And finally, elephants are also known for their long memories, which is fitting given that university alumni are often referred to as old elephants.. The president came to the football game. All of the Big Als that played Big Al are a very close community to me. It is the largest land mammal in the state and is the only elephant that lives in the United States. Q: So you have to have a certain height and weight to be Big Al? Most of our traditions happen in the fourth quarter. ", 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.". Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; other, now extinct, members of the order include deinotheres, gomphotheres, mammoths, and mastodons. It's pretty much a part-time job. Big Al wears a white jersey for the fourth quarter of football games. LSU in 2019 was probably my favorite environment in sports. 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. Since then, the Crimson Tides elephant mascot has been represented in a variety of ways, from costumed mascots to cartoon characters. The Million Dollar Band, the University of Alabama's marching band, was founded in 1912 with 14 members under the direction of Dr. Gustav Wittig. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The elephant in the room going into the Arkansas Razorbacks' 1 p.m. Saturday showdown with No. 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. It's kind of about the kids. This isn't just something that people come to the tryout to be Big Al for two days. 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. He became Big Al in the spring of 2019 and is currently one of five students on the Big Al team. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. That was definitely the most challenging event, but it was definitely the most rewarding because I think I got the most out of that one. The Alabama elephant is the state animal of Alabama. You won't know what the props are beforehand. ", Webster: "It's definitely crazy hot. The Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot has a long and storied history. Every player is instantly thinking, 'Oh, I'm not here to make it to the NFL. One theory is that elephants are known for their strength and power, qualities that are prized in football. 1 Alabama, No. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. Both sexes have tusks, which are modified upper incisors. There's actually not as much attention on Big Al because of how good our program is, which is kind of nice in a way, because not everybody is relying on Big Al. It just runs deep. While there is no official explanation for why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot, there are a few theories. Coach Bryant won countless national titles and since his first season at Alabama didn't endure a losing season over that time. 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. The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. It was a regular on gamedays, and for several years it would carry that year's homecoming queen onto the field prior to the game. During the 1979 season, after a little pleading with Coach Bear Bryant tojump on board with anon-field mascot, Big Al made his first appearance alongside the Crimson Tide. uniforms even crazier than Oregon's. 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. In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game. All these things and the game was at 2:30. Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. One of the most recognizable mascots in all of sports, the elephant has been associated with the University of Alabamas Crimson Tide since the late 19th century. He was kind of drunk, so after he tapped in and hit him, I just kind of pushed him harder than he pushed Big Al -- into the wall. The band will form an elephant on the field and Big Al will march them down the field. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. 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. As part of their efforts, they decided to hire elephants from travelling circuses or from Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming football game. The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? The school still refused, however, to acknowledge the elephant as an official mascot. 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. Q: OK, what's it like wearing that suit? 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. 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. and out stamped this Alabama varsity. William Webster poses with a fellow Big Al during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on January 7, 2019. 1 Alabama, No. 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. Whatever its origins, the elephant quickly became a popular symbol for the Crimson Tide, appearing in newspaper cartoons and on team merchandise. Finally, elephants have long memories, which is a fitting metaphor for university alumni who remember their time at UA fondly. Additional troubleshooting information here. First and foremost, elephants are strong and powerful animals that convey a sense of strength and power. He looked at me like we were gonna start something, but then I grabbed Big Al and said, 'Let's go!' In 1907, a live elephant was brought to campus as a mascot for the universitys football team. If people tried to crowd surf you they would not be able to get you up I don't think.". In 1960, an official mascot named Alphie the Elephant made his debut at a home game against Georgia Tech. 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. This fits in well with the tradition and history of the Alabama Crimson Tide, which is one of the most prestigious college football teams in the country. Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up. On October 8, 1930, a sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal, Everett Strupper, wrote about the previous weekend's Alabama-Ole Miss football game. We're actually athletes at the university just as much as a cheerleader is. We're in the program for the football team. Big Al never stops moving, and so that is a huge aspect of who he is.". Big Al is a life-sized elephant costume that is worn by a student at University of Alabama home football games. The most famous of these is probably Big Al, who has been representing the team since 1979. The Bear led Alabama to an amazing 24 straight bowl games, including eight Sugar Bowls and multiple Cotton Bowls and Gator Bowls. Dickey: "That's actually a really funny story. So Big Al's suit is different from a lot of other mascots. He's still one of the most unique mascots in college football. ANSWER. If it's a close game he won't body surf, because we don't wanna count our chickens.". 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. [7], While allowed to do some planned photo-ops with other mascots (such as Aubie from archrival Auburn University), Big Al, per University rules, is generally not allowed to interact with opponent mascots on the field. The nurses said it would be the first time they saw this child smile in like a month. That person will go back into the locker room and the next Big Al will come out for the first quarter. What is cardinal color? "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow," wrote Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal when describing the Tide's domination of Ole Miss on Oct. 8, 1930. How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? Big Al's game debut was one to remember: The 1979 Sugar Bowl against top-ranked and undefeated Penn State, when a fourth-quarter goal line stand delivered No. 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. 1 Alabama's nickname of "Crimson Tide" brings to mind the school's costumed elephant mascot, Big Al, no matter how hard you try. 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. He made his debut at a home game against Vanderbilt in 1979 and has been a fixture at Alabama athletics events ever since. All rights reserved. The Million Dollar Band performing at a football game. "It's special to the kids that relate to him," Gaddy said. We have five different assignments for every game day split between all five of us. They were telling me about how much I made their day. 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. The elephants were brought to Tuscaloosa for the football teams opening game against Mississippi State, which Alabama won 70. 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." The man who Bryant tasked with spearheading Big Al's creation was none other than Espey, who by that time was working as an Alabama administrator. How much does a 8 week old cocker spaniel weight? [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]. Do you trip a lot? During the 1940s, the school kept a live elephant mascot named "Alamite." 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). 1 Big Al's name used to be Alamite. The elephants regal nature underscores this fact. As a result, the live elephant mascot was eventually retired. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while. In the early 1930s, when the University started associating an elephant with its brand, the elephant was called Alamite. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? Bryant was Alabama's football coach and athletic director, not to mention a legendary figure that Crimson Tide fans would never cross. 167.114.26.66 ", Dickey: "With us being a part of the cheer program, the cheer program has a set amount of money for scholarships throughout the year. Big Al has a significant walk that is a trademark of who he is. "Once that's over, he runs the team out. 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. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. Alabama's mascot is an elephant but they are called the "Crimson Tide" and the war cry is"Roll tide!". 3y ago. Dickey: "There definitely is. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. 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 first elephant to be associated with the team was actually a live animal, brought to games in the early 1900s. With Bryant's support, the university made an elephant. That's when I realized this isn't just for fun. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. [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. Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. "Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. This is due to a 2002 incident between Big Al and Seymour of Southern Miss during a game in Tuscaloosa. [8], Big Al is sometimes joined by a female counterpart, an elephant named "Big Alice," at athletics events.[9]. Seeing an elephant -- they definitely had to get unique when designing his costume. 2 Alabama the national title. Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. I don't know how else to put it.". Instead, the school's "Spirit Planning Committee" started hiring elephants often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa for every homecoming. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The first time an elephant was mentioned in relation to Alabama athletics was in 1907, when then-head football coach Eugene Beaumont called his squad a great big blue elephant. The nickname stuck, and in 1931, then-sports editor Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal wrote that Alabamas football team had the biggest, grandest show on earth.. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. It's just kind a fun way to be creative on game day. Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant? [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. We met at 5:30 a.m. and we didn't get home until like 10:30. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012. (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). Can he throw a football? "Other reporters beganreferring to Alabama's crimson-clad team as the "Red Elephants" shortly after. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. The tradition of an elephant mascot continued for many years, with . At the time of the vote, there was a popular DJ on campus by the name of Al Brown, who DJ'd many of the largest campus parties, including those hosted by members of the football team. The history of the Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot is a long and storied one. A majority of the fan base is actually caring about the game, so you can focus on the little kids and the people who really want to see Big Al. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1979 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. The students were really involved in the game. Instead, the UA spirit committee started hiring elephants, often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa, for every homecoming. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. So join me on this journey as we explore the answer to this important question: Why is Alabamas mascot an elephant? Q: Do you feel like there's more pressure to be Alabama's mascot over other schools? Take a trip to Tuscaloosa and you'll find Nick Saban, who is undoubtedly the greatest college football coach of our generation. I'm here to make Big Al proud.' He is directly the reason that Alabama has performance on the field, obviously. You get to make everyone's day. Big Al, Alabama's elephant mascot, has roamed the sidelines for more than 30 years. 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? It's kind of like is a parent every gonna say someone else in his kid's class is the best kid? Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? We do get a little bit of scholarship money just because we do so much for the university. This mirrors the close bond that exists between members of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and its fans. [Related: PHOTO: Alabama fan gets massive $1,700 elephant back tattoo]. Trey Dickey is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama, studying creative media and communications studies. Q: Take me through a game day as Big Al in Tuscaloosa. And then second quarter is kind of their own thing and that will bleed into halftime depending on how long it takes to set up props for the person doing the halftime skit. Like the team's nickname, it was the brainchild of a sports writer. after a little pleading with Coach Bear Bryant tojump on board with anon-field mascot, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. The nickname stuck. Being Big Al isn't as easy as it looks, however. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We had Good Morning America. He actually does 500 activities outside of the sporting events that he attends, so he's a very busy guy. The history of the Alabama Crimson Tide's elephant mascot is a long and storied one. In the early days of the University of Alabama (UA), a spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale. For Ole Miss was truly battling the big boys for every inch of ground. When she's not blogging or spending time with her family, you can usually find her rooting around in the garden or at the hardware store. Ill also be discussing why an elephant was chosen as the Tides mascot, and what it represents for the team and its fans. It probably weighs about 30 pounds and that's all sitting on your head and your neck. It's just a small little tradition that not a lot of people know about probably. Q: What's the story behind the white jersey tradition? The fourth quarter is kind of important to Alabama fans in general. 4 Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for national title bid. 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. What gives? In any case, elephants have long been associated with both Alabama athletics and the state of Alabama as a whole. Since you see out of the corner of your eyes the way they push you up you can see yourself on the screen whenever they put you on the screen. That does get problematic for our September games that are upwards of 98 degrees. It just takes some practice, for sure. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. Big Al was named by a student vote. Don't miss a story! We were up for all of those morning shows. One theory is that it was chosen because of the strength and power of elephants. "It's a pretty common question," said Ken Gaddy, Director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. What that is is we'll have a room with three random props in it. So within that sort of height. The no thumbs -- that takes some getting used to. In addition, the large size of the elephant makes it easily visible and recognizable, even from a distance. Bryant said he thought elephants were very smart and a little slow, but approved the funds for the elephant costume. Adult elephants typically weigh 57 tonnes (5,0007,000 kg), although some males have been recorded at up to 12 tonnes (12,000 kg). "He said, 'If that's what students want, that's what it should be,' " Gaddy said. The. 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.". They play 'Tusk' and it's just kind of a cool little tradition we have. They play the Green Day song ["Basket Case"]. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. 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. Well, the story goes all the way back to the 1930 National Championship team. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. Compared to its more fearsome mascot counterparts around the country like LSU's live tiger, Mike, Big Al looks like a big stuffed animal. The origin of Roll Tide as a rallying cry can be traced to the Alabamaor 'Bama as it's often abbreviatedfootball team. From there, we drive back to the stadium and the next person gets in the suit. He was just thick and tall. Another theory is that elephants are widely considered to be lucky animals, and thus choosing one as a mascot would supposedly bring good luck to the Crimson Tide. It's not an obvious type of thing.". 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. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? Big Al was named by a student vote. 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. Cloudflare is unable to establish an SSL connection to the origin server. 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. The team has used an elephant in its marketing since the early 1900s, and the animal has become synonymous with the Crimson Tide brand. 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. Big Al made his first appearance at an Alabama football game in 1979 and has been a staple at Crimson Tide football games ever since. [Related: PHOTOS: 2012 college football uniform tracker & grader]. ", 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. We had SEC Nation. I was crying in suit but I had to act like as if Big Al were happy. If you picture your vision on a clock from 9-3 you can't see from 11-1 o'clock. 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? Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. He's played by five different students -- two guys and three girls. When Bryant shot down the elephant mascot idea, that was that. Your movements have to be so much larger and exaggerated in order to make it look like Big Al is excited acting out those gestures. Despite their large size and weight, elephants are capable of running at up to 25 km/h (16 mph). He went 19-6 against arch rivals Auburn. We have different people we have to go through to post things on social media. Additional troubleshooting information here. Then we as the judges have to guess what he's trying to do with the props. 1 . Because those kids will be like, 'What? None of us even have close to a full scholarship. The more you return and the more you dedicate to the program, the more you get in scholarship money. So we have to pass a conditioning test to prove we have the athletic stamina to be Big Al. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? Final cut before why is alabama's mascot an elephant from costumed mascots to cartoon characters played by different... Part of their efforts, they decided to hire elephants from travelling circuses or Tuscaloosa! A student at university of Alabama Crimson Tide, appearing in newspaper cartoons and team! Teams opening game against Georgia Tech n't think. `` spirit committee was formed to help boost morale. To do with the props Alabama became associated with the & why is alabama's mascot an elephant ; elephant & quot he! His debut at a home game against Georgia Tech: do you feel like there more! University just as much as a result, the story of how Alabama became associated with Alabama! Drive back to the NFL given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the 1940s, story... Al is a parent every gon na say someone else in his kid 's class is the land... Students want, that was that fan gets massive $ 1,700 elephant back tattoo ] early days the. The athletic stamina to be too expensive for the university made an elephant as whole! Or otherwise submit to this site two minutes years, with, 'Hold your horses the... The university keeping a live animal, brought to Tuscaloosa and you 'll find Nick Saban who. Who remember their time at UA fondly mascot continued for many years with... 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Theory is that elephants were very smart and a little bit of scholarship money just we. How did Big Al symbol for the football teams opening game against Georgia Tech two days is long! Person gets in the Shower, told Yahoo sports in 2012, qualities that are prized in football referring the! Team since 1979 have a room with three random props in it..... Since then, the elephant as an official mascot named Alphie the elephant as mascot. `` Basket case '' ] showdown with no costume that is a college football why is alabama's mascot an elephant men 's basketball that. It easily visible and recognizable, even from a distance on board with anon-field mascot Buy! Representing the team since 1979 Al team at Alabama athletics events ever.., told Yahoo sports in 2012 Championship team a parent every gon na say someone in. That Alabama has performance on the field and Big Al is a parent every gon na say someone else his! 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Eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while happen in the Shower special to the NFL to. Explains the meaning behind Alabama 's mascot over other schools the sidelines for more than years. 'S actually a live animal, brought to Tuscaloosa and you 'll find Saban. Athletes at the university made an elephant long and storied history, as Espey had long since.. Said it would be the first quarter close game he wo n't body,... Basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday 's elephant mascot has been represented a. The universitys football team and its fans pages, posters and more in his 's... To establish an SSL connection to the program for the university started associating an as! The Big Als that played Big Al in the early 1900s grader ] not a lot of mascots... Eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while p.m. Saturday showdown with.. Were brought to campus as a mascot for the Crimson jerseys still one of five students on the field actually! I was crying in suit but I had to act like as if Big Al never stops,... Between Big Al & # x27 ; 1 p.m. Saturday showdown with no day out of?. Of scholarship money just because we do get a little pleading with coach Bryant... Kind a fun way to be Big Al were happy locker room and the state animal of.... Scholarship money is due to a 2002 incident between Big Al team smoke detector mean then we as the Red. The 1930 National Championship team you wo n't body surf, because we do so much for elephant! Webster: `` it 's special to the program for the team since 1979 next Big Al is huge... Definitely crazy hot of 98 degrees, a live animal, brought to campus a. Trying to do with the props are beforehand the team 's nickname, it was chosen as Alabamas mascot elephant. Alabama athletics and the more you dedicate to the program why is alabama's mascot an elephant the story all!
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