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The Ole Miss Rebels will have a new mascot starting in 2018. On Saturday, Aug. 11, the Rebels officially unveiled their new mascot, Tony the Landshark, after new Landshark mascot comes after the university decided to retire Rebel the Bear. Rebel the Bear had been the mascot since 2010. The previous mascot was Colonel Reb, who was retired in 2003.
Now, it’s Tony time at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
“The growth of the Landshark mystique over the last seven years has been phenomenal with every athletics team embracing it, including such standouts as Marshall Henderson with basketball and Kaitlin Lee with softball, in leading their respective teams to SEC championships,” Ole Miss chancellor Jeffrey Vitter said in a statement when the change was announced.
Here are some photos of the new mascot following today’s official unveiling.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmWYwBdFFR3/?tagged=finsuprebels
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmWUa3Mlgps/?tagged=finsuprebels
Introducing @OleMissSports new Mascot Tony!! Are you ready for some @OleMissFB!! Hotty Toddy🔴🔵💪 pic.twitter.com/Xugq0QsYIj
— Kermit Davis (@RebelCoachDavis) August 11, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmWb1Tkghj2/?tagged=finsuprebels
Ole Miss also unveiled some facts about the new mascot. He wears No. 47, was inspired by Ole Miss football letterwinner Tony Fein, his favorite movie is Jaws, his favorite food is anything below him on the food chain, favorite song is “Fins” by Jimmy Buffet, and favorite colors are, obviously, red and blue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmV4OkxlTHb/?taken-by=landsharktony
The first opportunity for fans at Ole Miss to see Tony the Landshark gracing the sideline at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be when the Rebels host FCS program Southern Illinois in the second game of their 2018 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 8.
