这是猎鹰弗雷迪! 他们说物以类聚，人以群分, and nowhere is that more true than at the 澳门在线赌城娱乐. 当你加入法尔肯家族的时候, you join generations of people that decided to spread their wings and fly and landed here on these beloved bricks. But how exactly did we become the Falcons, and where do I come into this story?
It all started in 1959, back when UM was still known as Alabama College. 在那之前, our school only had two sports — basketball and golf — and the teams were often called “the Purples” in the local news. 在阿拉巴马州的, 我们的学生报纸, 举办昵称和吉祥物评选活动, offering a $25 prize to the person or organization that submitted the best nickname and 50-word essay supporting their pick.
An undergraduate student named Ronald Smith won with his proposal of “the Falcons” (excellent choice, 如果我自己这么说的话), 剩下的就是历史了. In 1967, we were even given a real falcon, named Ace, by the Delta Social Club. 尽管埃斯让密歇根大学的社区感到高兴, the beloved bird sadly died in 1970 and was buried on campus and not replaced.
The campus needed a little spirit-lifting, so along I came! 我是在80年代初孵化的(80年代的婴儿联合起来)!), and I couldn’t have been luckier than to come to life in a place as special as Montevallo. Taking on the role of UM’s official Falcon mascot has been the greatest honor. I’ve loved entertaining the crowd at basketball games with the cheerleaders (Spirit Camp 1992, 任何人?), greeting freshmen on Move-In Day and spending time with students’ loved ones at Family Day on Main Quad. (You may remember me looking a bit different throughout those early years. 别笑! 我们都有不光彩的年鉴老照片.)
但是所有的大学生都知道, 生命中总有离开家的时候, 这就是我在2000年代中期所做的. 我离开我亲爱的UM大约十年了, 我想念学生们, 教职员工和美丽校园的每一天. 在那段时间里, I traveled the globe on a journey of self-discovery — an extended study abroad program if you will. My days were spent hopping from country to country as I experienced different cultures, 尝试各种美味的新食物，写诗. Though getting to see the world was an enriching adventure, the homesickness took over after a while and I knew it was time for me to go back to the place where I truly belonged.
In October 2013, I made my grand return to the University, even sporting a fabulous new look. 你知道我有多喜欢篮球, so what better way to make a comeback than at Midnight Madness in the Student Activity Center? The energy in the arena was electric as I performed skits with the cheerleaders, took photos with fans and rooted for the men’s and women’s basketball teams as they kicked off their season. I’m so grateful to all the Falcons that made my homecoming special and welcomed me back with open wings.
Since that day, I’ve been right here spreading the Falcon spirit however I can. Whether I’m hanging out with my other Alabama mascot buddies at the State Capital on Higher Education Day, signing copies of my book “Soar with Freddie” or cruising campus on my purple golf cart (going the speed limit, 当然), 我总是骄傲地代表紫色和金色, 因为蒙特瓦洛是我的家. I hope you’ve enjoyed a bird’s eye view of what makes this place so special. Happy National Mascot Day from your favorite feathery friend, Freddie!
