Sebastian the Ibis
Sebastian the Ibis is the mascot for the Miami Hurricanes of the University of Miami. He is an anthropomorphic white ibis with a Miami Hurricanes football jersey, number 0.[1]
| Sebastian the Ibis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | University of Miami |
| Conference | ACC |
| Description | Anthropomorphic white ibis |
| Origin of name | San Sebastian Hall |
| First seen | 1957 |
History
The ibis was chosen as Miami's unofficial mascot by Nathan Duncan in 1926, after the student body chose the school's yearbook's name to be "the Ibis."[2]
- "Miami adopted a native marsh bird called the Ibis as the official mascot in 1926. The Ibis is known for its bravery as a hurricane approaches. Folklore maintains that other birds look to the Ibis for leadership. The Ibis uses its instinct to detect danger. It is the last sign of wildlife to take shelter before a hurricane hits, giving warning that danger is imminent. As the storm passes the Ibis is the first to reappear, a sign that clear skies are approaching."[2][3]
The first official mascot for the Miami Hurricanes was a 65-pound brown and white boxer dog named Hurricane I. Chosen in 1950, the canine wore a ceremonial orange and green blanket with his name lettered in white.
Sebastian was created in August 1957 by Norman A. Whitten, Director of the Student Union at UM, and was used as a homecoming competition entry. The next year, student John Stormont performed at Hurricanes football games dressed up in a homemade ibis costume. The original costume was made from various materials: armolite insulation for the head, white terry cloth for the body to resemble feathers, ROTC spats for the feet, and toes made from burlap. "The whole costume took three weeks to complete and cost about $30", Stormont said in a Miami Herald interview. The most recent iteration of the costume dates back to 1984.[4]
The ibis was originally named "Icky", but was later renamed after San Sebastian Hall, where John Stormont was a resident. The building, now an apartment building, still stands at the intersection of LeJeune Road and University Drive in Coral Gables.
During the first national championship season for the Miami Hurricanes football team, the Ibis was portrayed by Bill Mooney, a senior at the university from Orangeburg, NY. This second generation Ibis costume was designed and made by UM alumnus and former Disney artist Randy Jacky (RJ) Ogren. Sebastian appeared in the National Championship victory parade riding with coach Howard Schnellenberger. [5]
From 1984 to 1992, Sebastian was portrayed by John Routh, who also portrayed the Miami Maniac at baseball games, and later Billy the Marlin for the Florida Marlins. Routh created Sebastian's signature C-A-N-E-S cheer, in which Sebastian forms the letters with his body.[6]
In 1989, Sebastian was tackled by a group of police officers for attempting to put out Chief Osceola's flaming spear. At the time he was wearing a fireman’s helmet and yellow raincoat and holding a fire extinguisher. When a police officer tried to grab the fire extinguisher he was sprayed in the chest. Sebastian was handcuffed by four other officers, but released once the ridiculousness of the situation set in.[7]
Sebastian typically leads the University of Miami football team as they entered the field before games.
References
- https://miamihurricanes.com/sebastian-the-ibis/
- "History | University of Miami". Archived from the original on November 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- Foxsports.com: Florida State & Miami Traditions
- https://miamihurricanes.com/sebastian-the-ibis/
- University records
- "For the Birds: former Sebastians flock to first-ever mascot reunion". Miami Magazine. Fall 2005. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/27949666/the-true-story-sebastian-ibis-fire-extinguisher-arrest