Colonel Ebirt
Encyclopedia
Colonel Ebirt was the unofficial school mascot for The College of William & Mary from 2001–2005. A green and gold frog
that donned a tri-corner hat
, Colonel Ebirt was originally used as a promotional tool for Colonial Williamsburg
. It became involved with the College athletics program
when someone from the William & Mary gymnastics program volunteered to wear the costume. "Ebirt" is Tribe spelled backwards (also, note that "ebirt" is analogous to the more commonly heard frog call "ribit"), and "Colonel" comes from the school's historical and geographical ties to Williamsburg, Virginia
, specifically that of Colonial Williamsburg.
The athletic department decided to "retire" Ebirt upon the conclusion of the 2005–06 school year. On April 6th, 2010, William and Mary announced that their mascot to replace Ebirt was a griffin
.
While the common mythology at William & Mary at the time of Ebirt's reign was that it was simply 'an asexual amorphous green blob', the mascot of a green and gold frog
was actually chosen to raise awareness of the threatened/endangered status of many of the world's species, while simultaneously highlighting the official school colors.
Growling Grass Frog
The Growling Grass Frog , also commonly known as the Southern Bell Frog, Warty Swamp Frog and erroneously as the Green Frog is a species of ground dwelling tree frog is native to South eastern Australia; ranging from southern South Australia along the Murray River though Victoria to New South...
that donned a tri-corner hat
Tricorne
The tricorne or tricorn is a style of hat that was popular during the 18th century, falling out of style by 1800. At the peak of its popularity, the tricorne was worn as civilian dress and as part of military and naval uniforms...
, Colonel Ebirt was originally used as a promotional tool for Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
. It became involved with the College athletics program
William & Mary Tribe
The William & Mary Tribe are the athletic teams for the College of William & Mary. The name Tribe now refers to the unity and comradery that William & Mary student-athletes share when competing in the classroom and on the field. William & Mary has transitioned through several official nicknames...
when someone from the William & Mary gymnastics program volunteered to wear the costume. "Ebirt" is Tribe spelled backwards (also, note that "ebirt" is analogous to the more commonly heard frog call "ribit"), and "Colonel" comes from the school's historical and geographical ties to Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
, specifically that of Colonial Williamsburg.
The athletic department decided to "retire" Ebirt upon the conclusion of the 2005–06 school year. On April 6th, 2010, William and Mary announced that their mascot to replace Ebirt was a griffin
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
.
While the common mythology at William & Mary at the time of Ebirt's reign was that it was simply 'an asexual amorphous green blob', the mascot of a green and gold frog
Growling Grass Frog
The Growling Grass Frog , also commonly known as the Southern Bell Frog, Warty Swamp Frog and erroneously as the Green Frog is a species of ground dwelling tree frog is native to South eastern Australia; ranging from southern South Australia along the Murray River though Victoria to New South...
was actually chosen to raise awareness of the threatened/endangered status of many of the world's species, while simultaneously highlighting the official school colors.
See also
- GriffinGriffin (mascot)Griffin, a mythical creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion, is the mascot of The College of William & Mary. William & Mary President Taylor Reveley announced the adoption of the new mascot on April 6, 2010. The Griffin mascot beat out the other four finalists: a King and Queen ,...
– William & Mary's mascot successor to Colonel Ebirt - List of U.S. college mascots