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Ever since Colonel Ebirt, an amorphous green blob wearing a tri-cornered hat, was retired as the College of William and Mary’s unofficial mascot in 2005, the issue of finding a replacement has been eclipsed by more urgent issues.
Interim College President Taylor Reveley said the reason he hesitated to begin the search is because “mascots are a very dangerous subject.”
“I think that could either go very well and be a very entertaining and unifying thing, or it could turn into a huge mess,” he said. “And since we don’t need any messes right now, we haven’t gotten started.”
Reveley said the Tribe itself is a mascot.
“We actually aren’t mascot-less because we have the concept of the Tribe. And that is what most people would call a mascot,” he said. “It’s just that it doesn’t have any physical manifestation.”
Nevertheless, some students and administrators have been discussing the next mascot — especially after the College’s new logos were unveiled last year to general dislike. The Student Assembly will vote tonight on a bill to create a committee that would organize student submissions and provide a $500 reward to the student whose idea wins.
According to Reveley, several possibilities have come to his attention.
“On the bird front, there are two contending fowl. There’s the Phoenix, which frankly I like, but there’s also the Wren, the Fighting Wren, that has a very powerful constituency,” he said. “And then there are those who say, whatever we do, no birds.”
During an address to the Board of Visitors in April, Reveley spoke at
length about the phoenix, comparing it to the College in that both overcome challenges and emerge stronger.
Reveley said that when the time comes to officially choose a new mascot, he hopes open discussions prompt diverse ideas.
“Let’s let a thousand flowers bloom,” he said. “Let’s have all the suggestions anybody has come in, and let’s see what shakes out.”
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7 Comments
Can we have a competition
Can we have a competition and small monetary reward for a new new logo also?
None of my money will go to support W&M academics or general funds until they scrap the new logo and try again.
I was a fan of Sam Sadler while at school, but they put him in charge of this business, and he left us with a TERRIBLE logo (did they even run it by a focus group???) and no mascot.
I’m so sick of alumni
I’m so sick of alumni holding their “donations” over the heads of the College. No honorable person would let a fricking logo affect their support of the College. I hate the logo, but I would never let that change what I give to this school.
If you want to withhold your money – money the College could use to increase salaries, expand class offerings, and increase financial aid – then forget you. Your pettiness is a disgrace.
Friesian Horse W&M
Friesian Horse W&M Mascot
....and ironically the nickname of the Friesian is “the feathered horse’”. The parallels with the College are kind of scary.
W&M mascot:The Friesian
W&M mascot:The Friesian horse!
The college community deserves a mascot it can take pride in and that has ties to the school. History is a big part of W&M. Years ago the College used a pony. But a stronger image is needed. We also need a unique symbol. Many schools use a phoenix, so that is commonplace. One “hokie” mascot in Virginia is plenty. No school or professional sports team uses a Friesian horse… so it would be unique. The breed is rare, majestic and has clear links to William & Mary and history. William himself was from Holland (home of the Friesian). The Queen of England is now sponsor of the Fell Pony Society-basically a mini-Friesian. The Friesian breed was saved/reborn (almost lost during war…like the college).
The Friesian horse is the choice of movie-makers when they want an impressive breed (see the movie “Aragon”, “LadyHawke”, ‘Zorro”...). Jet black with a long mane and tail and high stepping gait. Muscular, yet elegant.
Selection of a mascot is an important decision; it reflects both the spirit and image of the College. It should be researched carefully, but the decision should not be shelved indefinitely.
Rob Hale 1983, W&M faculty
Karen Aneiro 1997
Libel! I am not amorphous. I have a head, evidenced by my stylish hat, and at the least, legs and arms.
Let’s not call names, Flat Hat. Besides, I wasn’t “retired”, I was deployed to Iraq. Times are tough for this man’s army.
I’m still withholding any donations to the College until we go back to the old logo – or at least try. Don’t even get me started on a mascot.
I like the Phoenix idea. Hopefully we’ll get something in the near future. The more meaningful it is the more I think students and alums will support it. I’m sure people will flock to buy the new merchandise with new mascot at homecomings and such.