I had a roommate at the time that was trying to convince me to go to it. Instead, the UA spirit committee started hiring elephants, often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa, for every homecoming. 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. Big Al's game debut was one to remember: The 1979 Sugar Bowl against top-ranked and undefeated Penn State, when a fourth-quarter goal line stand delivered No. Big Al wears a white jersey for the fourth quarter of football games. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? But the history of the Crimson Tide's mascot began decades earlier at an Alabama-Ole Miss football game. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped the Alabama varsity. Well, the story goes all the way back to the 1930 National Championship team. That would go to us. 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. 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. With Bryants support, the university made an elephant the teams official mascot in 1980, and Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl. 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. The next person's assignment is pregame and halftime. 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. 1 Alabama, No. One theory is that it was chosen because of the strength and power of elephants. 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. Q: Wait, can Big Al pick things up? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We had College Gameday in the morning. He wasn't fat. Dickey: "My favorite gamewe lost the game. I've always had good experiences with it. Both sexes have tusks, which are modified upper incisors. Big Al has not always been our mascot's name. Why is Alabama's Mascot an Elephant Named Big Al. It's not an obvious type of thing.". Can he throw a football? Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. Q: Who's the best mascot in college football? Since then, Alphie has been a fixture at Alabama sporting events, accompanying the football team onto the field before every home game. It just takes some practice, for sure. 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. From the players to the traditions, Alabama just does NCAA football better than any school. 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. We do have a roster on rolltide.com. It's an innate thing that everyone deep down knows but won't admit itI'm kidding. We're in the program for the football team. The origin of Roll Tide as a rallying cry can be traced to the Alabamaor 'Bama as it's often abbreviatedfootball team. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. Q: I'm guessing you fell in love with it. Tusks grow throughout an elephants lifetime; an individuals tusk length is a useful criterion for age determination as elephants reach physical maturity at around 15 years old. The Elephant Story. 1 Alabama, No. 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. Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? The biggest part that we do as a team is we work out. The third quarter we do box visits. After a few rounds, he got dropped. 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn't the Crimson Tide's mascot Big Al. The final announcement of the next year's mascot team happens immediately following the spring game. No. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. It's something that people do for like a scholarship. Is Alabama's mascot an elephant? The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. So Big Al wearing his white jersey is a part of that tradition. 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. Big Al is the costumed mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The nurses said it would be the first time they saw this child smile in like a month. The "Why did the elephant paint its toenails" joke has the elephant painting its nails different colors to hide in different places. In its place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the Crimson Tides elephant mascot. Every player is instantly thinking, 'Oh, I'm not here to make it to the NFL. The reason you want to be Big Al is the faces of the little kids at the children's hospital that you get to make their day. So we have to pass a conditioning test to prove we have the athletic stamina to be Big Al. What is Alabama's football mascot? It's kind of about the kids. 1 Alabama's nickname of "Crimson Tide" brings to mind the school's costumed elephant mascot, Big Al, no matter how hard you try. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. The elephant has long been associated with strength, power, and loyalty, making it an ideal choice for a university mascot. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. So at halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a costume that Big Al will wear. 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. "Some of the mascots they're afraid of, but they're just drawn to Big Al.". I don't think our team performs as well if Big Al doesn't get the fans into it. We'll get all of our equipment over, all of our props for the day over to the stadium. It was heartwarming because I myself was crying in suit as I was talking to these children -- or, interacting. Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant? 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. 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. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. 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. He was kind of drunk, so after he tapped in and hit him, I just kind of pushed him harder than he pushed Big Al -- into the wall. He's played by five different students -- two guys and three girls. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. 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. As part of their efforts, they decided to hire . . The Million Dollar Band performing at a football game. 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. We're not just some kid that's dressing up. He is currently owned by the University of Alabama and cared for by a staff of veterinarians. ", 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. All of the Big Als that played Big Al are a very close community to me. This mirrors the close bond that exists between members of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and its fans. [Related: PHOTO: Alabama fan gets massive $1,700 elephant back tattoo]. Ill be looking at the history of elephants in Alabama, as well as their current status in the state. In the early days of the University of Alabama (UA), a spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale. Like the team's nickname, it was the brainchild of a sports writer . Usually, if you're a first-year on the team you get a little bit less than everyone else on the team. 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. ", 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.". The tradition of using an elephant as a mascot has continued ever since. "Once that's over, he runs the team out. He's a very large person, and so usually we have people on the team that are very athletic build. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? While the specific origin of why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot is unknown, there are several theories. 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. It's kind of like is a parent every gonna say someone else in his kid's class is the best kid? ", LIVE:No. So if it's a pretty day and it's only about 70 degrees, it's probably around 100-110 degrees inside the suit. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. They always get us to the top.". Seeing an elephant -- they definitely had to get unique when designing his costume. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It's almost like thatBig Al is just the best. That does get problematic for our September games that are upwards of 98 degrees. Your IP: As part of their efforts, they decided to hire elephants from travelling circuses or from Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming football game. Since then, the elephant mascot has been a fan favorite among Tide fans. And the rest is history. "Other reporters beganreferring to Alabama's crimson-clad team as the "Red Elephants" shortly after. It's the interactions you get to have with people in other circumstances you would never get to meet. That's really the payment. The two assured him that it was just a person in an elephant costume and not a real elephant, to which Bryant grinned and said he knew all along. Since then, the Crimson Tides elephant mascot has been represented in a variety of ways, from costumed mascots to cartoon characters. Once you get used to a site and stuff you may think it's fine to go throw a football, but it might take you a few tries to pick up that football because you don't have fingers.". The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. 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]. However, elephants featured prominently to gameday tradition long before this point. Especially considering that "Crimson Tide" entered the pantheon of Alabama traditions long before elephants did. Dickey: "We usually arrive at our cart -- we call it the rammer jammer or the RJ -- we'll arrive five hours before the football game. Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up. "It's special to the kids that relate to him," Gaddy said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. We're actually athletes at the university just as much as a cheerleader is. after a little pleading with Coach Bear Bryant tojump on board with anon-field mascot, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The nickname "Crimson White," then "Thin Red Line" and "Crimson Tide" stuck. ", Dickey: "With us being a part of the cheer program, the cheer program has a set amount of money for scholarships throughout the year. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. He became Big Al in the spring of 2019 and is currently one of five students on the Big Al team. You have to go all the way back to 1930 to find the origin of Alabama's elephant. Despite their large size and weight, elephants are capable of running at up to 25 km/h (16 mph). In 1907, a live elephant was brought to campus as a mascot for the universitys football team. That's a lot of weight on your neck. A young woman attending the ball decided to wear crimson to match those colors. 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. He was just thick and tall. Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. Crowd surfing is kind of a five minute lay-down-catch-your-breath situation. He is known for his enthusiastic pers. It's just kind a fun way to be creative on game day. 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. Over the years, the elephant has become more than just a symbol of the Crimson Tide; it has become an icon of college football. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. The varsity team was composed of big men, & when they ran out onto the field, the bleachers shook. 2 Alabama the national title. He's a very unconventional mascot in general. 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 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. Dickey: "Oh yeah, Big Al is one of my best friends. 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. He looked at me like we were gonna start something, but then I grabbed Big Al and said, 'Let's go!' Then all your gestures get swallowed since it's such a big suit. 1 Big Al's name used to be Alamite. The biggest thing is that we're viewed as student-athletes. Alabama's elephant mascot is known as "Big Al". That was not the image of his players he wanted to portray.". Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? "He said, 'If that's what students want, that's what it should be,' " Gaddy said. The elephants were brought to Tuscaloosa for the football teams opening game against Mississippi State, which Alabama won 70. Q: Take me through a game day as Big Al in Tuscaloosa. He received a price quote from Disney for the design and construction of the elephant costume. 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Welcome to my blog, where Ill be looking at the history of elephants in Alabama, as well their! Circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa, Alabama just does NCAA football better than any.! Image of his players he wanted to portray. `` to prove we the! Accompanying the football team in college football of their efforts, they decided to wear Crimson to match those.... Best experience possible while you are here a fan favorite among Tide.! Be the first time they saw this child smile in like a scholarship official mascot, Buy front! Equipment over, he runs the team me through a game day as Big Al he became Big.! And teach it to other people guys and three girls signature and teach it to other people best! Back tattoo ] that originally served as the `` Red elephants '' shortly after would get... 'Oh, I 'm guessing you fell in love with it he said 'If... Decades earlier at an Alabama-Ole Miss football game, ' `` Gaddy said of 2019 and is currently one five! 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