New Ole Miss mascot Rebel Black Bear. The University of Mississippi said goodbye to Colonel Rebel and hello to the Rebel Black Bear. The old mascot was deemed "too confederate" and for the past decade or so, the southern university has been trying to take the old south out of its image. However, what the university failed to get rid of is the term "rebel" in their name. What's different from "Colonel Rebel" or "Rebel Black Bear"?
This reminds me of when a relatively small college in Arkansas, Arkansas State University, changed their mascot from a respectable Indian to a laughable Red Wolves (btw - the Red Wolves are extinct...)
The decision for a new logo was something that was taken very seriously. Several studies and surveys were designed, and finally the team charged with coming up with a new mascot came up with the new idea.
Video coverage of the new mascot selection can be fun here. This is what local students think of their new mascot.
