It seems that Ole Miss needs a new mascot, and nothing says “mascot” like a giant walking fish from the Star Wars movies.

In the third Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi, we were introduced to a member of the Mon Calamari race named Admiral Ackbar. He was the supreme commander of the Rebel fleet that was tasked with taking out the second Death Star.  While he had a few lines, the most memorable, and unintentionally hilarious, one was when he yelled, “It’s a trap!” in reference to super laser being operational on the battle station.

Over the years the dear Admiral has risen to cult status and been featured in numerous Internet videos and jokes.  For what amounted to a third rate character in a film, he’s had a good life.

Now Ole Miss university (The University of Mississippi) is need of a new mascot.  In 2006 the school had to get rid of Ole Reb due to outcries over the Confederate implications, and since then the school has been without a mascot.  Yesterday the school held an election to see if the school or the students should name the new mascot, and the students won.

This is where dear ole Fish Face enters the picture.

It seems there is a group of students that have proposed that Admiral Ackbar be the new mascot, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s looking like he’s picking up a lot of support.  There’s even a website at NotATrap.org to promote the movement.  You can also find a Facebook fan page and Twitter account promoting the Admiral to school mascot.

While all of this is cute to be sure, one important factor is missing: Has anyone has contacted Lucasfilm about the rights to using one of its characters in such a way?  I’ve reached out to both Lucasfilm and the students behind the movement about this to see if either had comment.  Lucasfilm did not have a clarification for me by post time, and nothing has been heard from the students as of yet.  I will be following up with both as time permits.