The fact that he's an elephant, it's just not something you see very often. You won't know what the props are beforehand. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming!' In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. What gives? One of the most recognizable mascots in all of sports, the elephant has been associated with the University of Alabamas Crimson Tide since the late 19th century. Another theory is that it was inspired by a 1903 news article about then-Alabama head coach Mike Donahue, who was said to have a huge and strong team that was unstoppable like an elephant.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Webster: "Oh, Big Al. First of all, the elephant is a very strong animal, and this is representative of the strength of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1979 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. I don't know how else to put it.". 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. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? It's almost like thatBig Al is just the best. Like the team's nickname, it was the brainchild of a sports writer. That's what helped me the most in my tryout.". [Related: PHOTOS: 2012 college football uniform tracker & grader]. He wasn't fat. The Million Dollar Band. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. The "Why did the elephant paint its toenails" joke has the elephant painting its nails different colors to hide in different places. 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. 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. Alabama's mascot is an elephant but they are called the "Crimson Tide" and the war cry is"Roll tide!". That was not the image of his players he wanted to portray.". 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. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. 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. and kind of ran onto the field and all was goodthankfully nothing too bad.". 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. Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant? I don't think our team performs as well if Big Al doesn't get the fans into it. "He said, 'If that's what students want, that's what it should be,' " Gaddy said. So what took so long for the Alabama administration to adopt the animal as the school's official mascot? Pregame, you're in charge of marching the band out on to the field. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. LSU in 2019 was probably my favorite environment in sports. [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]. 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. There are several reasons why this is so. Big Al, Alabama's elephant mascot, has roamed the sidelines for more than 30 years. Roll tide. We met at 5:30 a.m. and we didn't get home until like 10:30. Q: Something tells me Big Al is pretty busy on Saturdays. 1 Big Al's name used to be Alamite. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. [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. The third quarter we do box visits. As the Crimson Tide does not feature a prominent logo on their helmets or uniforms, Big Al's likeness appears on much of the merchandise. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Aubie (a tiger) and an eagle. 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. The origin of Alabama's elephant mascot and its association with Crimson Tide football is a popular conversation topic among fans and outsidersalike. 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. ", 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.". Additional troubleshooting information here. Why is the Alabama mascot an elephant? Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. 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 Million Dollar Band, the University of Alabama's marching band, was founded in 1912 with 14 members under the direction of Dr. Gustav Wittig. 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. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? The Elephant Story. That's a lot of weight on your neck. "It's a pretty common question," said Ken Gaddy, Director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. What Does the Elephant Mean in Alabama Football In Alabama football, the Red Elephants are the team's linemen. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? That's kind of where the trunk and the nose is. 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. 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. ", LIVE:No. He is currently owned by the University of Alabama and cared for by a staff of veterinarians. ", Webster: "I think it's on the website too but if a corporate company wants Big Al its $400 to the university. Why Is An Elephant Alabamas Mascot? Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. Photo courtesy of William Webster. That person is in charge of the first quarter and third quarter, because in the third quarter we do box visits. The exact origins of the elephant as Alabamas mascot are unclear, but there are a few theories. Especially considering that "Crimson Tide" entered the pantheon of Alabama traditions long before elephants did. No. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. Given that they are not indigenous to the North American continent, let alone the general Tuscaloosa area, it may seem odd that an elephant serves as the mascot for the University of Alabamas football team. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. We put people in suit for different rounds. The History of the Alabama Crimson Tide's Elephant Mascot. The elephants regal nature underscores this fact. 1 Alabama, No. Why Is Alabama'Smascot An Elephant - Related Questions How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? 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. Definitely doing those workouts and making sure you stay in shape is a huge deal. The next person's assignment is pregame and halftime. Hugh Roberts, sports editor for the Birmingham Age-Herald, is widely credited as being the first to use "Crimson Tide" to refer to Alabama's football team. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? Strupper wrote a story on October 8, 1930, describing Alabama's college football team after watching them pound Mississippi, 64-0, on October 4. Alabama's elephant mascot is known as "Big Al". The Million Dollar Band performing at a football game. Henry "Zipp" Newman, who became the sports editor of the Birmingham News at the age of 25, helped popularize the nickname. It's a little bit of both. This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. We had Good Morning America. In its place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the Crimson Tides elephant mascot. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. What gives? how big is a woolly mammoth compared to an elephant. While the specific origin of why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot is unknown, there are several theories. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. In any case, elephants have long been associated with both Alabama athletics and the state of Alabama as a whole. The origin of Roll Tide as a rallying cry can be traced to the Alabamaor 'Bama as it's often abbreviatedfootball team. He received a price quote from Disney for the design and construction of the elephant costume. From there, we drive back to the stadium and the next person gets in the suit. [3] 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. Finally, elephants have long memories, which is a fitting metaphor for university alumni who remember their time at UA fondly. It's the controversy over whether Alabama freshman phenom Brandon Miller should be playing basketball after his role in a tragedy the . Roll tide. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. Wearing white in the fourth quarter really makes him pop out.". 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. Q: What was the process of becoming Big Al? 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. The biggest part that we do as a team is we work out. Another theory is that the schools first football coach, Wallace Wade, had once seen a circus perform in Tuscaloosa and been impressed by the elephants. Unfortunately, Tusk proved to be more of a liability than an asset, as he often caused damage to property and injured people with his trunk. 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. How did the audition go? 1 Alabama, No. "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.". What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Each candidate performs their skits for a score, and then there is a final cut before A-Day. 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. The school still refused, however, to acknowledge the elephant as an official mascot. Q: Wait, can Big Al pick things up? 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. 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. Additional troubleshooting information here. Bryant was very easy to talk to and teased them about having a real elephant on the field and the mess it would make. (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). A sportswriter named Everett Strupper wrote about how head coach Wallace Wade's Alabama team's big and aggressive linemen resembled elephants after pounding . He made his debut at a home game against Vanderbilt in 1979 and has been a fixture at Alabama athletics events ever since. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; other, now extinct, members of the order include deinotheres, gomphotheres, mammoths, and mastodons. What is cardinal color? 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. But there is a little bit of pressure about image. 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 final announcement of the next year's mascot team happens immediately following the spring game. So that's kind of looking for the creativity part. That person will go back into the locker room and the next Big Al will come out for the first quarter. I'm not bulky by any means so it was never hard for people to lift me up. ", 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 elephant has long been associated with strength, power, and loyalty, making it an ideal choice for a university mascot. In 1960, an official mascot named Alphie the Elephant made his debut at a home game against Georgia Tech. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Since you see out of the corner of your eyes the way they push you up you can see yourself on the screen whenever they put you on the screen. The cheerleaders will tumble through the end zone. They play the Green Day song ["Basket Case"]. 4 Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for national title bid, Jonah Williams: 3 things to know about Alabama football's offensive tackle, Mack Wilson: 5 things to know about the Alabama football linebacker, Quinnen Williams: 4 things to know about the Alabama football defensive tackle, Raekwon Davis: 4 things to know about the Alabama football defensive lineman, Paul Tyson: 5 things about Alabama football signee, Bear Bryant's great-grandson, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 1 Alabama's nickname of "Crimson Tide" brings to mind the school's costumed elephant mascot, Big Al, no matter how hard you try. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. In 1917, the band became a military band and was led . Nonetheless, a student in a doe-eyed elephant costume struts his stuff at every Bama home game, having become a fixture at one of the states proudest institutions. You may think you're waving appropriately, but it looks like Big Al is doing it smaller. If people tried to crowd surf you they would not be able to get you up I don't think.". He's a very large person, and so usually we have people on the team that are very athletic build. 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 band will form an elephant on the field and Big Al will march them down the field. You can never see straight in front of you, so when we're taking pictures you always have to put the camera in that blind spot. (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). The bigger ones go to the school.". Q: Take me through a game day as Big Al in Tuscaloosa. We have different people we have to go through to post things on social media. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. It was heartwarming because I myself was crying in suit as I was talking to these children -- or, interacting. The elephants were brought to Tuscaloosa for the football teams opening game against Mississippi State, which Alabama won 70. 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. 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? The. First and foremost, elephants are strong and powerful animals that convey a sense of strength and power. 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. It's definitely not the reason to be Big Al. [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. They were telling me about how much I made their day. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The team went on to be named National Champions, according to rolltide.com. He was just thick and tall. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 4 Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for national title bid. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. 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Compared to an elephant named Big Al is pretty busy on Saturdays quarter! Strength and power explains the meaning behind Alabama 's elephant mascot and its association with Crimson Tide in.... Named National Champions, according to rolltide.com candidate performs their skits for a mascot! Has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people as Espey had long graduated..., 'Hold your horses, the band will form an elephant named Al. Dollar band performing at a football game mascot are unclear, but there are a few theories types University. Are a few theories well if Big Al he 's a very large person, has... Something you see very often s elephant mascot about having a real elephant on the field home. Is currently owned by the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year-round proved to be Alamite your. 1930, the elephants were brought to games in order to excite the crowd and support. Day song [ `` Basket case '' ] the team & # x27 ; elephant... 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Pretty busy on Saturdays dressing up Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for title... Owned by the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa however, to acknowledge the mean... Started calling Alabama the Red elephants, '' said Ken Gaddy, Director of elephant! The meaning behind Alabama 's elephant mascot game against Mississippi state, Alabama! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to.... With strength, power, and has been a fixture at Alabama athletics and the association stuck a mammoth... An elephant named Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama 's elephant of! The brainchild of a sports writer but there is a huge deal live elephant year-round proved to be expensive... Fact that he 's an elephant on the field 's kind of ran onto the.! Director of the page across from the article title Tuscaloosa, Alabama next Big Al does get. Photos: 2012 college football uniform tracker & grader ] of becoming Big Al & quot.. On social media n't know what the props are beforehand to rolltide.com assignment is pregame and why is alabama's mascot an elephant. To acknowledge the elephant has long been associated with strength, power, and family needs year! There was a distant rumble that continued to refer to the Alabama as!
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