Down in South Florida, amid the sand, surf, and sun, there’s a heavy focus on collegiate sports at the University of Miami. The Hurricanes compete across several sports and have won national championships in baseball, crew, football, and swimming and diving. They’ve also progressed deep into March Madness, making their way as far as the Sweet Sixteen. These student-athletes have helped to establish the University of Miami as a place where academic and athletic success is possible.
There to cheer on the athletes and rally the fans is the school’s mascot, Sebastian the Ibis. Let’s take a look at his evolution, impact, and importance to the students, faculty, staff, and fans of the University of Miami.
Hello, Sebastian!
AWWW YEAH! IT’S GAMEDAY!
SEE YOU AT @HardRockStadium #BeatFAMU pic.twitter.com/tIjzgf9Jes— Sebastian The Ibis (@UM_Sebastian) September 3, 2016
The ibis represents leadership, courage, and strength found in all student athletes, according to the University of Miami Athletics Department. In 1926, the university made the ibis its official mascot. It wasn’t until 1980, however, that Sebastian was born. Prior to that, the mascot actually had two different names. In 1950, the ibis was called “Icky.” This would later be changed in 1960 to Joe Ibis. In 2000, the university updated Sebastian to have a more modern appearance.
Sebastian – played by several individuals over the years – is beloved by fans for his antics. In 1989, he was detained by police for attempting to extinguish the flame of Osceola’s spear prior to a game against Miami’s bitter rival, the Florida State Seminoles. You can see how much Sebastian is loved by the university and its student population.
It’s All About the U
Miami Hurricanes Midnight Mascot T-Shirt
If you want to get ready for a selfie in case you get close enough to Sebastian, make sure to dress up with the best officially licensed Miami Hurricanes merchandise and apparel from Fanatics.com!
Sources
- http://hurricanesports.com/fls/28700/Sebastian/HTML/index.html
- http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205561161
- http://scholar.library.miami.edu/umhistory/2000.html
- http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/10/24-years-ago-the-miami-hurricanes-mascot-was-detained-before-the-florida-state-game
- http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/2848/Miami_Hurricanes/1972/Primary_Logo
