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 to 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.
Facts about Petey
Name: Petey the Stormy Petrel
Nickname:Â Pete BBOC ("Big Bird On Campus")
Height:Â 7 feet (7 feet, 2 inches if using mousse)
Weight:Â 185 pounds, but is trying to lose those last five pounds around the belly
Wingspan:Â 8 feet from thumb to thumb
Hobbies:Â Travel (especially flying), team sports, crossword puzzles
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. Petey has also been featured on America's Funniest Home Videos and is a popular pick in debates and challenges related to most unique mascots.
Petey's Favorites
Colors:Â Black and gold, of course!
Food:Â Fish, slugs (especially banana slugs!), buffalo wings
Movies:Â The Birds, Birdy, Flight of the Condor, Bird on a Wire, The Birdcage, The Mighty Ducks
Books:Â Anything by Hemingway, like "The Old Man and the Sea"
TV shows:Â Baretta, Wings, Falcon Crest
Bands:Â Paul McCartney and Wings, The Byrds, The Eagles, The Black Crowes
Songs:Â "Fly Like an Eagle", "Rockin' Robin", "Fly, Robin, Fly", "Blackbird", "Surfin' Bird"
Video games:Â Wing Commander, Flight Simulator, Duck Hunt
