American White Ibis - in Culture

In Culture

The University of Miami adopted the American White Ibis as the official athletics mascot in 1926, and the yearbook was known as "The Ibis" from that year. Native American folklore held that the bird was the last to seek shelter before a hurricane, and the first to emerge afterwards, and hence it was a symbol for danger and optimism. The mascot was initially known as Ibis before adopting the name Sebastian in 1957. It was named after San Sebastian Hall, a residence hall on campus, which sponsored an Ibis entry in the college's homecoming celebration.