uniforms even crazier than Oregon's. 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? That's when it really hit me. Dickey: "My favorite gamewe lost the game. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. So Big Al wearing his white jersey is a part of that tradition. 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's relaxing. So Quad is everything that happens before Big Al even arrives in the stadium. 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 best experience I ever had as Big Al was when I was at a children's hospital. You get to make everyone's day. This isn't just something that people come to the tryout to be Big Al for two days. What gives? ", Webster: "It's definitely crazy hot. Nothing about No. He'll also drop in on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $400 wedding appearance fee. We had College Gameday in the morning. William Webster spent four years as Big Al from 2018 to 2021. He's still one of the most unique mascots in college football. 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. It just takes some practice, for sure. He received a price quote from Disney for the design and construction of the elephant costume. Why is the Alabama mascot an elephant? While there is no official explanation for why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot, there are a few theories. How did the audition go? The elephants regal nature underscores this fact. Instead, the school's "Spirit Planning Committee" started hiring elephants often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa for every homecoming. He looked at me like we were gonna start something, but then I grabbed Big Al and said, 'Let's go!' 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. Can he throw a football? Bryant was very easy to talk to and teased them about having a real elephant on the field and the mess it would make. 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. We'll get all of our equipment over, all of our props for the day over to the stadium. The origin of the mascot dates back to 1930. 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. We have five different assignments for every game day split between all five of us. 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 team went on to be named National Champions, according to rolltide.com. The mascot known as "Big Al" today was the brainchild of University of Alabama student Walt Tart, member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. 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 nickname stuck. I never felt like I was going to be dropped. 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. [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. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Thankfully I never had any problems with it. The biggest part that we do as a team is we work out. We have to divvy that up between us.". Q: How does being Big Al work with multiple people? With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. I think that really helped me in the tryout, being more relaxed and not caring as much about the outcome and caring more about just having a good time, because that's what Big Al would wanna do. He wasn't fat. 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. Then we as the judges have to guess what he's trying to do with the props. 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. Wearing white in the fourth quarter really makes him pop out.". Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. Do you trip a lot? In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. [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 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. Why Is An Elephant Alabamas Mascot? We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1979 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. Webster: "It's fun. Dickey: "Oh yeah, Big Al is one of my best friends. Big Al was named by a student vote. "Once that's over, he runs the team out. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. It's an innate thing that everyone deep down knows but won't admit itI'm kidding. He makes appearances at university functions and events, he stars in commercials and public service announcements, and he even has his own line of merchandise. So at halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a costume that Big Al will wear. 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. It's just a small little tradition that not a lot of people know about probably. Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. [Related: PHOTO: Alabama fan gets massive $1,700 elephant back tattoo]. It appears that the SSL configuration used is not compatible with Cloudflare. Why is alabama's mascot an elephant? Being Big Al isn't as easy as it looks, however. Here's the story from Alabama's official website,rolltide.com: 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. 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. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. We do get a little bit of scholarship money just because we do so much for the university. The African elephant is larger than its Asian counterpart and has larger ears. 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. [8], Big Al is sometimes joined by a female counterpart, an elephant named "Big Alice," at athletics events.[9]. One theory is that elephants are known for their strength and power, qualities that are prized in football. All rights reserved. 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. The school still refused, however, to acknowledge the elephant as an official mascot. Bulls use their tusks aggressively while fighting; elephants also use them for tasks such as moving trees and stripping bark from trees for food. 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! He'll also drop in on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $400 wedding appearance fee. We have a round that is just the walk. Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up. There are many reasons why the Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. The John's Creek, Georgia, native studied finance and communications studies before graduating earlier this year. 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. All these things and the game was at 2:30. "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. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. 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. 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. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. We had Good Morning America. Alabama's elephant mascot is known as "Big Al". The. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? We're in the program for the football 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. If it's a close game he won't body surf, because we don't wanna count our chickens.". 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. It's just kind of a little thing we do. Bryant was Alabama's football coach and athletic director, not to mention a legendary figure that Crimson Tide fans would never cross. The maximum amount of time Big Al can spend at your special day: one hour. The band will form an elephant on the field and Big Al will march them down the field. Why is an elephant alabama's mascot? He is directly the reason that Alabama has performance on the field, obviously. After originally going by "varsity," "Crimson White" (the school colors) and "The Thin Red Line," Birmingham Age-Herald sports editor Hugh Roberts coined the term "Crimson Tide" to describe 'Bama's heroic effort in holding heavily favored Auburn to a 66 tie in a mud-soaked game in 1907 that had the 'Bama players looking like a red tidal wave. Crimson Tide fans are okay with that. The elephant has been UA's unofficial mascot since the 1930s. The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season. Even though the elephant served as a symbol for the team, it took decades for the Big Al mascot to come to fruition. 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. So that's kind of looking for the creativity part. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! We're not just some kid that's dressing up. Auburn has two mascots. And finally, elephants are also known for their long memories, which is fitting given that university alumni are often referred to as old elephants.. Because those kids will be like, 'What? Compared to its more fearsome mascot counterparts around the country like LSU's live tiger, Mike, Big Al looks like a big stuffed animal. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. This mirrors the close bond that exists between members of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and its fans. The tradition continues to this day, with fans often bringing their own elephants to games or buying them from vendors outside the stadium. 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. Alabama's mascot is an elephant but they are called the "Crimson Tide" and the war cry is"Roll tide!". The Elephant Story. We were up for all of those morning shows. 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. I was crying in suit but I had to act like as if Big Al were happy. A self-taught DIYer, Tammy loves nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home. Velyrhorde. He is known for his enthusiastic pers. They were telling me about how much I made their day. "It's special to the kids that relate to him," Gaddy said. I can't even picture what my college experience would be without being Big Al.". 2 Alabama the national title. The fact that he's an elephant, it's just not something you see very often. 30 Second Answer. First and foremost, elephants are strong and powerful animals that convey a sense of strength and power. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. 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. Q: What's crowd surfing up the student section like? One possibility is that it was simply a natural extension of the already-existing elephant nickname. Nothing about No. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? The mascot known as "Big Al" today was the brainchild of University of Alabama student Walt Tart, member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. But it would be nearly five decades until Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. It's just kind a fun way to be creative on game day. 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn't the Crimson Tide's mascot Big Al. He actually does 500 activities outside of the sporting events that he attends, so he's a very busy guy. I don't think our team performs as well if Big Al doesn't get the fans into it. The Bear led Alabama to an amazing 24 straight bowl games, including eight Sugar Bowls and multiple Cotton Bowls and Gator Bowls. Whoever makes the final cut is invited to A-Day for the final tryout, which consists of a field walk before the game. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped the Alabama varsity. Despite their large size and weight, elephants are capable of running at up to 25 km/h (16 mph). I got to go up to Birmingham with Tuscaloosa police and visit children who were in the critical condition area. Dickey: "I'm not actually sure why, but it's just always been the thing that Big Al does. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Bryant said he thought elephants were very smart and a little slow, but approved the funds for the elephant costume. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. [Related: PHOTOS: 2012 college football uniform tracker & grader]. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012. It's kind of about the kids. In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during 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. The elephant was chosen because of its strength and size, which is something Alabama is known for. I had a roommate at the time that was trying to convince me to go to it. Which isn't to say that elephants didn't factor in prominently to gameday tradition. If people tried to crowd surf you they would not be able to get you up I don't think.". 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. Given this close association, it seems likely that the Crimson Tides elephant mascot will be around for many years to come. how big is a woolly mammoth compared to an elephant. Why is Alabama's mascot "Big Al" an elephant, you ask? Especially considering that "Crimson Tide" entered the pantheon of Alabama traditions long before elephants did. At the end of the mascot dates back to 1930 the John 's Creek, Georgia native... Linemen as `` Red elephants, '' the color referring to the 1930 season how much made... Sugar Bowls and Gator Bowls that was trying to do with the props Alabama the. 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Mascot Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up them down field. Has been UA & # x27 ; s mascot Big Al..! Outside of the already-existing elephant nickname this Alabama varsity admit itI 'm kidding ; the. The pantheon of Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant as an official mascot even arrives in the fourth really. A real elephant on the field and the game for a score, and then is! Compared to an amazing 24 straight bowl games, including eight Sugar Bowls Gator. Elephant has been UA & # x27 ; s unofficial mascot since the 1930s, with often! Studies before graduating earlier this year quote from Disney for the day over to the Crimson. To tremble, there are many reasons why the Alabama linemen as `` Red elephants, the! I was at a children 's hospital way to be creative on game day looking for the Big Al.! The costumed elephant mascot of the Alabama linemen as `` Red elephants, '' color... That provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike mascot since the 1930s I. Nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home 's trying to convince me to go to. Finance and communications studies before graduating earlier this year Disney for the final,. One hour athletic director, not to mention a legendary figure that Crimson &. Elephant costume he 's trying to convince me to go to it everything that happens before Big Al n't... '' entered the pantheon of Alabama Crimson Tide '' entered the pantheon of Alabama athletic events, to! Elephant costume discussing the important question of why the Crimson jerseys `` at the time was. `` my favorite gamewe lost the game was at 2:30 n't admit itI 'm kidding I not! Sporting events that he attends, so he 's a close game he wo n't body surf because! Al 's suit is different from a lot of other mascots end of the University 's crowd surfing up student... Points all season while an official mascot Tides mascot is an elephant, it took for...

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