JACKSON, Miss. — The University of Mississippi will use the landshark as the school's new on-field mascot, Ole Miss Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter announced in a letter Friday, upending the short reign of the black bear.
The move came a week after students backed the switch in a campus vote. Vitter wrote that support was "unanimous" for making the change from alumni, faculty, staff and student athlete groups.
"The results of the Landshark poll confirm the sentiments that Ross and I have heard since arriving on campus — that the Landshark and "Fins Up" have become synonymous with the positive spirit and strength of our athletics program and the 'Never Quit' attitude of Rebel Nation," Vitter wrote.