Big Al

Hello! My name is Big Al! I am the University of Alabama Crimson Tide's mascot! If you are wondering how I become the official mascot of the greatest college ever, here is the story of Big Al...

Once upon a time in Africathere was a very large herd of elephants.One hot summer daythis herd witnessedthe birth of a very special baby elephant.Right from the very begining,everyone in the jungle knewthat this baby elephant was something special.As he developed,his parents became extremely proudof their baby boy, they called AL.Growing up, Al was always bigger, stronger,faster and more agilethan all the other elephants his age.As he grew and grew,he easily learn all kinds of tricks to entertain everyone.People would come from miles aroundjust to watch in amazement,as Al would do his tricks.All these simple tricks,AL found very boring.He wanted more out of life.Everyone in the jungle knewthat one day Al would leave the junglefor bigger and better things,they just didn't know when or where. Meanwhile, back in the U.S.A......At this time, all the Collegesand Universities had football teams thatcompeted against each other, just for the sport of it.For years the schools in the North had dominated playbut now a team in the South had begun to dominate.The young team at this great Universitywas winning National Championships year after year.They had developed into something really special.The University of Alabama had the most respectedfootball team in the country.This team always seemed to bebigger, stronger, faster and more agilethan all the other teams around. They called this teamThe Crimson Tide.The news had spread all over the world about The Crimson Tide.Even with all their success,The Crimson Tide was still looking for a mascot.The school demanded, it besomething special that signifiedwhat this team stood for.It had to be something that wasthe biggest and best of it's kind.........By now Big Al had grown into an empressive young adult and was developing exceptional skills.The news was spreading fast about this exceptional elephant in Africathat had learned to READ.AL dreamed of all the things that he might accomplish,since he had learned to read.He knew that he could handle the simple jobsbut what AL really wanted wasa college education.When Alabama came calling, it wasa match made in Heaven.............Big AL said "Yes" and was offto America. Big Al arrived in Tuscaloosaand he loved it and the people there immediatelyfell in love with Big Al.He was accepted as the official Mascot of The University of Alabama.Al got to go to all the gamesto watch his favorite team win,and win they did.With Big Al there, the teamseemed to play even better and thecrowd seem to cheer even louder.Over the years Big Al became very popular.Everyone in the country knew Big Al.He was asked to pose for picturesHe even had posters made of him.Over the years, Big Al becamethe most reccognized Mascot in college sports.People in Africa say that his parents are still living todayand have been seen sneaking into camps at nightwhen they know that their son willbe on TV.