But there is a little bit of pressure about image. Strupper wrote a story on October 8, 1930, describing Alabama's college football team after watching them pound Mississippi, 64-0, on October 4. He's still one of the most unique mascots in college football. "It's special to the kids that relate to him," Gaddy said. 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. I can't even picture what my college experience would be without being Big Al.". [1], Despite the nickname, it would be nearly five decades before Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. The Alabama elephant is the state animal of Alabama. 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 tradition continues to this day, with fans often bringing their own elephants to games or buying them from vendors outside the stadium. That does get problematic for our September games that are upwards of 98 degrees. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It's just a small little tradition that not a lot of people know about probably. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Webster: "We probably have people that range from 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-2 is the tallest we've had. [Related: VIDEO: Ole Miss streaker gets leveled by security]. Webster: "You can. The Million Dollar Band performing at a football game. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. We do get a little bit of scholarship money just because we do so much for the university. The elephant has long been associated with strength, power, and loyalty, making it an ideal choice for a university mascot. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. Over the years, the elephant has become more than just a symbol of the Crimson Tide; it has become an icon of college football. "Once that's over, he runs the team out. The name was inspired by the teams raw power and strength on the field. Why Is An Elephant Alabamas Mascot? But it would be nearly five decades until Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. Webster: "It's fun. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. Finally, elephants are social animals that live in close-knit herds. We also have 'Elephant Stomp' which is at Gorgas Library. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped the Alabama varsity. Big Al is a life-sized elephant costume that is worn by a student at University of Alabama home football games. 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. The first shift is Quad. It just takes some practice, for sure. 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. Crimson Tide fans are okay with that. From there, we drive back to the stadium and the next person gets in the suit. We both went to the tryout together. Ill also be discussing why an elephant was chosen as the Tides mascot, and what it represents for the team and its fans. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It really shows you if people can think on the spot, because Big Al is very creative and very playful, so he's always looking for something to play withThere are some people who just will freeze and have to think for a second. 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. You get to make everyone's day. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. Your IP: 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. What is cardinal color? Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15f357a85d190a How much does a 8 week old cocker spaniel weight? 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? The first elephant to be associated with the team was actually a live animal, brought to games in the early 1900s. We're actually athletes at the university just as much as a cheerleader is. The Elephant Story. Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. It was heartwarming because I myself was crying in suit as I was talking to these children -- or, interacting. (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up. We always say if you can see the camera, Big Al is looking somewhere else. Trey Dickey is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama, studying creative media and communications studies. Being Big Al isn't as easy as it looks, however. 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?' Both sexes have tusks, which are modified upper incisors. Additional troubleshooting information here. The more you return and the more you dedicate to the program, the more you get in scholarship money. . This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. So Big Al wearing his white jersey is a part of that tradition. Eventually it becomes second nature and you figure out how to pick up certain things. That's really the payment. Finally, elephants have long memories, which is a fitting metaphor for university alumni who remember their time at UA fondly. Dickey: "I'm not actually sure why, but it's just always been the thing that Big Al does. Needless to say, Alabama opponents in the SEC aren't nearly as fond of seeing the Crimson Tide's elephant mascot. The fourth quarter is kind of important to Alabama fans in general. The team went on to be named National Champions, according to rolltide.com. But the same students that worshipped the Bear persisted, and he finally relented in the late 1970s. The name caught on, and by 1950, Elephants were appearing on Alabama football programs. 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. If it's a close game he won't body surf, because we don't wanna count our chickens.". So Quad is everything that happens before Big Al even arrives in the stadium. 3y ago. The no thumbs -- that takes some getting used to. It's almost like thatBig Al is just the best. On October 8, 1930, sports writer Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal wrote a story of the Alabama-Mississippi game he had witnessed in Tuscaloosa four days earlier. and kind of ran onto the field and all was goodthankfully nothing too bad.". 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. 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. 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. 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. More than 40 years since Big Al earned the stamp of approval, he's still spreading spirit at Bryant-Denny Stadium and other Alabama athletics events. I'm here to make Big Al proud.' He's a very unconventional mascot in general. The biggest part that we do as a team is we work out. 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. Q: What was the process of becoming Big Al? 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. How hot is it? The tradition of an elephant mascot continued for many years, with various live animals appearing at games and even marching in parades. We're not just some kid that's dressing up. He'll come out and do the fourth quarter things, the traditions. 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. I don't know how else to put it.". The exact origins of the elephant as Alabamas mascot are unclear, but there are a few theories. The first elephant to represent the Crimson Tide was actually a live animal, brought to games to lead the team onto the field. That person will go back into the locker room and the next Big Al will come out for the first quarter. It kind of symbols a sign of 'we made it, let's finish this.' When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. Q: Are people allowed to know that you're Big Al? Pregame, you're in charge of marching the band out on to the field. "It was the first time that I had seen it and the size of the entire eleven nearly knocked me cold, men that I had seen play last year looking like they had nearly doubled in size.". Nothing about No. Even though the elephant served as a symbol for the team, it took decades for the Big Al mascot to come to fruition. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. What gives? 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. The elephant, named John Heisman, after the famous coach, was a big hit with students and fans. In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game. Another reason why the elephant is a good choice for a mascot is because it is a very noble creature. So at halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a costume that Big Al will wear. Bryant was Alabama's football coach and athletic director, not to mention a legendary figure that Crimson Tide fans would never cross. Everyone puts their fours in the air. Dickey: "Oh yeah, Big Al is one of my best friends. Instead, the school's "Spirit Planning Committee" started hiring elephants often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa for every homecoming. 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