From the players to the traditions, Alabama just does NCAA football better than any school. 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. The temperature on the inside of the suit is about 30-40 degrees hotter than whatever the temperature is outside. He'll also drop in on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $400 wedding appearance fee. One possibility is that it was simply a natural extension of the already-existing elephant nickname. There are several reasons why this is so. Crowd surfing is kind of a five minute lay-down-catch-your-breath situation. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. In 1907, a live elephant was brought to campus as a mascot for the universitys football team. Click to reveal It just takes some practice, for sure. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. "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. 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. [3] By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year-round proved to be too expensive for the University. Additional troubleshooting information here. Ill be looking at the history of elephants in Alabama, as well as their current status in the state. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. In any case, elephants have long been associated with both Alabama athletics and the state of Alabama as a whole. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. 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. It usually means they are about to get trampled. We'll take Big Al around the Quad, we'll drive him around and he'll wave to kids and everybody tailgating. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. We're in the program for the football team. Webster: "It's fun. [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]. 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. 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. Bulls use their tusks aggressively while fighting; elephants also use them for tasks such as moving trees and stripping bark from trees for food. . Aubie (a tiger) and an eagle. Big Al wears a white jersey for the fourth quarter of football games. ", 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.". Big Al is the costumed mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? Most of the time Big Al will walk with this sway and that's so we're constantly switching which eye we can see forward with. Compared to its more fearsome mascot counterparts around the country like LSU's live tiger, Mike, Big Al looks like a big stuffed animal. Big Al is just the best. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. The Bear led Alabama to an amazing 24 straight bowl games, including eight Sugar Bowls and multiple Cotton Bowls and Gator Bowls. Q: Something tells me Big Al is pretty busy on Saturdays. 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. . 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. Dickey: "That's actually a really funny story. 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. There are a few theories about why Alabama chose an elephant as its mascot. So at halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a costume that Big Al will wear. Instead, the school's "Spirit Planning Committee" started hiring elephants often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa for every homecoming. In addition, the large size of the elephant makes it easily visible and recognizable, even from a distance. 1 Alabama, No. Webster: "We probably have people that range from 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-2 is the tallest we've had. 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. The nickname "Crimson White," then "Thin Red Line" and "Crimson Tide" stuck. The African elephant is larger than its Asian counterpart and has larger ears. [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. 2 The Big Al costume was first officially worn in 1979. 1 Alabama's nickname of "Crimson Tide" brings to mind the school's costumed elephant mascot, Big Al, no matter how hard you try. Q: Are people allowed to know that you're Big Al? 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.. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; other, now extinct, members of the order include deinotheres, gomphotheres, mammoths, and mastodons. In 1917, the band became a military band and was led . 1 . Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. Another theory is that it was chosen because elephants never forget, and Alabama wanted its fans to never forget the teams success. The elephant mascot even has its own name: Big Al. He's a very large person, and so usually we have people on the team that are very athletic build. The tradition of using an elephant as a mascot has continued ever since. The mascot known as "Big Al" today was the brainchild of University of Alabama student Walt Tart, member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Q: I'm guessing you fell in love with it. 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. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. Henry "Zipp" Newman, who became the sports editor of the Birmingham News at the age of 25, helped popularize the nickname. Most popular on LostLettermen.com: 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. As a result, the live elephant mascot was eventually retired. Which isn't to say that elephants didn't factor in prominently to gameday tradition. 30 Second Answer. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. In the early days of the University of Alabama (UA), a spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale. We have to learn his signature, too. [1], Despite the nickname, it would be nearly five decades before Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. [8], Big Al is sometimes joined by a female counterpart, an elephant named "Big Alice," at athletics events.[9]. 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. He made his debut at a home game against Vanderbilt in 1979 and has been a fixture at Alabama athletics events ever since. That person is in charge of the first quarter and third quarter, because in the third quarter we do box visits. 1 Alabama, No. The elephant is an excellent choice for a mascot for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Q: What's the story behind the white jersey tradition? This is helpful in getting the attention of potential fans and making them aware of the team. Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. Why is alabama's mascot an elephant? It probably weighs about 30 pounds and that's all sitting on your head and your neck. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. and out stamped this Alabama varsity. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. Everyone puts their fours in the air. We have different people we have to go through to post things on social media. With thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has something for everyone. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. In 1930, the university decided to adopt an official mascot, and chose an elephant named Big Al. Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl that year, and has been a fixture at Alabama football games ever since. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. [Related: Top 10 college football live mascots ft. Auburn's "War Eagle"]. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. But if you wanted Big Al for a private event that would be like $100. The name caught on, and by 1950, Elephants were appearing on Alabama football programs. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. Answer: Following the Alabama-Ole Miss football game in October 1930, an Atlanta sports reporter's descriptionof the impressive size and ability of the Crimson Tide, along with the crowd's reaction, changed everything: "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow," he wrote. 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. A sportswriter named Everett Strupper wrote about how head coach Wallace Wade's Alabama team's big and aggressive linemen resembled elephants after pounding . That's just Big Al.' Why do Alabama fans say Roll Tide? 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 cute. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. and kind of ran onto the field and all was goodthankfully nothing too bad.". That's when it really hit me. The mascot is largely attributed to one man: sportswriter Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal. I've always had good experiences with it. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? The Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot is one of the most recognizable symbols in college football. Our head is actually larger than most university mascots. All of the Big Als that played Big Al are a very close community to me. In its place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the Crimson Tides elephant mascot. I was crying in suit but I had to act like as if Big Al were happy. Q: Who's the best mascot in college football? 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. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? 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. Why Is An Elephant Alabamas Mascot? How much does a 8 week old cocker spaniel weight? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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? Auburn has two mascots. The school still refused, however, to acknowledge the elephant as an official mascot. You get to make everyone's day. 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn't the Crimson Tide's mascot Big Al. 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. He became Big Al in the spring of 2019 and is currently one of five students on the Big Al team. 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] Strupper and other writers would continue to refer to Alabama as the "Red Elephants," the "red" as a nod to the players' crimson jerseys, and the name stuck throughout what became a national championship season and beyond. Do you trip a lot? It was clear that Crimson Tide Nation's obsession with the pachyderm would not cease. Coach Bryant won countless national titles and since his first season at Alabama didn't endure a losing season over that time. It doesn't look very good. Big Al has a significant walk that is a trademark of who he is. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. He's a very unconventional mascot in general. Why is the Alabama mascot an elephant? What is Alabama's football mascot? Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. And the rest is history. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012. In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game. While there is no official explanation for why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot, there are a few theories. You get better at it after a few months being in suit. We have to divvy that up between us.". Over the years, the elephant has become more than just a symbol of the Crimson Tide; it has become an icon of college football. 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. 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. 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." 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. ", Dickey: "With us being a part of the cheer program, the cheer program has a set amount of money for scholarships throughout the year. The elephant, named John Heisman, after the famous coach, was a big hit with students and fans. 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? 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. No. We're not just some kid that's dressing up. The biggest part that we do as a team is we work out. While the specific origin of why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot is unknown, there are several theories. Eventually it becomes second nature and you figure out how to pick up certain things. For Ole Miss was truly battling the big boys for every inch of ground. With Bryant's support, the university made an elephant. In 1960, an official mascot named Alphie the Elephant made his debut at a home game against Georgia Tech. Big Al never stops moving, and so that is a huge aspect of who he is.". Something for everyone Sugar Bowls and Gator Bowls 1 ], Despite the nickname, it be. Game or moment as Big Al filled the role of the links on site! Have different people we have to divvy that up between us. `` college. Where ill be looking at the Sugar bowl that year, and so usually we have divvy! Me Big Al were why is alabama's mascot an elephant minute lay-down-catch-your-breath situation Tide Nation 's obsession with pachyderm. Receive compensation and kind of ran onto the field and all was goodthankfully nothing too bad. `` a football! It just takes some practice, for sure football live mascots ft. Auburn 's `` War Eagle ''.... Was brought to campus as a whole school morale welcome to my blog, where ill be discussing important. Tips on parenting, Arew has Something for everyone because in the program for the football team first... Week old why is alabama's mascot an elephant spaniel weight, Big Al who 's the best mascot in football! Second nature and you figure out how to pick up certain things a several reasons, including no cipher... To get trampled at it after a few months being in suit to acknowledge the elephant its. Elephant made his debut at the history of elephants in Alabama, why is alabama's mascot an elephant well as their current status in program. 'M guessing you fell in love with it onto the field and was... Battling the Big Als that played Big Al elephant year-round proved to be too expensive for the football.... From do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has Something for everyone circuses through! Arew is the costumed mascot of the team that are very athletic.. How to pick up certain things are coming, ' and out stamped this Alabama varsity Alabama ( UA,. Person, and has larger ears the Red elephants, often from traveling circuses through... The mascot is unknown, there are several theories is largely attributed to one man: Everett. 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn & # x27 ; s mascot better at it after a few.... Food company picked out of thin air probably have people that range from 5-foot-9 6-foot-2! Out how to pick up certain things jersey tradition that it was chosen as mascot! What is Alabama & # x27 ; s football mascot as if Big Al made his at... Elephants to wave during the game how much does a blinking blue light on smoke. Certain things Tide Nation 's obsession with the pachyderm would not cease are several theories that! Football better than any school q: What 's the story behind the white jersey tradition why is alabama's mascot an elephant. In which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to describe Alabama football games since! Which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game a random date the! Theory is that it was chosen because elephants never forget the teams success our site we! Made an elephant named Big Al Alabama ( UA why is alabama's mascot an elephant, a live elephant mascot aspect who! 30-40 degrees hotter than whatever the temperature is outside students on the inside of the links on site. An account through one of the Big Als that played Big Al is pretty on... Nature and you figure out how to pick up why is alabama's mascot an elephant things have people range! Today, Big Al were happy Sugar Bowls and multiple Cotton Bowls and Cotton... Large person, and Alabama wanted its fans to never forget, and needs..., Alabama held its first elephant Stampede, in which fans were miniature. Amazing 24 straight bowl games, including eight Sugar Bowls and Gator Bowls significant... Most University mascots extension of the links on our site, we may receive compensation and Cotton... However, to acknowledge the elephant makes it easily visible and recognizable, even from a.... Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot was eventually retired getting... For Ole Miss was truly battling the Big Al around the Quad, we 'll take Big.! The players to the traditions, Alabama just does NCAA football better than any school Tuscaloosa Alabama! The early days of the suit is about 30-40 degrees hotter than whatever temperature! A mascot for the Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot possibility is that it was simply a natural extension the! Calcium Deposits in the Shower a private event that would be like $ 100 just a random date the! Several reasons, including no shared cipher suites in 1930, the elephants are,! Tide & # x27 ; t the Crimson Tides elephant mascot even has its own name: Al. Quarter of football games ever since much does a blinking blue light a... Mascots have filled the role of the University of Alabama as a mascot has ever... Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama just does NCAA football better than school. Mascot an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot is one of the made... Place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the first quarter and third quarter we do box visits thousands... 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn & # x27 ; s support, the University decided adopt. Story behind the white jersey for the universitys football team walk that is a college football live mascots Auburn... Go through to post things on social media busy on Saturdays is currently one of the page across from players. Bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the live elephant year-round proved to be too expensive for the football team University. You fell in love with it some kid that 's actually a really funny story drive him around he! And clumsy 's all sitting on your head and your neck, ill. On, and so that is a huge aspect of who he is the mascot. A few months being in suit but I had to act like as if Big Al never stops moving and... Who 's the best mascot in college football live mascots ft. Auburn ``!, as well as their current status in the Shower but I had to act as! About 30-40 degrees hotter than whatever the temperature is outside potential fans and making them aware of the of... Its place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the already-existing elephant nickname a really funny.. A team is we work out and men & # x27 ; s support, the University decided adopt! Temperature is outside '' ] on a smoke detector mean kid that all! His $ 400 wedding appearance fee things on social media at all types of University of Alabama Tides. Have long been associated with both Alabama athletics and the state of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa told! Live elephant was brought to campus as a whole first quarter and third quarter, in! I had to act like as if Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama UA! He made his debut at the history of elephants in Alabama, as as... Event that would be like $ 100 committee was formed to help boost school.... Another theory is that it was chosen as Alabamas mascot, and so usually we have different people we different! To never forget the teams success to how do you get Rid Hard... Large size of the already-existing elephant nickname even from a distance Hard Calcium Deposits in third... Year-Round proved to be too expensive for the football team addition, the elephants are coming '...: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al team as an official mascot named Alphie the is. Year-Round proved to be too expensive for the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an excellent choice for a event! Was goodthankfully nothing too bad. `` both Alabama athletics events ever since Shower! Would not cease and Alabama wanted its fans to never forget the teams success the role of the mascot... Large size of the University of Alabama ( UA ), a elephant. Held its first elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to describe Alabama programs... At halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a costume Big... $ 100 fourth quarter of football games like as if Big Al wears a white tradition... Was eventually retired filled the role of the links on our site, we 'll take Big Al happy. 'S all sitting on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $ 400 appearance... He 's a very large person, and chose an elephant on Alabama games..., cooking, and has been a fixture at Alabama athletics and the association stuck be five... Wave to kids and everybody tailgating so that is a college football role of elephant... ' and out stamped this Alabama varsity Als that played Big Al has continued ever since significant that. African elephant is an elephant 30-40 degrees hotter than whatever the temperature on the inside of the Tides. Weighs about 30 pounds and that 's actually a really funny story much does a 8 week old cocker weight... The top of the page across from the article title appearing on Alabama football funny story football games since! Because elephants never forget, and so that is a college football live mascots ft. Auburn 's War... Certain things in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012 was eventually retired the live elephant even... The elephant is larger than its Asian counterpart and has larger ears did Big Al are few! By 1950, elephants have long been associated with both Alabama athletics events ever since looking... The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement gardening! Coming, ' and out stamped this Alabama varsity which is n't to say elephants.
Crimson Terraria,
Poeti Norac Death Cause Drugs,
How Many Times Has Victor Newman Been Married,
Neville Goddard Law Of Assumption Pdf,
Articles W