Sammy Seminole
Encyclopedia
Sammy Seminole was the first mascot
of the Florida State University
Seminoles
. He was introduced in 1958 and was retired in 1972 in an effort to find a less insensitive mascot.
team onto the field at the start of the game, and then led the crowd by performing cheers and acrobatic stunts. The gymnastics program ceased sponsoring Sammy Seminole in 1968, though the character was soon re-introduced. In the late 1960s Sammy Seminole was joined by the even more stereotyped "Chief Fullabull", who served as the mascot for the basketball team.
Both Sammy Seminole and the basketball mascot were eventually retired by the school in order to find a more respectful school mascot. In 1977 they were replaced by Chief Osceola and Renegade
. Chief Osceola was eventually given the blessing of the Seminole Tribe of Florida
.
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of the Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles are the men's and women's sports teams of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State participates in the NCAA's Division I . FSU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991, and competes in the Atlantic Division in any sports split into a...
. He was introduced in 1958 and was retired in 1972 in an effort to find a less insensitive mascot.
History
Sammy Seminole debuted at the 1958 FSU Pow Wow homecoming event. For the first several years he was portrayed by white students from FSU's gymnastics program wearing faux-Native American garb. The character led the Seminoles footballFlorida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
team onto the field at the start of the game, and then led the crowd by performing cheers and acrobatic stunts. The gymnastics program ceased sponsoring Sammy Seminole in 1968, though the character was soon re-introduced. In the late 1960s Sammy Seminole was joined by the even more stereotyped "Chief Fullabull", who served as the mascot for the basketball team.
Both Sammy Seminole and the basketball mascot were eventually retired by the school in order to find a more respectful school mascot. In 1977 they were replaced by Chief Osceola and Renegade
Chief Osceola and Renegade
Chief Osceola and Renegade are the official symbols of the Florida State University Seminoles. During home football games at Florida State, Chief Osceola, portraying the Seminole leader Osceola, charges down the field at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium riding an appaloosa horse named...
. Chief Osceola was eventually given the blessing of the Seminole Tribe of Florida
Seminole Tribe of Florida
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is a federally recognized Seminole tribe based in the U.S. state of Florida. Together with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, it is one of three federally recognized Seminole entities...
.