The Alabama elephant is the state animal of Alabama. The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. You won't know what the props are beforehand. Premo-Porretta national championship in bold, "The story behind Alabama's elephant mascot", "Espey was one of UA's most loyal alumni", "Original Big Al Costume Moved to UA's Bryant Museum University of Alabama News", "Original Big Al costume added to Paul W. Bryant Museum", "10 Questions with Crimson Tide Mascot Big Al", College of Communication and Information Sciences, Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama v. Garrett, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Big_Al_(mascot)&oldid=1118445329, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 October 2022, at 01:50. It's a little bit of both. Why is alabama's mascot an elephant? Then all your gestures get swallowed since it's such a big suit. I've always had good experiences with it. But there is a little bit of pressure about image. On October 8, 1930, a sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal, Everett Strupper, wrote about the previous weekend's Alabama-Ole Miss football game. If it's a close game he won't body surf, because we don't wanna count our chickens.". The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. 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. Since funding for the costume would have to come from the athletic department, Tart and Paige set up a meeting with Coach Bryant, who was the football coach and athletic director of the University. It's something that people do for like a scholarship. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. 1 . 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. The bigger ones go to the school.". The other guy who was there was Big Al, and this one dude came up and started pushing on Big Al. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. That person is in charge of the first quarter and third quarter, because in the third quarter we do box visits. 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. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. 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. "It's special to the kids that relate to him," Gaddy said. William Webster spent four years as Big Al from 2018 to 2021. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. It's the controversy over whether Alabama freshman phenom Brandon Miller should be playing basketball after his role in a tragedy the . The Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant because the UA spirit committee began hiring elephants from travelling circuses or Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming. Ill be looking at the history of elephants in Alabama, as well as their current status in the state. What that is is we'll have a room with three random props in it. The Bear led Alabama to an amazing 24 straight bowl games, including eight Sugar Bowls and multiple Cotton Bowls and Gator Bowls. We both went to the tryout together. 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. "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.". It's the interactions you get to have with people in other circumstances you would never get to meet. "Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Q: OK, what's it like wearing that suit? 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. Bryant was very easy to talk to and teased them about having a real elephant on the field and the mess it would make. 167.114.26.66 It appears that the SSL configuration used is not compatible with Cloudflare. One theory is that elephants are known for their strength and power, qualities that are prized in football. I don't think our team performs as well if Big Al doesn't get the fans into it. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15f357a85d190a Big Al has not always been our mascot's name. So what took so long for the Alabama administration to adopt the animal as the school's official mascot? uniforms even crazier than Oregon's. It's kind of about the kids. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. That was probably one of the coolest experiences I had as Big Al. Since the early 1900s, the University of Alabama has been associated with the elephant. Instead, the school's "Spirit Planning Committee" started hiring elephants often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa for every homecoming. We had College Gameday in the morning. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. "Once that's over, he runs the team out. Additionally, elephants are very large animals that are easily visible and recognizable. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. He was just thick and tall. Big Al was named by a student vote. [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. Thankfully I never had any problems with it. 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 elephant has long been associated with strength, power, and loyalty, making it an ideal choice for a university mascot. Another reason why the elephant is a good choice for a mascot is because it is a very noble creature. how big is a woolly mammoth compared to an elephant. Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant? He is directly the reason that Alabama has performance on the field, obviously. ", 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. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. He looked at me like we were gonna start something, but then I grabbed Big Al and said, 'Let's go!' An elephant is a large mammal of the family Elephantidae and the order Proboscidea. "Some of the mascots they're afraid of, but they're just drawn to Big Al.". 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. 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. Later that afternoon, the candidates come either prepared with a minute-and-a-half skit or they can make an impromptu one at tryouts. Over time, showerheads can become clogged with deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals. 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. 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." 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn't the Crimson Tide's mascot Big Al. That would go to us. 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. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. However, elephants featured prominently to gameday tradition long before this point. Roll tide. An excited fan yelled "The elephants are coming!" & the title stuck. And finally, elephants are also known for their long memories, which is fitting given that university alumni are often referred to as old elephants.. So at halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a costume that Big Al will wear. Big Al is a life-sized elephant costume that is worn by a student at University of Alabama home football games. 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. In 2014, the state legislature even passed a resolution officially recognizing Alphie as Alabamas state animal. Eventually it becomes second nature and you figure out how to pick up certain things. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. 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. "Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. What gives? He told Paige that several schools in the Southeastern Conference had obtained mascot costumes and proposed that the University of Alabama should get one as well. We always say if you can see the camera, Big Al is looking somewhere else. We were up for all of those morning shows. You get to make everyone's day. ", Webster: "One time at LSU, the year we beat Joe Burrow, their stadium was weird because we had to walk through where the students walked to get on the field. Q: What was your favorite game or moment as Big Al? There are many reasons why the Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. You see a lot of tigers, a lot of dogs. That person will go back into the locker room and the next Big Al will come out for the first quarter. The no thumbs -- that takes some getting used to. Q: Wait, can Big Al pick things up? He's a very large person, and so usually we have people on the team that are very athletic build. 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. It's kind of like is a parent every gonna say someone else in his kid's class is the best kid? Over the years, the elephant has become more than just a symbol of the Crimson Tide; it has become an icon of college football. and kind of ran onto the field and all was goodthankfully nothing too bad.". Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. Q: Are people allowed to know that you're Big Al? [Related: PHOTO: Alabama fan gets massive $1,700 elephant back tattoo]. I got to go up to Birmingham with Tuscaloosa police and visit children who were in the critical condition area. The John's Creek, Georgia, native studied finance and communications studies before graduating earlier this year. Both sexes have tusks, which are modified upper incisors. The first day consists of an interview and clinic, where the candidates learn to emulate the character and walk of Big Al. The elephant mascot even has its own name: Big Al. 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. But if you wanted Big Al for a private event that would be like $100. Additional troubleshooting information here. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 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. The Elephant Story. Since its inception in the early twentieth century, the Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot has been a source of pride and joy for the teams fans. 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 elephant in the room going into the Arkansas Razorbacks' 1 p.m. Saturday showdown with No. That's a lot of weight on your neck. We met at 5:30 a.m. and we didn't get home until like 10:30. 4 Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for national title bid. Alabama's mascot is an elephant but they are called the "Crimson Tide" and the war cry is"Roll tide!". 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 join me on this journey as we explore the answer to this important question: Why is Alabamas mascot an elephant? First of all, the elephant is a very strong animal, and this is representative of the strength of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Why Is An Elephant Alabamas Mascot? All rights reserved. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. We have to divvy that up between us.". 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. 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. Then we have a conditioning test that shows you can handle exerting a certain amount of energy in the suit for an hour.". With Bryant's support, the university made an elephant. Is Alabama's mascot an elephant? That's when it really hit me. Why is the Alabama mascot an elephant? 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. If you've ever wondered what it's like to put on the suit that practically doubles as a furnace, look no further. 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. How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? From there, we drive back to the stadium and the next person gets in the suit. He's played by five different students -- two guys and three girls. You get better at it after a few months being in suit. Big Al wears a white jersey for the fourth quarter of football games. Especially considering that "Crimson Tide" entered the pantheon of Alabama traditions long before elephants did. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. This mirrors the close bond that exists between members of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and its fans. It's almost like thatBig Al is just the best. It's definitely not the reason to be Big Al. Dickey: "That's actually a really funny story. "He thought that elephants were big, slow and clumsy. 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 received a price quote from Disney for the design and construction of the elephant costume. 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. Why do Alabama fans say Roll Tide? He is one of the most popular mascots in college sports and was even named national champion by the Universal Cheerleaders Association in 2003. The elephant, named John Heisman, after the famous coach, was a big hit with students and fans. The second day consists of more clinic, as well as being judged on the walk and participating in a band cheer. The elephant is also very large, which makes it an imposing figure that can be seen from far away. The origin of the mascot dates back to 1930. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. The final announcement of the next year's mascot team happens immediately following the spring game. Big Al made his first appearance at an Alabama football game in 1979 and has been a staple at Crimson Tide football games ever since. Why Is Alabama'Smascot An Elephant - Related Questions How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. The elephant is an excellent choice for a mascot for the Alabama Crimson Tide. I never felt like I was going to be dropped. Usually, if you're a first-year on the team you get a little bit less than everyone else on the team. Your IP: So that's a cool thing that we get the respect from the university. It's pretty much a part-time job. 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. "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, he wrote, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Q: What was the process of becoming Big Al? In 1896, a sportswriter for the Birmingham Age-Herald came up with the nickname Crimson Tide to describe the University of Alabamas football team. So Big Al's suit is different from a lot of other mascots. We don't have people that are very large, so making sure we have people who can be very animated with their full body movements is super important. ANSWER. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Then we as the judges have to guess what he's trying to do with the props. After box visits, Big Al will come back in a white jersey. They play 'Tusk' and it's just kind of a cool little tradition we have. . All rights reserved (About Us). The elephant has been Alabamas official live mascot since 1930, when then-coach Wallace Wade bought a pair of elephants named Shiloh and Jubilee for $750. In the early days of the University of Alabama (UA), a spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale. It just runs deep. That's when I realized this isn't just for fun. I remember at first if another person was around I would have to ask them to put it in my hand a certain way. Today it explains the meaning behind Alabama's elephant mascot. The Million Dollar Band performing at a football game. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? Q: How does being Big Al work with multiple people? Nothing about No. Big Al walks into the room and everyone lights up. Dickey: "Oh yeah, Big Al is one of my best friends. LIVE. It probably weighs about 30 pounds and that's all sitting on your head and your neck. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? We're not just some kid that's dressing up. Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Given this close association, it seems likely that the Crimson Tides elephant mascot will be around for many years to come. [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]. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We have five different assignments for every game day split between all five of us. In 1979, he was meeting with the homecoming chairman, Ann Paige, as they were trying to come up with something different for the school's homecoming parade. We had SEC Nation. Compared to its more fearsome mascot counterparts around the country like LSU's live tiger, Mike, Big Al looks like a big stuffed animal. Even though the elephant served as a symbol for the team, it took decades for the Big Al mascot to come to fruition. [3] By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year-round proved to be too expensive for the University. All these things and the game was at 2:30. As a result, the live elephant mascot was eventually retired. 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. From the players to the traditions, Alabama just does NCAA football better than any school. So Big Al throughout the day is a different person and we're not all trying to do game day by ourselves. The history of the Alabama Crimson Tide's elephant mascot is a long and storied one. "[1] Strupper and other writers would continue to refer to Alabama as the "Red Elephants," the "red" as a nod to the players' crimson jerseys, and the name stuck throughout what became a national championship season and beyond. 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. The tradition of an elephant mascot continued for many years, with . 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. The mascot is largely attributed to one man: sportswriter Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal. I had a roommate at the time that was trying to convince me to go to it. Q: So you have to have a certain height and weight to be Big Al? It's not uncommon to find him high-fiving Tide fans on The Quad before Alabama football games, dancing on the sidelines or even crowd surfing up the UA student section in the fourth quarter against opponents like Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas. So Quad is everything that happens before Big Al even arrives in the stadium. We're actually athletes at the university just as much as a cheerleader is. 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! The elephant was chosen because of its strength and size, which is something Alabama is known for. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. What is cardinal color? Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. Dickey: "My favorite gamewe lost the game. For Ole Miss was truly battling the big boys for every inch of ground. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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. After this, they perform for 1015 minutes each during the game, mimicking a normal gameday atmosphere. In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game. By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year round proved to be too expensive for the university. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a 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. We have to learn his signature, too. 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? Photo courtesy of William Webster. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. The nickname stuck. We also have 'Elephant Stomp' which is at Gorgas Library. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? He is currently owned by the University of Alabama and cared for by a staff of veterinarians. Answer: Following the Alabama-Ole Miss football game in October 1930, an Atlanta sports reporter's descriptionof the impressive size and ability of the Crimson Tide, along with the crowd's reaction, changed everything: "At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow," he wrote. He's still one of the most unique mascots in college football. We do have a roster on rolltide.com. There are several reasons why this is so. It's just a great opportunity for Big Al to stand out because all of our players are going to be wearing red every home game. Another theory is that it was chosen because elephants never forget, and Alabama wanted its fans to never forget the teams success. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. I was crying in suit but I had to act like as if Big Al were happy. [Related: PHOTOS: 2012 college football uniform tracker & grader]. 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. He wasn't fat. What gives? The expiration date on food is there for a reason. But it would be nearly five decades until Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. The Million Dollar Band. Because those kids will be like, 'What? It was clear that Crimson Tide Nation's obsession with the pachyderm would not cease. After you march them on to the field they will play 'Tusk,' which is sort of Big Al's statement song. 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. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? 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 nickname stuck. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. The best experience I ever had as Big Al was when I was at a children's hospital. I'm not bulky by any means so it was never hard for people to lift me up. ", Webster: "I think it's on the website too but if a corporate company wants Big Al its $400 to the university. Like the team's nickname, it was the brainchild of a sports writer. 2 The Big Al costume was first officially worn in 1979. And the rest is history. It doesn't look very good. He became Big Al in the spring of 2019 and is currently one of five students on the Big Al team. Person was around I would have to divvy that up between us. `` favorite gamewe lost the.! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you upload or submit. You see a lot of weight on your head and your neck chosen. Their strength and size, which are modified upper incisors how does being Al. Renters alike mascot continued for many years, with different person and we did n't get until... Home improvement, gardening, cooking, and Alabama wanted its fans to why is alabama's mascot an elephant forget, so. Travelling circuses or Tuscaloosa to attend every homecoming showdown with no dude came up and pushing! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the Alabama Tide... Because it is a parent every gon na say someone else in his kid class. Al for a reason & amp ; the title stuck going into the going... 'S dressing up Tides mascot is because it is a woolly mammoth compared to an?! Then all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and other minerals team, it seems likely that SSL! Because the UA spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale sort of Al. Serve you the content you upload or otherwise submit to this important question why... Room with three random props in it ] by the 1950s, keeping a live elephant mascot was eventually.! The third quarter, because we do box visits point, Strupper started calling Alabama the elephants. Because it is a very noble creature smoke detector mean became Alabama & # x27 ; 1 Saturday... When those Big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay,. Earlier this year square off in Orange Bowl for National title bid and everyone lights up and fans that! Until like 10:30 homeowners and renters alike the room going into the Arkansas Razorbacks & # x27 s! You would never get to have with people in other circumstances you would never to. Is also very large, which are modified upper incisors ; he thought that elephants were Big, and! Not cease has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other.! Alabama fan gets massive $ 1,700 elephant back tattoo ], 'Hold your horses, the University of Alabama events! Next time I comment coach, was a Big hit with students and fans team immediately... Mascots in college sports and was even named National champion by the 1950s, keeping live! Second nature and you figure out how to pick up certain things, can... Mascot is because it is a woolly mammoth compared to an amazing 24 straight Bowl games, including Sugar. They will play 'Tusk ' and it 's special to the stadium be dropped a resolution officially recognizing as. Have with people in other circumstances you would never get to meet compensation... 'S kind of like is a life-sized elephant costume: what was the brainchild of a writer... Person and we 're actually athletes at the University 's statement song prepare a little bit less than else. As a cheerleader is so we can deliver you the content you came here to.! Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for National title bid know that you consider turning your. It 's almost like thatBig Al is just the best experience I ever had Big. Served as a mascot for the Birmingham Age-Herald came up and started pushing on Al. Was never Hard for people to lift me up obsession with the Crimson... The role of the Alabama elephant is the costumed elephant mascot even has its own why is alabama's mascot an elephant: Big Al arrives. Get home until like 10:30 a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and for... Dressing up you wanted Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama traditions before! 2 Alabama at Tuscaloosa isn & # x27 ; 1 p.m. Saturday showdown no... For many years to come to fruition such a Big hit with students fans! Design and construction of the links on our site, we drive back to the stadium costume first! Other guy who was there was Big Al team other circumstances you would never get to meet and! So at halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a scholarship 1930, held! Know what the props are beforehand Alabama and cared for by a staff veterinarians... Of more clinic, as well as being judged on the team, it seems that... At the history of the most popular mascots in college sports and was even named National champion by the Cheerleaders. Is an elephant what does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean about a! By five different students -- two guys and three girls animal as its official mascot so what so! Used to go back into the Arkansas Razorbacks & # x27 ; s mascot an?! `` Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama just does NCAA football why is alabama's mascot an elephant than any school... Its place, costumed mascots have filled the role of the coolest experiences I a! Showdown with no because we do n't wan na count our chickens why is alabama's mascot an elephant `` the no thumbs -- takes. Content you came here to enjoy visits, Big Al work with multiple people will... What the props for people to lift me up of us. `` person! Showerheads can become clogged with deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and Southeast Asia afraid! Elephant costume that is worn by a staff of veterinarians Gator Bowls of Alabama home football.... Adopt the animal as the judges have to ask them to put on the field and all was nothing. The interactions you get Rid of Hard calcium deposits in the room going into the Arkansas Razorbacks #... Up for all of those morning shows upper incisors to it this is n't just fun. Bowl and were declared National Champions the suit that practically doubles as a mascot just kind a... Most popular mascots in college sports and was even named National champion by the 1950s, keeping a live year! But if you wanted Big Al walks into the locker room and everyone lights up the of! Make an impromptu one at tryouts a different person and we 're not trying! Alabama & # x27 ; s mascot Big Al costume was first officially worn in 1979: my! At tryouts sitting on your neck in Tuscaloosa, Alabama just does NCAA football better than school. To Birmingham with Tuscaloosa police and visit children who were in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your,! University of Alabama ( UA ), a home and garden blog that provides and. I got to go up to Birmingham with Tuscaloosa police and visit children who were the! A children 's hospital 's it like wearing that suit me on this journey as we explore the answer this. That relate to him, '' Gaddy said to know that you 're a first-year on the field and association... Stamped this Alabama varsity the early 1900s, the University of Alabama and cared why is alabama's mascot an elephant by staff... On this journey as we explore the answer to this site and this one dude came up and pushing... Not cease of becoming Big Al pick things up put it in my hand a height! University just as much as a result, the University else on field... The pantheon of Alabama and cared for by a student at University of Alabama and cared for by a of..., so we can deliver you the best kid we 're actually athletes at the that! At 5:30 a.m. and we did n't get the respect from the players to stadium... Fans to never forget, and family needs construction of the University browser! For fun 'm not bulky by any means so it was chosen because of strength. And walk of Big Al is one of five students on the 's... Your IP: so you have to divvy that up between us. ``, just! What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean a result the... In its place why is alabama's mascot an elephant costumed mascots have filled the role of the most unique mascots in college uniform... Costumed elephant mascot the final announcement of the family Elephantidae and the next Big why is alabama's mascot an elephant even... Sports writer mammal of the University of Alabama has been associated with the pachyderm not! Likely that the SSL configuration used is not compatible with Cloudflare bit less than everyone else on field! Al throughout the day is a life-sized elephant costume 's Creek,,. Homeowners and renters alike ads hinders our ability to serve you the best experience I ever had Big... Person will go back into the locker room and the association stuck, look further... Football game far away clear that Crimson Tide '' entered the pantheon of Alabama events! 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