Big Blue (mascot)

{{Short description|Mascot for the Old Dominion Monarchs}}

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{{Infobox College Mascot

|name=Big Blue

|image=

|image_size=

|caption=

|university=Old Dominion University

|conference_short=Sun Belt

|conference=Sun Belt Conference

|name_origin=

|first_seen=

|description=Anthropomorphic Lion

|official_website=

}}

Big Blue is the official mascot for the Old Dominion Monarchs. He is an anthropomorphic lion that performs at Old Dominion University athletic events, fundraisers, and commencement ceremonies. The nickname and mascot for the "Monarchs" was adopted just prior to ODU's split from the College of William & Mary system in 1961.{{Cite web |title=ODU Athletics History Timeline |url=https://odusports.com/sports/2016/5/11/210946687.aspx |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=Old Dominion University |language=en}} In 1971, Old Dominion officially crowned Big Blue as their mascot to represent symbols of pride and courage for the expanding athletic program.[https://ww1.odu.edu/content/dam/odu/offices/university-marketing-communications/monarch/issues/monarch-magazine-2011-fall.pdf Old Dominion University Magazine | Fall 2011]

While the first iterations of the mascot created split reactions from Monarchs fans, a more friendly appearance of the mascot was introduced in the 1980s.{{Cite web |title=The Many Faces of BIG BLUE · Celebrating BIG BLUE · ODU Libraries Online Exhibitions |url=http://exhibits.lib.odu.edu/exhibits/show/bigblue/big-blue-through-the-years |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=exhibits.lib.odu.edu}}

In 2011, Big Blue won Capital One National Mascot of the Year, which awarded $20,000 to Old Dominion's mascot program.{{Cite web |title=ODU's Big Blue is Mascot of the Year |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/sports/article_3252bee6-bce0-53c7-b429-7cd18fb81af3.html |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=The Virginian-Pilot|date=2 January 2011 }}

In 2013, A statue of Big Blue was placed in the university's Webb Center, where students are encouraged to rub his belly for good luck and prosperity.{{Cite web |title=Big Blue Gets His Own Statue |url=https://odusports.com/news/2013/10/4/209276300.aspx |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=Old Dominion University |date=4 October 2013 |language=en}}

Big Blue is incorporated within the university's athletic foundation, which includes a kids club and locally sponsored 5K run named in his honor.{{Cite web |title=Big Blue's Kids Club |url=https://odusports.com/news/2019/7/16/211286311.aspx |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=Old Dominion University |date=16 July 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Charities |url=https://www.bigblue5k.com/charities/ |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=Big Blue 5k |language=en-US}}