Letter to the Editor: Why choose a mascot at all?

In the June 6, 2010, edition of the DM, Emily Gasson mentioned not having a preferable mascot choice in the lineup presented by the Mascot Committee.

I think she’s onto something.

Perhaps the most rebellious thing would be not to choose a mascot at all. Who needs a large, foam, bobble-headed costume representing the core essences of their athletic and aesthetic values? We should use visual design itself to do this.

The strongest, consistent visual representation of both the University of Mississippi and Ole Miss are simply the colors red and blue, perhaps followed by the image of the Lyceum and the popular logo of the white columns against the red background.

The fact that white is also part of the university colors visually aligns us as patriots, and instead of representing the Old South, we have the opportunity to represent the American South for which we don’t need a “mascot” in particular.

With the school colors alone we could visually represent the multiple concepts that are entwined in the University of Mississippi and Ole Miss - Everyone can be a Rebel.

Whatever is adopted will ultimately be able to be adapted to a visual brand in uniforms, collectibles, and specialty products but should first represent a powerful symbol to generations of Rebel fans, old and new, while attracting students, faculty, and staff to the university in order to present a confident, stable, strong national presence.

The University of Mississippi has obtained national press coverage for its mascot debate.

The news outlets which report that serious consideration is being given to a Star Wars character just don’t get it – that our whole conversation is representative of the pain of process of change - but we should appreciate our ability to stand alongside the health care debate and the war in Iraq in the morning news.

We should recognize this incredible opportunity to become emblematic rather than problematic, and that in all the decisions possible there is the possibility not to have a “mascot” at all. As we are celebrating innovation with the “Experience Amazing” campaign at the University of Mississippi and continue to celebrate tradition with “Ole Miss” we have the ultimate opportunity to present a visual concept that can unite the two distinct identities.

By playing this ultimate trump card, The University of Mississippi and Ole Miss could win the same high stakes game with itself.

William Pittman Andrews,
Director University Museum and Historic Houses