animated enough? Why do Alabama fans say Roll Tide? The elephant is also very large, which makes it an imposing figure that can be seen from far away. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Q: So you have to have a certain height and weight to be Big Al? Since funding for the costume would have to come from the athletic department, Tart and Paige set up a meeting with Coach Bryant, who was the football coach and athletic director of the University. The tradition of an elephant mascot continued for many years, with various live animals appearing at games and even marching in parades. Is Alabama's mascot an elephant? The other guy who was there was Big Al, and this one dude came up and started pushing on Big Al. Big Al has not always been our mascot's name. But the history of the Crimson Tide's mascot began decades earlier at an Alabama-Ole Miss football game. You can never see straight in front of you, so when we're taking pictures you always have to put the camera in that blind spot. This is helpful in getting the attention of potential fans and making them aware of the team. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. Nonetheless, a student in a doe-eyed elephant costume struts his stuff at every Bama home game, having become a fixture at one of the states proudest institutions. If it's a close game he won't body surf, because we don't wanna count our chickens.". Why Did Alabama Pick an Elephant as a Mascot Alabama, like most universities, chose an animal as their mascot to represent their school. Although Big Al . How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. Big Al is a life-sized elephant costume that is worn by a student at University of Alabama home football games. From there, we drive back to the stadium and the next person gets in the suit. That person will go back into the locker room and the next Big Al will come out for the first quarter. Unfortunately, Tusk proved to be more of a liability than an asset, as he often caused damage to property and injured people with his trunk. Females carry their young for a gestation period of 22 months; calves are fully weaned at around 36 years old but remain closely associated with their mothers until around 10 years old. [Related: PHOTOS: 2012 college football uniform tracker & grader]. Q: I'm guessing you fell in love with it. Why is Alabama's mascot "Big Al" an elephant, you ask? It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while. "Coach (Bear) Bryant thought it was not representative of football players," Gaddy said. Webster: "Oh, Big Al. A "fight" was scripted before the game, in which the rules were that Big Al loses the fight in front of the visitors section, and Big Al dominates in front of his student section. The Alabama elephant is the state animal of Alabama. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? elephants are also known for their loyalty, which is another trait that makes them well-suited to being a mascot for the Alabama Crimson Tide. How did the audition go? Why is alabama's mascot an elephant? Like the team's nickname, it was the brainchild of a sports writer. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Whatever its origins, the elephant quickly became a popular symbol for the Crimson Tide, appearing in newspaper cartoons and on team merchandise. William Webster spent four years as Big Al from 2018 to 2021. How much does a 8 week old cocker spaniel weight? ANSWER. And Big Al's been an omnipresent fixture on the Crimson Tide sidelines ever since. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. With Bryant's support, the university made an elephant. The Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot is one of the most recognizable symbols in college football. The next person's assignment is pregame and halftime. The origin of Roll Tide as a rallying cry can be traced to the Alabamaor 'Bama as it's often abbreviatedfootball team. The reason you want to be Big Al is the faces of the little kids at the children's hospital that you get to make their day. So join me on this journey as we explore the answer to this important question: Why is Alabamas mascot an elephant? The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. Dickey: "There definitely is. So if it's a pretty day and it's only about 70 degrees, it's probably around 100-110 degrees inside the suit. The African elephant is larger than its Asian counterpart and has larger ears. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. The elephants regal nature underscores this fact. Since the early 1900s, the University of Alabama has been associated with the elephant. We were up for all of those morning shows. The varsity team was composed of big men, & when they ran out onto the field, the bleachers shook. The mascot represents the strength and power of the Crimson Tide, and its presence on the sidelines is a source of inspiration for the teams players. I don't think our team performs as well if Big Al doesn't get the fans into it. By contacting the University of Kentucky and a few other schools, Tart discovered that their mascots were designed and constructed by the Walt Disney Company. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. You get to make everyone's day. The school still refused, however, to acknowledge the elephant as an official mascot. [1], Despite the nickname, it would be nearly five decades before Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. "Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. Photo courtesy of William Webster. So within that sort of height. Dickey: "We try to keep it a secret for the most part, because we don't want to be on the Quad as Big Al and there be a bunch of kids around us and some drunk college student come and be like, 'Is that trey in there?' Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. Usually, if you're a first-year on the team you get a little bit less than everyone else on the team. Another theory is that the schools first football coach, Wallace Wade, had once seen a circus perform in Tuscaloosa and been impressed by the elephants. 1 . Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? Both sexes have tusks, which are modified upper incisors. Most of our traditions happen in the fourth quarter. 4 Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for national title bid, Jonah Williams: 3 things to know about Alabama football's offensive tackle, Mack Wilson: 5 things to know about the Alabama football linebacker, Quinnen Williams: 4 things to know about the Alabama football defensive tackle, Raekwon Davis: 4 things to know about the Alabama football defensive lineman, Paul Tyson: 5 things about Alabama football signee, Bear Bryant's great-grandson, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. After box visits, Big Al will come back in a white jersey. It's kind of like is a parent every gonna say someone else in his kid's class is the best kid? 1 Answer ANSWER The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season when Coach Wallace Wade had assembled a great football team. He's a very large person, and so usually we have people on the team that are very athletic build. After a few rounds, he got dropped. The nickname "Crimson White," then "Thin Red Line" and "Crimson Tide" stuck. They always get us to the top.". Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped the Alabama varsity. There is a story that Alabama got its colors from a ball on campus when UA was still a military school, wearing gray, black and white uniforms. "Coach Wade started his second team that was plenty big and they went right to their knitting scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against one of the best fighting small lines that I have seen. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. All of the Big Als that played Big Al are a very close community to me. This tradition continued for many years and eventually, Melford Espey Jr., a student at UA, became the Crimson Tides official mascot by wearing an elephant head costume. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. Even the Alabama Crimson Tide's elephant mascot, Big Al, is considered the GOAT when it comes to the big, furry friends that roam college football's sidelines. Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant? Needless to say, Alabama opponents in the SEC aren't nearly as fond of seeing the Crimson Tide's elephant mascot. Every April during the weekend of the A-Day spring football game, there is a three-day tryout process for UA students who want to become Big Al. It's almost like thatBig Al is just the best. The Million Dollar Band. Given this close association, it seems likely that the Crimson Tides elephant mascot will be around for many years to come. Everyone puts their fours in the air. If there are enough students in the student section and we're ahead by enough points, Big Al will body surf up the student section, and that's always a fun experience. It's definitely not the reason to be Big Al. The mascot made its debut in the 1980 Sugar Bowl, but the first student to don the elephant costume was Melford Espey Jr.22 Sept 2021. Cloudflare is unable to establish an SSL connection to the origin server. Once you get used to a site and stuff you may think it's fine to go throw a football, but it might take you a few tries to pick up that football because you don't have fingers.". Of course, Big Al has very rigorous training to make sure that we're not going to do anything questionable.". Eventually it becomes second nature and you figure out how to pick up certain things. The president came to the football game. Even the Alabama Crimson Tide's elephant mascot, Big Al, is considered the GOAT when it comes to the big, furry friends that roam college football's sidelines. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. [Related: PHOTO: Alabama fan gets massive $1,700 elephant back tattoo]. It just takes some practice, for sure. Over time, showerheads can become clogged with deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals. It appears that the SSL configuration used is not compatible with Cloudflare. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season when Coach Wallace Wade had assembled a great football team. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. Trey Dickey is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama, studying creative media and communications studies. After originally going by "varsity," "Crimson White" (the school colors) and "The Thin Red Line," Birmingham Age-Herald sports editor Hugh Roberts coined the term "Crimson Tide" to describe 'Bama's heroic effort in holding heavily favored Auburn to a 66 tie in a mud-soaked game in 1907 that had the 'Bama players looking like a red tidal wave. That person is in charge of the first quarter and third quarter, because in the third quarter we do box visits. A sportswriter named Everett Strupper wrote about how head coach Wallace Wade's Alabama team's big and aggressive linemen resembled elephants after pounding Mississippi, 64-0. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; other, now extinct, members of the order include deinotheres, gomphotheres, mammoths, and mastodons. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Especially considering that "Crimson Tide" entered the pantheon of Alabama traditions long before elephants did. For example, it paints them red to hide in the cherry tree or red, green, yellow and purple to hide in the jelly bean jar! Tusks grow throughout an elephants lifetime; an individuals tusk length is a useful criterion for age determination as elephants reach physical maturity at around 15 years old. In 1979, he was meeting with the homecoming chairman, Ann Paige, as they were trying to come up with something different for the school's homecoming parade. So how did one of college football's blue bloods on the path to win its third national title in four years come to be represented by an animal most often associated with the circus, Dumbo and the Republican Party? In the late 1940s, student humor magazine The Rammer Jammer began referring to the Crimson Tide as Thrift Shop Elephants, a reference to the thriftiness of Alabamians. The two assured him that it was just a person in an elephant costume and not a real elephant, to which Bryant grinned and said he knew all along. 167.114.26.66 Why is the Alabama mascot an elephant? Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15f357a85d190a Henry "Zipp" Newman, who became the sports editor of the Birmingham News at the age of 25, helped popularize the nickname. Nothing about No. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. Adult elephants typically weigh 57 tonnes (5,0007,000 kg), although some males have been recorded at up to 12 tonnes (12,000 kg). 1 Alabama's nickname of "Crimson Tide" brings to mind the school's costumed elephant mascot, Big Al, no matter how hard you try. The mascot known as "Big Al" today was the brainchild of University of Alabama student Walt Tart, member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012. And the rest is history. Q: What's crowd surfing up the student section like? It's just kind a fun way to be creative on game day. It's the controversy over whether Alabama freshman phenom Brandon Miller should be playing basketball after his role in a tragedy the . Despite their large size and weight, elephants are capable of running at up to 25 km/h (16 mph). During the 1940s, the school kept a live elephant mascot named "Alamite." So we have to pass a conditioning test to prove we have the athletic stamina to be Big Al. Big Al was named by a student vote. Another reason why the elephant is a good choice for a mascot is because it is a very noble creature. We have to learn his signature, too. But there is a little bit of pressure about image. This mineral buildup can block the showerhead's water flow, preventing it from Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? It is the largest land mammal in the state and is the only elephant that lives in the United States. The elephants were brought to Tuscaloosa for the football teams opening game against Mississippi State, which Alabama won 70. Can he throw a football? In any case, elephants have long been associated with both Alabama athletics and the state of Alabama as a whole. You have to go all the way back to 1930 to find the origin of Alabama's elephant. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. We had Good Morning America. Well, the story goes all the way back to the 1930 National Championship team. He wrote, "That Alabama team of 1930 is a typical [Coach Wallace] Wade machine, powerful, big, tough, fast, aggressive, well-schooled in fundamentals, and the best blocking team for this early in the season that I have ever seen. "It's special to the kids that relate to him," Gaddy said. We also have 'Elephant Stomp' which is at Gorgas Library. 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