Meet Rebel Black Bear, the Ole Miss Mascot

(Oct. 14) -- What qualities best befit a Rebel?

The University of Mississippi announced today that it had selected a successor mascot to "Colonel Reb," the confederate-identified caricature of Southern glory (Dixie) that had cheered on the school's sports teams since 1979, The Associated Press reported.

Ole Miss Changes Mascot From Colonel Rebel to Rebel Black Bear

Ole Miss Changes Mascot From Colonel Rebel to Rebel Black Bear

University of Mississippi Student Mascot Selection Committee / AP | Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

The University of Mississippi has changes its mascot from Colonel Rebel, right, to Rebel Black Bear.

In Reb's place comes an entirely new brand of rebel, and one with even more facial hair: "Rebel Black Bear." How did the selection committee make its decision to go from Confederate officer to just another guy in a bear suit? Here's how the university described the process in its press release:

After reviewing more than 1,000 mascot suggestions, the selection committee submitted 11 concepts for public input at the end of June. More than 13,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and season ticket holders responded to the first poll. Based upon the results of the first poll and work with design professionals, those 11 choices were narrowed down to the three final selections, and artist's renderings of the concepts were unveiled Oct. 6.

In case you were wondering, Rebel Black Bear beat out other finalists Rebel Land Shark and Hotty Toddy to claim rebel victory. And an insurgent campaign to elect Star Wars' Admiral Ackbar also fell short of mascot glory, much to the disappointment of "Star Wars" fanboys and girls.

Perhaps predictably, the response on Twitter hasn't shied away from criticism of the furry new cheerleader.

Ole Miss has selected a black bear as its new mascot. Excuse me, i mean a native-american bear or a bear of color. I apologize.less than a minute ago via webMark Hulsey
Hulsey4

So is Ole Miss still the Rebels with a Black Bear as the mascot, or are they the Ole Miss Black Bears. Funny as hell either way.less than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterStephen Smyzer
smyzo

How the hell does Ole Miss go with a black bear over Admiral Ackbar. Just when you think they can't get any dumber over there.less than a minute ago via FacebookBest Of Baton Rouge
BatonRougeFun

But not everyone was disappointed with the election of Rebel Black Bear.

One time for the Ole Miss Rebel Black Bear! Thanks Mississippi for recognizing the difference between remembering and glorifying the past.less than a minute ago via webBeBeWhy
BeBeWhy