Since Colonel Reb was "discontinued from official participation in athletic events by the school" in 2003, Ole Miss has been mascot-less. An internet campaign sprouted in an attempt to draft Admiral Ackbar (highest ranking officer in the Rebel Alliance) as a candidate for the Colonel's replacement. Apparently, it was all a big joke, sorta:
However the students that began the campaign insist that Admiral Ackbar is not their ideal choice for the school's mascot. Instead they intend the character as "the face of a push to start a fresh mascot search at Ole Miss." However, the student-led committee that will start the process of choosing a new mascot has not yet formed.
I cant imagine why anyone would think that was a very funny joke. On a related note, I suspect that race may have played a factor in the Colonel's retirement: apparently, his character may have been based on a black man.
