Sebastian the Ibis

Infobox College Mascot
name = Sebastian the Ibis

---

image_size = 200
caption = Sebastian the Ibis makes the University of Miami's trademark "U" symbol
university = University of Miami
conference = Atlantic Coast Conference
conference_short = ACC
description = Anthropomorphic ibis
name_origin = San Sebastian Hall
first_seen = 1957
related_mascots =
official_website = [http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/trads/mifl-mascot.html Sebastian the Ibis]

Sebastian the Ibis is the official mascot for the University of Miami. He is an anthropomorphized ibis with a Hurricanes football jersey, jersey number 00.

History

The ibis was chosen as Miami's unofficial mascot in 1926 when the school's yearbook chose its name to be "The Ibis."Fact|date=May 2007

"Miami adopted a native marsh bird called the Ibis as the official mascot in 1926. The Ibis is known for it's 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" [ [http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/3169588/TRADITIONS:-Florida-State-vs.-Miami-(FL) Foxsports.com: Florida State & Miami Traditions] ]

The first official mascot for the Miami Hurricanes was a 65-pound brown and white boxer named Hurricane I. Chosen in 1950, the canine wore a ceremonial orange and green blanket with his name lettered in white. [ [http://scholar.library.miami.edu/umhistory/MoreInfo.php?tn_
] ]

Sebastian was created in August, 1957 and was used as a homecoming competition entry. The next year, student John Stormont performed at Hurricanes football games dressed up in a makeshift ibis costume.The current costume dates from the 1980s.

The mascot was named after the San Sebastian building, which became a University dormitory in 1939. The building, now an apartment building, still stands at the intersection of LeJeune Road and University Drive in Coral Gables.

Sebastian typically leads the University of Miami football team on to the field, formerly at Miami's Orange Bowl and now at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami's dramatic entrance, in which the Hurricanes charge onto the field through a billowing cloud of white smoke led by Sebastian, is considered one of the most recognizable traditions in American college football.Fact|date=May 2007

External links

* [http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/trads/mifl-mascot.html Sebastian the Ibis Official Web Site] , University of Miami athletics web site.

References