Sebastian the Ibis made mascot historical past on Tuesday morning, becoming a member of the Mascot Corridor of Fame Class of 2025 on Good Morning America. UM’s iconic ibis is one in all 5 skilled and collegiate mascots acknowledged this 12 months and one in all 33 which have been inducted since 2005.
Sebastian additionally appeared on the 2020 and 2024 MHOF ballots however didn’t surpass the 60% of votes required for induction.
This 12 months, greater than 125,000 individuals voted for his or her favourite mascot throughout Could’s two-week voting interval. The MHOF Government Committee additionally casted a vote weighing six occasions that of the general public vote.
Mercer Peakes, a rising junior learning finance, is stunned that Sebastian was not honored sooner in his profession.
“It took them approach too lengthy to acknowledge Sebastian,” Peakes mentioned. “He is among the most iconic mascots in school athletics. I’m blissful that he beat out many different huge names within the mascot world, such because the Oregon Duck and Massive Al for the distinction.”
In response to the MHOF web site, the initiative goals “to acknowledge and honor the very best of the very best mascot characters and applications in existence.”
To qualify for nomination, a mascot should be 10 years outdated and depart an affect in sports activities and of their neighborhood.
Caitlyn Freitas, a rising senior learning political science, is worked up about Sebastian’s flight to the corridor of fame.
“UM has such a singular environment that’s arduous to encapsulate, however Sebastian represents it completely. He instructions crowds and at all times will get us excited concerning the sport,” Freitas mentioned. “It’s unimaginable that such an essential a part of our faculty is being acknowledged on this approach.”
Sebastian’s aptitude and “C-A-N-E-S” spelling efficiency have remained fixed since his debut in 1956. Along with his current engagement to Gigi the Ibis within the Bahamas, Sebastian has been ruffling feathers on the sidelines and on social media, serving to safe his spot within the MHOF.
As Sebastian soars to new ranges of fame, followers can proceed recognizing him at video games and round campus, together with his common stops at Lake Osceola for high-fives.