Our Mascot: the Stormy Petrel
Oglethorpe University's mascot is the Stormy Petrel, affectionately called "Petey" by our students. It is said that the stormy petrel is the inspiration for Oglethorpe's motto: Nescit Cedere, translated as "He does not know how to give up."
Why a Stormy Petrel?
A stormy petrel is a seabird, commonly found on the Eastern seaboard, and known for flying low to the ocean to look for food. Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, Oglethorpe University's president from 1915-1943, chose the Stormy Petrel as the school's mascot. According to legend, James Oglethorpe was inspired by the courage of the small, gutsy bird as it dove in and out of the crashing ocean waves as he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1732.
Petey the Petrel was featured on the Animal Planet's Mascot Madness show in April 2007. In March 2002, ESPN's David Lloyd named the Stormy Petrel as one of the most memorable college mascot names of all time, second only to the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz.
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Facts about Petey | ||
| Name: | Petey the Stormy Petrel | |
| Nickname: | Pete BBOC ("Big Bird On Campus") | |
| Height: | 7 feet (7 feet, 2 inches if using mousse) | |
| Weight: | 185 lbs, but is trying to lose those last 5 pounds around the belly | |
| Wingspan: | 8 feet from thumb to thumb | |
| Hobbies: | Travel Team sports Crossword puzzles Making fun of referees | |
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Petey's Favorites | ||
| Colors: | Black and Gold, of course! | |
| Food: | Fish Slugs (especially banana slugs!) Buffalo Wings | |
| Movies: | The Birds Birdie Flight of the Condor Bird on a Wire The Birdcage The Mighty Ducks | |
| Books: | Anything by Hemingway, like "The Old Man and the
Sea" | |
| TV Shows: | Baretta Wings Falcon Crest | |
| Bands: | Paul McCartney and Wings The Byrds The Eagles Black Crowes | |
| Songs: | Fly Like an Eagle Rockin' Robin Fly, Robin, Fly Blackbird Surfin' Bird | |
| Video Games: | Wing Commander Flight Simulator Duck Hunt | |
