Mississippi Rebels
From Hoopedia
University of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood", were re-named the Rebels in 1935 and compete in the competitive Southeastern Conference (West Division) of the NCAA's Division. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue, purposely chosen to mirror the school colors of Harvard and Yale, respectively.
The name Rebels as Ole Miss' official athletic nickname emerged in 1936. Suggested by Judge Ben Guider of Vicksburg, it was one of five entries submitted to Southern sports writers for final selection from a list totaling more than 200 proposed nicknames. The promotion was a contest sponsored by The Mississippian, student newspaper. Of the 42 newsmen contacted, 21 responded. "Rebels" was the choice of 18. The University Athletic Committee made the name official with the Committee chairman, the late Judge William Hemingway, stating: "If 18 sports writers wish to use ‘Rebels', I shall not rebel, so let it go ‘Ole Miss Rebels.'"
Two years later, the yearbook appeared as "The Rebel Number" with "Colonel Reb" making a new entrance as the publication's leading illustration. "Colonel Rebel" has since become a near-official University insignia.
Since 1983, the administration has distanced itself from Confederate symbols, including barring faculty from displaying any Confederate imagery in their offices. In 1997, sticks were banned, under the guise of fan safety, to discourage fans from displaying the Confederate battle flag at football games. This controversy began when head football coach Tommy Tuberville complained that the battle flag had hampered his attempts to recruit a few top-notch black athletes.
In 2003, the administration eliminated Colonel Reb, the mascot since 1979. A contest was held in which fans were invited to design a replacement. The athletic department chose two finalists, Rebel Bruiser and Rowdy Rebel, and invited fans to vote on their favorite. The limited fan response as well as ridicule from fans of rival schools prompted the administration to cancel the poll, so Ole Miss currently has no official mascot. A group of Colonel Reb supporters, however, have created "Colonel Too". Supposedly he is the Colonel Reb's cousin, and can be found cheering in the stands.
Women's Basketball
