Long before Tony the Landshark or Rebel the Black Bear, which most the face of Ole Miss athletics was a dapper Southern gentleman in a wide-brimmed hat and cane. That figure was Colonel Reb, the original mascot of the Ole Miss Rebels — an icon to some, a flashpoint to others, and a lasting symbol of the university’s complicated relationship with its own past.
The origins of Colonel Reb stretch back to the mid-1930s, around the same time Ole Miss adopted the “Rebels” nickname in 1936. While the exact story of how he came to be is a bit hazy, most agree he was first sketched by a student artist, possibly Billy Hix, for the campus yearbook. Others claim the mascot’s earliest version appeared in a student-run humor magazine, while some say the design was inspired by a local legend — “Blind Jim” Ivy, a beloved campus figure known for his booming support at games despite losing his vision as a teenager. Whatever the case, the character quickly captured the school’s spirit and embodied the Southern pride and charm that defined Ole Miss during that era.
(Some say “Blind” Jim Ivey (above) was the inspiration for Colonel Reb.)
Through the 1940s and 1950s, Colonel Reb became a familiar sight on everything from game programs to souvenirs, representing the university’s identity with a gentlemanly flair. His look was refined over time by artists and local contributors, evolving into the dignified image most fans remember — white-haired, bowtied, and tipping his hat with confidence. Though he existed mostly in print for decades, the Colonel eventually came to life on the sidelines in 1979, when a costumed version debuted at football games. Fans instantly embraced him, and within a year, he was voted “Best Mascot in the SEC.”
Throughout the 1980s, Colonel Reb became a full-fledged symbol of Ole Miss. In 1986, he earned SEC Mascot of the Year honors and was runner-up for National Mascot of the Year.
Colonel Reb wasn’t just a sideline mascot, though. Starting in the 1940s, the university also used his name for a student title — “Colonel Rebel” — which served as the male counterpart to “Miss Ole Miss.” It became one of the campus’s highest honors, awarded to student leaders who embodied the Rebel spirit. Notable recipients included future Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat, football great Ben Williams (the first Black student to hold the title), and Chucky Mullins, whose courage and determination made him a campus hero in 1990 after his devastating on-field injury.
But by the early 2000s, Colonel Reb had become a divisive figure. To many alumni, he was a proud symbol of school tradition — the epitome of Ole Miss hospitality and old-school swagger. To others, his “Old South” imagery no longer reflected the values or diversity of a changing university. In 2003, Ole Miss officially retired Colonel Reb as its on-field mascot due to political correctness. The decision sparked years of debate and left the program searching for a new identity. A student-led process in 2010 introduced the Rebel Black Bear, and in 2018, Tony the Landshark became the new face of the Rebels.
Today, even though Colonel Reb no longer prowls the sidelines, his legacy endures. You’ll still see him on vintage merchandise, alumni bumper stickers, and the occasional tailgate tent in The Grove. To some, he’s a cherished piece of Ole Miss history — to others, a relic from another time. Either way, there’s no denying his place in the Rebel story. For decades, Colonel Reb stood tall as the personification of Ole Miss pride, charm, and Southern spirit — the original Rebel who started it all.
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