Old Dominion University loves its mascot, Big Blue.
At a packed celebration on Friday, Oct. 4, a 7-foot-tall bronze likeness of Big Blue was unveiled in Webb Center. The idea for the statue, the work of Virginia Beach sculptor Richard Stravitz, was conceived by members of ODU's Student Government Association (SGA) after seeing a similar statue at another university. The SGA leaders hoped to start a new tradition to go along with the statue.
Now that the bronze Big Blue stands sentry over Webb Center, looking out on Kaufman Mall, SGA leaders announced that tradition: as students start their career at ODU, each student will take their picture with Big Blue to mark the beginning of their Monarch journey.
Throughout their journey, ODU students are encouraged to revisit the statue and rub Blue's belly so as to bring wealth, good luck and prosperity. Four years later, students will again take their picture with Big Blue as part of their graduation celebration.
"This is a very exciting day for Old Dominion University," said President John R. Broderick. "For our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to be able to see Big Blue immortalized, and take a picture with the statue and touch it for luck, makes this a very proud day to be a Monarch."
https://www.odu.edu/news/2013/10/big_blue_statue