The University of Mississippi has officially adopted the Landshark as its new mascot, retiring the Bear.

Ole Miss Chancellor Dr. Jeff Vitter announced the move in a letter he sent to university stakeholders. The Landshark is expected to be unveiled before the 2018 season, Dr. Vitter said.

The Landshark does not threaten Ole Miss’ Rebels nickname, according to the Chancellor.

“…I want to state unequivocally that we are — and always will be — the Ole Miss Rebels. And I am asking all Rebels to unite around our new Landshark mascot,” Dr. Vitter said in the letter.

Dr. Vitter said in his letter announcing the move that Ole Miss’ athletics department, under the direction of Vice Chancellor for Athletics Ross Bjork, will be charged with designing, developing and launching the new Landshark mascot.

And, in case you are wondering: What is a Landshark? Read here.

Chancellor Vitter’s Landshark letter:

“We are proud of our students and their leadership and active engagement as important members of our university community.  We recognize that their efforts stem from a desire to unify the Ole Miss family.  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.

“Upon learning of the ASB poll of students, we sought input from the executive committees of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, the Staff Council, the Faculty Senate, and the Graduate Student Council, as well as from the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the Spirit Squad head coaches.  In each case, the support for the Landshark mascot was unanimous.  In addition, the past presidents of the Ole Miss Alumni Association and the boards of the Alumni Association and M-Club enthusiastically endorsed the action of the Alumni Association executive committee.

“Indeed, the growth of the Landshark mystique over the last seven years has been phenomenal with every athletics team embracing it, including such standouts as Marshall Henderson with basketball and Caitlyn Lee with softball, in leading their respective teams to SEC championships.

Jeffrey S. Vitter

Chancellor and Distinguished Professor