It's Not Easy Being An Ibis

So what mascot looks as if it ought to be in a Disney movie? You guessed it. Sebastian the Ibis, the Miami Hurricanes mascot. The ibis was chosen as Miami's unofficial mascot in 1926 when the school's yearbook chose its name to be "The Ibis." According to folk legend, the ibis is the last sign of wildlife to take shelter before a hurricane, and the first to return after the storm passes. Also, the ibis is native to the Everglades.

Sebastian was created in August, 1957 and was named after former University of Miami residential college, San Sebastian Hall. It was then that the ibis 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.

Sebastian typically leads the University of Miami team on to the field through a billowing cloud of white smoke. It is according to some one of the most recognizable traditions in American college football.

Sebastian the Ibis had an unfortunate event in 1989 at the FSU-Miami game in Tallahassee. Sebastian was intending to douse the Seminoles' famous flaming spear. However, five police officers surround the mascot, slammed him against a wall and emptied his extinguisher. Fear the spear Sebastian. Fear the spear!