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. But the history of the Crimson Tide's mascot began decades earlier at an Alabama-Ole Miss football game. 3y ago. And Big Al's been an omnipresent fixture on the Crimson Tide sidelines ever since. So Big Al's suit is different from a lot of other mascots. 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. LostLettermen.com is a college football and men's basketball site that regularly contributes to Dr. Saturday. Q: How does being Big Al work with multiple people? They play the Green Day song ["Basket Case"]. That's just Big Al.' The origin of Alabama's elephant mascot and its association with Crimson Tide football is a popular conversation topic among fans and outsidersalike. We also have prop usage. after a little pleading with Coach Bear Bryant tojump on board with anon-field mascot, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The University of Alabama is home to many of the bests. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. We always say if you can see the camera, Big Al is looking somewhere else. It's the controversy over whether Alabama freshman phenom Brandon Miller should be playing basketball after his role in a tragedy the . Another reason why the elephant is a good choice for a mascot is because it is a very noble creature. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. [3] By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year-round proved to be too expensive for the University. The John's Creek, Georgia, native studied finance and communications studies before graduating earlier this year. It's relaxing. One possibility is that it began as a joking reference to an 1890s incident in which an Birmingham Zoo elephant escaped and spent two weeks roaming around the city. Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up. We have five different assignments for every game day split between all five of us. So within that sort of height. The name was inspired by the teams raw power and strength on the field. I don't know how else to put it.". This is helpful in getting the attention of potential fans and making them aware of the team. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15f357a85d190a Why is alabama's mascot an elephant? 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. 1 . 1 Alabama, No. Dickey: "There definitely is. It's just kind of a little thing we do. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season. Big Al has a significant walk that is a trademark of who he is. He's played by five different students -- two guys and three girls. The band will form an elephant on the field and Big Al will march them down the field. 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. I've always had good experiences with it. The history of the Alabama Crimson Tide's elephant mascot is a long and storied one. Take a trip to Tuscaloosa and you'll find Nick Saban, who is undoubtedly the greatest college football coach of our generation. 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. Of course, Big Al has very rigorous training to make sure that we're not going to do anything questionable.". Our head is actually larger than most university mascots. Big Al never stops moving, and so that is a huge aspect of who he is.". Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Ill also be discussing why an elephant was chosen as the Tides mascot, and what it represents for the team and its fans. Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant? Then all your gestures get swallowed since it's such a big suit. Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. The president came to the football game. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. What is cardinal color? link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? He is directly the reason that Alabama has performance on the field, obviously. We have different people we have to go through to post things on social media. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The first day consists of an interview and clinic, where the candidates learn to emulate the character and walk of Big Al. The Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot has a long and storied history. 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. 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. Big Al was named by a student vote. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 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.". That's when it really hit me. Big Al is the costumed mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 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. and kind of ran onto the field and all was goodthankfully nothing too bad.". In 1917, the band became a military band and was led . 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. 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. That's when I realized this isn't just for fun. In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game. The nickname stuck. In 1896, a sportswriter for the Birmingham Age-Herald came up with the nickname Crimson Tide to describe the University of Alabamas football team. But if you wanted Big Al for a private event that would be like $100. The. Can he throw a football? He received a price quote from Disney for the design and construction of the elephant costume. How did the audition go? 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. How much does a 8 week old cocker spaniel weight? The varsity team was composed of big men, & when they ran out onto the field, the bleachers shook. Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. Q: Something tells me Big Al is pretty busy on Saturdays. The maximum amount of time Big Al can spend at your special day: one hour. I grew up an Alabama fan my whole life, and I just thought it would be a cool thing my freshman year to put the suit on one time. Thankfully part of Big Al's character is being clumsy. The elephant has long been associated with strength, power, and loyalty, making it an ideal choice for a university mascot. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. The biggest thing is that we're viewed as student-athletes. He wasn't fat. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. All rights reserved. You won't know what the props are beforehand. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. In 1960, an official mascot named Alphie the Elephant made his debut at a home game against Georgia Tech. Which isn't to say that elephants didn't factor in prominently to gameday tradition. So join me on this journey as we explore the answer to this important question: Why is Alabamas mascot an elephant? 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn't the Crimson Tide's mascot Big Al. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. Dickey: "Oh yeah, Big Al is one of my best friends. 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. From there, we drive back to the stadium and the next person gets in the suit. The name caught on, and by 1950, Elephants were appearing on Alabama football programs. The team has used an elephant in its marketing since the early 1900s, and the animal has become synonymous with the Crimson Tide brand. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. We're not just some kid that's dressing up. [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. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. Then we as the judges have to guess what he's trying to do with the props. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. In the early 1930s, when the University started associating an elephant with its brand, the elephant was called Alamite. The maximum amount of time Big Al can spend at your special day: one hour. Q: So you have to have a certain height and weight to be Big Al? 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. What gives? Even though the elephant served as a symbol for the team, it took decades for the Big Al mascot to come to fruition. And finally, elephants are also known for their long memories, which is fitting given that university alumni are often referred to as old elephants.. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. 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. Q: Do you feel like there's more pressure to be Alabama's mascot over other schools? Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012. The mascot made its debut in the 1980 Sugar Bowl, but the first student to don the elephant costume was Melford Espey Jr.22 Sept 2021. Photo courtesy of William Webster. As part of their efforts, they decided to hire elephants from travelling circuses or from Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming football game. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Wearing white in the fourth quarter really makes him pop out.". Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We have to divvy that up between us.". How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? 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. [ 3 ] by the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year-round proved to be Alabama elephant. 7A15F357A85D190A why is Alabamas mascot an elephant was chosen as the Tides mascot is because is! Alabama has performance on the field, obviously to adopt an official mascot, Buy newspaper front pages posters. It 's such a Big suit the costumed mascot of the Crimson Tide & # x27 s! 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