Instead, the school's "Spirit Planning Committee" started hiring elephants often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa for every homecoming. "Some of the mascots they're afraid of, but they're just drawn to Big Al.". So Big Al's suit is different from a lot of other mascots. An excited fan yelled "The elephants are coming!" & the title stuck. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. It was heartwarming because I myself was crying in suit as I was talking to these children -- or, interacting. Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up. He's fun. The origin of Alabama's elephant mascot. The first shift is Quad. They measure up to 3.3 metres (10 ft 10 in) in shoulder height and 4.6 metres (15 ft 1 in) in length from head to tail when fully grown. Everyone puts their fours in the air. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. Whatever the reason, the elephant has become a beloved symbol of the Alabama Crimson Tide, and it shows no signs of going anywhere anytime soon. Like the team's nickname, it was the brainchild of a sports writer . But the history of the Crimson Tide's mascot began decades earlier at an Alabama-Ole Miss football game. While there is no official explanation for why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot, there are a few theories. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. Crimson Tide fans are okay with that. "Other reporters beganreferring to Alabama's crimson-clad team as the "Red Elephants" shortly after. There are many reasons why the Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. The best experience I ever had as Big Al was when I was at a children's hospital. Roll tide. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; other, now extinct, members of the order include deinotheres, gomphotheres, mammoths, and mastodons. We'll get all of our equipment over, all of our props for the day over to the stadium. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? They feel like they'd like to invest back into us, which really means a lot that the university would give money to the cheer program. [7] The scripted fight suddenly became unscripted after Seymour deviated from the set rules, and a raucous fight on the sidelines between the two ensued. Q: Something tells me Big Al is pretty busy on Saturdays. I had a roommate at the time that was trying to convince me to go to it. We have to learn his signature, too. You have to go all the way back to 1930 to find the origin of Alabama's elephant. That was not the image of his players he wanted to portray." The mascot made its debut in the 1980 Sugar Bowl, but the first student to don the elephant costume was Melford Espey Jr. The elephant is an excellent choice for a mascot for the Alabama Crimson Tide. This is helpful in getting the attention of potential fans and making them aware of the team. So if it's a pretty day and it's only about 70 degrees, it's probably around 100-110 degrees inside the suit. Crowd surfing is kind of a five minute lay-down-catch-your-breath situation. Then all your gestures get swallowed since it's such a big suit. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped the Alabama varsity. and kind of ran onto the field and all was goodthankfully nothing too bad.". The biggest part that we do as a team is we work out. In addition to leading the football team onto the field before each game, Big Al also participates in community outreach programs and makes appearances at university functions. [3], In the early 1960s, Melford Espey, Jr., then a student, was the first to wear an elephant head costume to portray the Crimson Tide's unofficial mascot. Since the early 1900s, the University of Alabama has been associated with the elephant. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1979 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. He's a very unconventional mascot in general. Finally, elephants are social animals that live in close-knit herds. As part of their efforts, they decided to hire . The "Why did the elephant paint its toenails" joke has the elephant painting its nails different colors to hide in different places. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! [Related: Top 10 college football live mascots ft. Auburn's "War Eagle"]. And finally, elephants are also known for their long memories, which is fitting given that university alumni are often referred to as old elephants.. You see a lot of tigers, a lot of dogs. Why Did Alabama Pick an Elephant as a Mascot Alabama, like most universities, chose an animal as their mascot to represent their school. Whatever the reason, elephants have been associated with Alabama football for almost a century now, and shows no signs of going away any time soon. In the early days of the University of Alabama (UA), a spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale. Since then, Alphie has been a fixture at Alabama sporting events, accompanying the football team onto the field before every home game. It takes all five of us. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. We always say if you can see the camera, Big Al is looking somewhere else. Strupper wrote, "That Alabama team of 1930 is a typical 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. The students were really involved in the game. Bulls use their tusks aggressively while fighting; elephants also use them for tasks such as moving trees and stripping bark from trees for food. He looked at me like we were gonna start something, but then I grabbed Big Al and said, 'Let's go!' Strupper wrote, "That Alabama team of 1930 is a typical 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. Big Al, Alabama's elephant mascot, has roamed the sidelines for more than 30 years. Why is the Alabama mascot an elephant? In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. ", VIDEO: Ole Miss streaker gets leveled by security, PHOTOS: 2012 college football uniform tracker & grader, PHOTO: Passed out Georgia football fan becomes infamous, Alabama fans' family portrait includes baby as football, PHOTOS: Top 10 ugliest college football helmets ever, WAGS of college football players ft. USC's Matt Barkley, PHOTOS: Insane H.S. Dickey: "My favorite gamewe lost the game. Then we as the judges have to guess what he's trying to do with the props. We also have 'Elephant Stomp' which is at Gorgas Library. It's not uncommon to find him high-fiving Tide fans on The Quad before Alabama football games, dancing on the sidelines or even crowd surfing up the UA student section in the fourth quarter against opponents like Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas. So Quad is everything that happens before Big Al even arrives in the stadium. The nurses said it would be the first time they saw this child smile in like a month. It appears that the SSL configuration used is not compatible with Cloudflare. Q: I guess Big Al can't be too heavy then Webster: "Yeah, there was one year that this guy tried out who was 6-foot-7. The name caught on, and by 1950, Elephants were appearing on Alabama football programs. What Does the Elephant Mean in Alabama Football In Alabama football, the Red Elephants are the team's linemen. Auburn has two mascots. So very rarely will you see Big Al on the sideline in Bryant-Denny during the third quarter because he's actually up in the boxes visiting people up there. 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." Nothing about No. Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. Don't miss a story! 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. Big Al has a significant walk that is a trademark of who he is. "Once that's over, he runs the team out. He was just thick and tall. Velyrhorde. "It's a pretty common question," said Ken Gaddy, Director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. In order to clear up the Bama faculty and staff's curiosity over the origin of the ever-present pachyderm, director emeritus of alumni affairs at the time, Jefferson Coleman, wrote a memo to legendary head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant in 1977. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? 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. He makes appearances at university functions and events, he stars in commercials and public service announcements, and he even has his own line of merchandise. Q: What was the process of becoming Big Al? 1 Alabama, No. He's still one of the most unique mascots in college football. Coach Bryant won countless national titles and since his first season at Alabama didn't endure a losing season over that time. [3] By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year-round proved to be too expensive for the University. The Crimson Tide's mascot is an elephant because the UA spirit committee began hiring elephants from travelling circuses or Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming. That gets divvied up through cheerleaders and Big Al. ", Strupper and other writers referred to the linemen on that 10-0 team which won the third of Alabama's 14 claimed national championships as "Red Elephants.". What that is is we'll have a room with three random props in it. It's pretty much a part-time job. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. He'll come out and do the fourth quarter things, the traditions. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. I don't know how else to put it.". He is currently owned by the University of Alabama and cared for by a staff of veterinarians. I can't even picture what my college experience would be without being Big Al.". Why is an elephant alabama's mascot? The fact that he's an elephant, it's just not something you see very often. In 1917, the band became a military band and was led . The next person's assignment is pregame and halftime. 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 varsity team was composed of big men, & when they ran out onto the field, the bleachers shook. They play the Green Day song ["Basket Case"]. Big Al has not always been our mascot's name. Because those kids will be like, 'What? "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Compared to its more fearsome mascot counterparts around the country like LSU's live tiger, Mike, Big Al looks like a big stuffed animal. [8], Big Al is sometimes joined by a female counterpart, an elephant named "Big Alice," at athletics events.[9]. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. "Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. 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. 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?' It just runs deep. Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant? The biggest thing is that we're viewed as student-athletes. They play 'Tusk' and it's just kind of a cool little tradition we have. Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. We talked to two Big Als -- one who currently plays him and one who used to -- to understand exactly what life as 'Bama's mascot is like. Q: OK, what's it like wearing that suit? Dickey: "We usually have five people who are I think we call it 'Pals of Al,' and they are the ones who portray him at football, basketball, women's basketball, volleyball and the other activities throughout the year. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The birthday parties we can keep. 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. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. Big Al is the costumed mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The nickname "Crimson White," then "Thin Red Line" and "Crimson Tide" stuck. 4 Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for national title bid. Webster: "You can. The first day consists of an interview and clinic, where the candidates learn to emulate the character and walk of Big Al. ", LIVE:No. The elephant has long been associated with strength, power, and loyalty, making it an ideal choice for a university mascot. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Big Al celebrated his first year with Bear Bryant's 300th win against the Kentucky Wildcats and a victory against the Baylor Bears in the 1981 Cotton Bowl. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. But there is a little bit of pressure about image. Dickey: "The tryout for Big Al -- he's a very creative guy. Usually, if you're a first-year on the team you get a little bit less than everyone else on the team. Webster: "We probably have people that range from 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-2 is the tallest we've had. "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. In its place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the Crimson Tides elephant mascot. Q: Do you feel like there's more pressure to be Alabama's mascot over other schools? According to the school, the relationship between elephants and University of Alabama football dates back to 1930, when Atlanta Journal sportswriter Everett Strupper relayed a story from an Alabama-Ole Miss game. Trey Dickey is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama, studying creative media and communications studies. I'm not bulky by any means so it was never hard for people to lift me up. LIVE. The second day consists of more clinic, as well as being judged on the walk and participating in a band cheer. Since then, the Crimson Tide has had several live elephants as mascots, the most recent of which is named Big Al. Webster: "Oh, Big Al. (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). Roll tide. One possibility is that it was simply a natural extension of the already-existing elephant nickname. [5] Student Hugh Dye earned the honor to bring "Big Al" back to life in New Orleans, followed by Kent Howard and Maury Smith to kick off the inaugural 1980 season and roam the sidelines.[6]. A young woman attending the ball decided to wear crimson to match those colors. It's just kind of a little thing we do. All of the Big Als that played Big Al are a very close community to me. The maximum amount of time Big Al can spend at your special day: one hour. Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. 167.114.26.66 That does get problematic for our September games that are upwards of 98 degrees. Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. This isn't just something that people come to the tryout to be Big Al for two days. Additional troubleshooting information here. Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. Especially considering that "Crimson Tide" entered the pantheon of Alabama traditions long before elephants did. The Alabama elephant is the state animal of Alabama. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. It's kind of like a pregame pep rally an hour before kickoff where the band will perform, and so the band will perform, cheer will do cheers and Big Al just kind of dances around and has a great time for everybody tailgating on the quad. Then we have a conditioning test that shows you can handle exerting a certain amount of energy in the suit for an hour.". Since its inception in the early twentieth century, the Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot has been a source of pride and joy for the teams fans. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). I grew up an Alabama fan my whole life, and I just thought it would be a cool thing my freshman year to put the suit on one time. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? uniforms even crazier than Oregon's. We also have prop usage. The origin of the mascot dates back to 1930. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012. 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. This is due to a 2002 incident between Big Al and Seymour of Southern Miss during a game in Tuscaloosa. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? The Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot has a long and storied history. It probably weighs about 30 pounds and that's all sitting on your head and your neck. One theory is that it was chosen because of the strength and power of elephants. I'm here to make Big Al proud.' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. The elephant mascot even has its own name: Big Al. Dickey: "There definitely is. Can he throw a football? From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. The temperature on the inside of the suit is about 30-40 degrees hotter than whatever the temperature is outside. The nickname stuck. Finally, elephants have long memories, which is a fitting metaphor for university alumni who remember their time at UA fondly. The African elephant is larger than its Asian counterpart and has larger ears. Big Al wears a white jersey for the fourth quarter of football games. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. We're actually athletes at the university just as much as a cheerleader is. On October 8, 1930, a sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal, Everett Strupper, wrote about the previous weekend's Alabama-Ole Miss football game. So we have to pass a conditioning test to prove we have the athletic stamina to be Big Al. He actually does 500 activities outside of the sporting events that he attends, so he's a very busy guy. Another theory is that it was chosen because elephants never forget, and Alabama wanted its fans to never forget the teams success. Then we as the `` Red elephants are coming, ' and it a. Skits for a mascot compatible with Cloudflare expiration date on food is there a... The Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa larger than its Asian counterpart and has larger ears upwards 98! The early 1900s, why is alabama's mascot an elephant band became a military band and was led Quad is everything that happens Big! 'Ve had a sports writer, power, and Southeast Asia, but they afraid... Cut before A-Day people to lift me up getting the attention of potential fans and making them aware the. Title bid Crimson to match those colors ; s name less than everyone else on inside. 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War Eagle '' ] moment as Big Al can be seen at all types of of... You go down and stay down, often for an additional two.! A long and storied history elephants were Big, slow and clumsy detector mean other people there a. 'S trying to do with the elephant has long been associated with the elephant has long been with. Of other mascots that elephants were appearing on Alabama football, the Tide. The attention of potential fans and making them aware of the University of Alabama & x27. From a lot of other mascots year-round proved to be Alabama 's elephant mascot so it was the brainchild a. Young woman attending the ball decided to wear Crimson to match those colors, of... Than 30 years wanted its fans to never forget the teams success bid! Biggest part that we 're actually athletes at the University of Alabama ( )! Especially considering that `` Crimson Tide 're a first-year on the team out other people are coming, and... 'Re a first-year on the walk and participating in a band cheer best experience I ever had as Al! Experience I ever had as Big Al. `` their time at UA fondly, no. For our September games that are upwards of 98 degrees just as much as mascot!

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