University, MS—
FAST FACTS:
- "Colonel Rebel" is longtime Ole Miss Mascot
- Administrators begin replacing "old south" symbols
- Currently in selection process for new mascot
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(University, MS 9/1/2010) The days are numbers for a long-time piece of southern history.
For years, the Colonel Rebel character symbolized Ole Miss.
But in recent years the University of Mississippi has worked to shed all its ties to the old south.
Ole Miss has been trying for the last 15 or so, to get rid of the character.
It's last attempt ended in failure, but this time the school seems determined to send Colonel Rebel into retirement for good.
Bailey Magee spent part of her day at the Rebel Rags store scooping up anything with a Colonel Rebel character on it. "Oh yeah, for my sister." "What did she tell you?" She just wants me to get as much as I can before they sell out because she won't be able to get it anymore."
Why's that? As of September first, the University of Mississippi yanked the license for Colonel Rebel items.
It's part of the schools attempt to make-over its image by shedding symbols of the so-called "old south".
Monday, all licensing agreements for the use of the Colonel Rebel character expired, and what's left on store shelves is all that remains of the mascot.
"Most everybody wants to have a piece of Colonel Rebel." said Terry Warren, owner of the "Rebel Rags" store.
At Rebel Rags, folks are picking up these items while they're still available.
The retirement of Colonel Rebel creates a lot of uncertainty for retailers. Many of them say they're going to be very careful about what Ole Miss merchandise they stock, because no one seems to be sure what move the school will make next.
The announcement of a new mascot could be weeks, or months, away.
Meantime, store owners are busy moving the Colonel Rebel merchandise, and at Rebel Rags, they're introducing their own mascot. Say hello to "Foxy Rebel".
"Yesterday was a big rush from vendors everywhere calling, wanting to know what we could take, what we couldn't to get it out of their warehouse. We bought a large sum of it yesterday. It'll be here over the next week or so." said Warren.
But when the Colonel Reb merchandise is gone, it's gone for good.
Bailey Magee doesn't like that very much. She says the adoption of the mascot should be a personal decision. "You don't have to be a fan. I mean, everyone loves Ole Miss, everyone loves Colonel Reb, so if you don't want to be a fan you don't have to be."
From here Colonel Rebel goes to what's called the "college vault program" only to be used and occasionally licensed for special occasions and "historical use".
