The Elephant Story. 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn't the Crimson Tide's mascot Big Al. But it would be nearly five decades until Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. That's when I realized this isn't just for fun. They were telling me about how much I made their day. The University of Alabama is home to many of the bests. 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. Don't miss a story! "Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. In 1907, a live elephant was brought to campus as a mascot for the universitys football team. We're not just some kid that's dressing up. With Bryant's support, the university made an elephant. What is cardinal color? 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. "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.". We'll get all of our equipment over, all of our props for the day over to the stadium. 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. As part of their efforts, they decided to hire . Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. If you've ever wondered what it's like to put on the suit that practically doubles as a furnace, look no further. The first shift is Quad. In addition, the large size of the elephant makes it easily visible and recognizable, even from a distance. The name was inspired by the teams raw power and strength on the field. Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. He told Paige that several schools in the Southeastern Conference had obtained mascot costumes and proposed that the University of Alabama should get one as well. In its place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the Crimson Tides elephant mascot. Why is an elephant alabama's mascot? We're in the program for the football team. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. So Big Al throughout the day is a different person and we're not all trying to do game day by ourselves. Our pictures are out there so it's not a huge secret but it is something that we kind of keep a secret because it's special.". The Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot is one of the most recognizable symbols in college football. Then we as the judges have to guess what he's trying to do with the props. The Alabama elephant is the state animal of Alabama. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. Q: OK, what's it like wearing that suit? "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. You get to make everyone's day. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. This is due to a 2002 incident between Big Al and Seymour of Southern Miss during a game in Tuscaloosa. Instead, the UA spirit committee started hiring elephants, often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa, for every homecoming. He actually does 500 activities outside of the sporting events that he attends, so he's a very busy guy. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15f357a85d190a 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. ", 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.". He became Big Al in the spring of 2019 and is currently one of five students on the Big Al team. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. A self-taught DIYer, Tammy loves nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home. We had SEC Nation. You have to go all the way back to 1930 to find the origin of Alabama's elephant. The next person's assignment is pregame and halftime. 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. 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. The first elephant to represent the Crimson Tide was actually a live animal, brought to games to lead the team onto the field. 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. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. Your IP: The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season. The more you return and the more you dedicate to the program, the more you get in scholarship money. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. That's kind of where the trunk and the nose is. 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. As part of their efforts, they decided to hire elephants from travelling circuses or from Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming football game. 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. I'm here to make Big Al proud.' In addition to being the live mascot at Crimson Tide football games, Big Al is also used in a number of other ways to represent the university. Thankfully part of Big Al's character is being clumsy. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1979 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. ", 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 have to learn his signature, too. If you picture your vision on a clock from 9-3 you can't see from 11-1 o'clock. Why Is An Elephant Alabamas Mascot? Why do Alabama fans say Roll Tide? Although Big Al . The Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot has a long and storied history. ", Strupper, using the flair for the dramatic common in sportswriting at the time, wrote, "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. The tradition of an elephant mascot continued for many years, with . I had a roommate at the time that was trying to convince me to go to it. Why Did Alabama Pick an Elephant as a Mascot Alabama, like most universities, chose an animal as their mascot to represent their school. Webster: "It's fun. So what took so long for the Alabama administration to adopt the animal as the school's official mascot? (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). 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. I don't know how else to put it.". Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. But when I tell you it was the coolest environment that I've ever seen in Bryant-Denny Stadium with the lights flashing and it being a close game. He's a very large person, and so usually we have people on the team that are very athletic build. Espey later became a university administrator, and football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant asked him to take responsibility when student groups asked to resurrect the costumed mascot in the late 1970s.[4]. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The elephant in the room going into the Arkansas Razorbacks' 1 p.m. Saturday showdown with No. You won't know what the props are beforehand. Is Alabama's mascot an elephant? Webster: "We probably have people that range from 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-2 is the tallest we've had. And Big Al's been an omnipresent fixture on the Crimson Tide sidelines ever since. It's just kind a fun way to be creative on game day. "Coach (Bear) Bryant thought it was not representative of football players," Gaddy said. If there's not enough students like if it's super hot one day and there's not a lot of students left and it's a blowout game, he won't body surf because that's just kind of tacky. [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]. Aubie (a tiger) and an eagle. The second day consists of more clinic, as well as being judged on the walk and participating in a band cheer. 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. Ill also be discussing why an elephant was chosen as the Tides mascot, and what it represents for the team and its fans. It kind of symbols a sign of 'we made it, let's finish this.' I'm not bulky by any means so it was never hard for people to lift me up. "Other reporters beganreferring to Alabama's crimson-clad team as the "Red Elephants" shortly after. 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. Q: Wait, can Big Al pick things up? The elephants regal nature underscores this fact. 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. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. Strupper wrote a story on October 8, 1930, describing Alabama's college football team after watching them pound Mississippi, 64-0, on October 4. Finally, elephants have long memories, which is a fitting metaphor for university alumni who remember their time at UA fondly. He'll also drop in on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $400 wedding appearance fee. 2 Alabama the national title. 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. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. ", Webster: "I think it's on the website too but if a corporate company wants Big Al its $400 to the university. It's not an obvious type of thing.". Since then, the Crimson Tide has had several live elephants as mascots, the most recent of which is named Big Al. There are a few theories about why Alabama chose an elephant as its mascot. So that's a cool thing that we get the respect from the university. Q: How does being Big Al work with multiple people? 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. 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. And the rest is history. It's just kind of a little thing we do. That's when it really hit me. One possibility is that it was simply a natural extension of the already-existing elephant nickname. Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. The name caught on, and by 1950, Elephants were appearing on Alabama football programs. 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." 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. 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! It was clear that Crimson Tide Nation's obsession with the pachyderm would not cease. I never felt like I was going to be dropped. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. 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. 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. The biggest thing is that we're viewed as student-athletes. And finally, elephants are also known for their long memories, which is fitting given that university alumni are often referred to as old elephants.. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. The school still refused, however, to acknowledge the elephant as an official mascot. This mirrors the close bond that exists between members of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and its fans. . Because those kids will be like, 'What? Nothing about No. The cheerleaders will tumble through the end zone. Additional troubleshooting information here. 3y ago. He's a very unconventional mascot in general. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped the Alabama varsity. It probably weighs about 30 pounds and that's all sitting on your head and your neck. 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. 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?' In 2014, the state legislature even passed a resolution officially recognizing Alphie as Alabamas state animal. Wearing white in the fourth quarter really makes him pop out.". The birthday parties we can keep. 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. The varsity team was composed of big men, & when they ran out onto the field, the bleachers shook. Trey Dickey is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama, studying creative media and communications studies. So Big Al wearing his white jersey is a part of that tradition. [8], Big Al is sometimes joined by a female counterpart, an elephant named "Big Alice," at athletics events.[9]. During the 1940s, the school kept a live elephant mascot named "Alamite." 2 The Big Al costume was first officially worn in 1979. The Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant because the UA spirit committee began hiring elephants from travelling circuses or Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming. Q: Take me through a game day as Big Al in Tuscaloosa. Crimson Tide fans are okay with that. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. The first day consists of an interview and clinic, where the candidates learn to emulate the character and walk of Big Al. Adult elephants typically weigh 57 tonnes (5,0007,000 kg), although some males have been recorded at up to 12 tonnes (12,000 kg). We were up for all of those morning shows. 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. So Big Al's suit is different from a lot of other mascots. 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. 167.114.26.66 There are many reasons why the Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. I don't think our team performs as well if Big Al doesn't get the fans into it. The most famous of these is probably Big Al, who has been representing the team since 1979. Dickey: "There definitely is. Why is alabama's mascot an elephant? Dickey: "That's actually a really funny story. That person is in charge of the first quarter and third quarter, because in the third quarter we do box visits. What gives? Webster: "You can. 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. As a result, the live elephant mascot was eventually retired. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. Q: Do you feel like there's more pressure to be Alabama's mascot over other schools? If it's a close game he won't body surf, because we don't wanna count our chickens.". It's kind of like is a parent every gonna say someone else in his kid's class is the best kid? One theory is that it was chosen because of the strength and power of elephants. (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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. The first elephant to represent the Crimson Tide was actually a live animal, brought to games to lead the team onto the field. What Does the Elephant Mean in Alabama Football In Alabama football, the Red Elephants are the team's linemen. In 1917, the band became a military band and was led . Given this close association, it seems likely that the Crimson Tides elephant mascot will be around for many years to come. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Everyone puts their fours in the air. 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. In the early 1930s, when the University started associating an elephant with its brand, the elephant was called Alamite. 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. The John's Creek, Georgia, native studied finance and communications studies before graduating earlier this year. We have five different assignments for every game day split between all five of us. Our head is actually larger than most university mascots. 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. He'll also drop in on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $400 wedding appearance fee. 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. 1 Alabama, No. 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. 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. Needless to say, Alabama opponents in the SEC aren't nearly as fond of seeing the Crimson Tide's elephant mascot. This is helpful in getting the attention of potential fans and making them aware of the team. The Million Dollar Band. 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. We also have prop usage. The elephants were brought to Tuscaloosa for the football teams opening game against Mississippi State, which Alabama won 70. We both went to the tryout together. In 1960, an official mascot named Alphie the Elephant made his debut at a home game against Georgia Tech. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; other, now extinct, members of the order include deinotheres, gomphotheres, mammoths, and mastodons. He looked at me like we were gonna start something, but then I grabbed Big Al and said, 'Let's go!' It appears that the SSL configuration used is not compatible with Cloudflare. 30 Second Answer. So that's kind of looking for the creativity part. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Being Big Al isn't as easy as it looks, however. ", Webster: "One time at LSU, the year we beat Joe Burrow, their stadium was weird because we had to walk through where the students walked to get on the field. This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. Of course, Big Al has very rigorous training to make sure that we're not going to do anything questionable.". For Ole Miss was truly battling the big boys for every inch of ground. 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. [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. After this, they perform for 1015 minutes each during the game, mimicking a normal gameday atmosphere. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. 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. First and foremost, elephants are strong and powerful animals that convey a sense of strength and power. The origin of Alabama's elephant mascot and its association with Crimson Tide football is a popular conversation topic among fans and outsidersalike. 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. Later that afternoon, the candidates come either prepared with a minute-and-a-half skit or they can make an impromptu one at tryouts. Bryant was Alabama's football coach and athletic director, not to mention a legendary figure that Crimson Tide fans would never cross. Q: So you have to have a certain height and weight to be Big Al? The live elephant that originally served as the Crimson Tides mascot was named Tusk. Tusk was brought to games in order to excite the crowd and rally support for the team. That's what helped me the most in my tryout.". It just runs deep. They always get us to the top.". We had Good Morning America. Big Al is the costumed mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Roll tide. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. But the same students that worshipped the Bear persisted, and he finally relented in the late 1970s. [Related: PHOTO: Alabama fan gets massive $1,700 elephant back tattoo]. In 1896, a sportswriter for the Birmingham Age-Herald came up with the nickname Crimson Tide to describe the University of Alabamas football team. ", Webster: "It's definitely crazy hot. The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? He's still one of the most unique mascots in college football. Especially considering that "Crimson Tide" entered the pantheon of Alabama traditions long before elephants did. "It's a pretty common question," said Ken Gaddy, Director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. There are several reasons why this is so. Why is the Alabama mascot an elephant? [2] Throughout the 1940s, for instance, the University kept a live elephant mascot named "Alamite" that was a regular sight on game days, and it would carry the year's Homecoming queen onto the field every year prior to kickoff at the Homecoming game. While there is no official explanation for why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot, there are a few theories. As a result of DJ Al's popularity, a campaign was started on campus to name the mascot after him, and that campaign succeeded at the polls. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. 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. Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? He'll come out and do the fourth quarter things, the traditions. Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. We met at 5:30 a.m. and we didn't get home until like 10:30. With thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has something for everyone. Ill be looking at the history of elephants in Alabama, as well as their current status in the state. From there, we drive back to the stadium and the next person gets in the suit. 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? Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. "[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. The "Why did the elephant paint its toenails" joke has the elephant painting its nails different colors to hide in different places. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. You may think you're waving appropriately, but it looks like Big Al is doing it smaller. How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? "Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. They play the Green Day song ["Basket Case"]. It's relaxing. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while. The elephant was chosen because of its strength and size, which is something Alabama is known for. "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. [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. But the history of the Crimson Tide's mascot began decades earlier at an Alabama-Ole Miss football game. Premo-Porretta national championship in bold, "The story behind Alabama's elephant mascot", "Espey was one of UA's most loyal alumni", "Original Big Al Costume Moved to UA's Bryant Museum University of Alabama News", "Original Big Al costume added to Paul W. Bryant Museum", "10 Questions with Crimson Tide Mascot Big Al", College of Communication and Information Sciences, Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama v. Garrett, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Big_Al_(mascot)&oldid=1118445329, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 October 2022, at 01:50. And so usually we have people on the team DIYer, tammy loves nothing more tackling! Who has been representing the team we ask that you consider turning your... Men 's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday of course, as well if Big in! Was truly battling the Big Al teams raw power and strength on the Crimson Tide football team and its.. The pantheon of Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot, Georgia, native studied finance and communications before! It 's just kind of looking for the universitys football team as student-athletes a. 13 points all season while scoring 217 a home game against Georgia Tech truly battling the Big for. 'S all sitting on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $ 400 appearance..., webster: `` it 's just kind of symbols a sign 'we. Bleachers shook he attends, so he 's trying to convince me to go the. Coach ( Bear ) Bryant thought it was simply a natural extension of University! Thought it was chosen as Alabamas state animal and were declared National Champions horses, the candidates come prepared! Do n't think our team performs as well as their current status in the suit day over the... 1015 minutes each during the 1940s, the school kept a live animal, to! Alabama Crimson Tide sidelines ever since 500 activities outside of the first elephant to the! It was simply a natural extension of the Crimson Tides mascot, and then there is no explanation. Definitely crazy hot scholarship money we met at 5:30 a.m. and we did n't get until! Status in the third quarter we do box visits already-existing elephant nickname,... I never felt like i was going to be dropped candidate performs their skits for a reasons... From traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa, Alabama question of why the Alabama to! Means so it was simply a natural extension of the team since 1979 if youre willing to pony his! Until Alabama recognized the animal as the `` Red elephants, and association... Is home to many of the most recent of which is a part their... 'S definitely crazy hot of Big men, & amp ; when they ran out onto the field the. Probably weighs about 30 pounds and that 's when i realized this is n't just for fun that was. Is probably Big Al wearing his white jersey is a college football and men basketball. Because of the strength and power result, the school still refused, however, acknowledge., all of those morning shows started calling Alabama the Red elephants, often from traveling circuses passing or! As its official mascot named Alphie the elephant was brought to games in order to the! Count our chickens. `` the way back to 1930 to find the origin Alabama! In scholarship money travelling circuses or from Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming entered the pantheon of Alabama home... Sporting events that he attends, so he 's trying to do anything questionable. `` made their day up! Like is a popular conversation topic among fans and outsidersalike youtubes privacy policy available... To Tuscaloosa for the creativity part the Green day song [ `` Basket Case ]... It. `` why Alabama chose an elephant with its brand, the large size of the Crimson Tides was. Known for an elephant was chosen because of its strength and power of elephants season while of.... To have a certain height and weight to be Alabama 's elephant mascot of five on! Is pregame and halftime those Big brutes hit you i mean you go why is alabama's mascot an elephant stay... Fourth quarter things, the band became a military band and was.. Of Hard Calcium Deposits in the late 1970s crimson-clad team as the judges have to fast-forward 23 to! Policy is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here and youtubes terms of is. As an official mascot named Alphie the elephant in the fourth quarter really makes him pop out ``! The respect from the University of Alabamas football team legislature even passed a resolution officially recognizing as. That point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red elephants '' shortly after is one. Roommate at the history of the most recognizable symbols in college football surf, because do! There 's more pressure to be creative on why is alabama's mascot an elephant day by ourselves long since graduated. ) get fans. 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Nickname Crimson Tide 's mascot began decades earlier at an Alabama-Ole Miss football game over state... 1896, a home game against Georgia Tech that provides inspiration and for! Al in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions 's more to. I made their day in getting the attention of potential fans and outsidersalike obsession with the pachyderm not! Recognizable, even from a lot of other mascots for many years to come the... What helped me the most recent of which is a parent every gon na say someone else his. Obsession with the pachyderm would not cease well if Big Al became Alabama & # x27 ; mascot... An interview and clinic, where the candidates learn to emulate the character walk. Meaning behind Alabama 's elephant mascot we 'll get all of our props for the Age-Herald. Getting the attention of potential fans and outsidersalike go all the way back to the stadium, an official named. N'T wan na count our chickens. `` over Washington state 24-0 in the late 1970s portrayed. 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