Chief Osceola & Renegade
For over 25 years,
Chief Osceola and Renegade have been named
the Number One College Mascot in America!
The "Planting of the Spear" has become a tradition
at Florida State Home Games!
CURRENT RENEGADE
"Leo"
Josh Halley and "Leo"
The highlight of every home game occurs right after the
coin toss, when Chief Osceola and Renegade gallop to
midfield and plant the flaming spear. For the Florida
game only, the Chief will dismount and brandish the
spear at the opponent, (Gators), before planting it.
Each performance by Chief Osceola and Renegade requires 12 people,
this includes the handlers, trainers, and 2 fire experts.
"It's about the little old lady from west Florida who comes to every game just to see the horse;
it's about the chill bumps that go up and down your spine when the spear hits the ground,"
Durham said, "The spirit of FSU and the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida is what it's all about".
Trainer - Bill Durham
HISTORY
When Bill Durham was a sophomore on the Homecoming Committee in 1962, he envisioned the idea of a team mascot for the Florida State Seminoles, consisting of a horse and Native-American rider. He didn't get any support for the idea until Bobby Bowden came to FSU as Head Coach. (Actually, it was Coach Bowden's wife Ann that helped in the process. She ran interference with the various school and health officials who objected to a horse on the field). And his dream came true at the opening home game on September 16, 1978 against Oklahoma State.
And the Legend has lived on ever since!
Lincoln Golike and "Leo"
RENEGADE
All horses used for the "honor" of Renegade have been registered Appaloosas. (Which is what the Seminole Tribe of Florida rode in the 19th century). There have been 18 horses in all that have been trained for the job, counting the two in training now, but only 4 have had the honor of being named "Renegade". Although the mascot title of the horse is "Renegade", none of the horses have actually been named Renegade.
The very first Renegade, "Reo" was donated by Tallahassee veterinarian Dr. Jerry Deloney.
All horses and riders have been trained by
FSU Alumni Bill Durham.
Here are the Official Renegades!
1978 ~ Reo
1979-1989 ~ Hank
1990-2000 ~ Sharky
2000-Present ~ Leo
In Training ~ Tonka & Spiderman
Rumor has it that Spiderman may be the next "Renegade".
Daniel Kennerly and "Sharky"
Chief Osceola
The role of Chief Osceola is a hard one to get. Each one has been a stellar citizen. Mr. Durham requires applicants have a 3.0 grade-point average, spend an apprenticeship of 2 years and be of unimpeachable character. Mr. Durham also runs background checks and requires they pass drug tests. If they pass "muster", they earn a $1,200 scholarship per year -- and a VERY challenging role. The Chief's must ride bareback, carry a 28 pound flaming spear, (lance), and get a 2-ton animal to rear up in a defiant pose in front of sell-out crowds making a huge amount of noise when they are on the field. He is also required to remain in character- no smiling or acknowledging calls and remarks from the crowd- for all 4 hours he is on the horse each Saturday.
There have been 12 people that have had the honor of riding Renegade to Midfield as Chief Osceola. Although in 1998 to mark the 20th anniversary of Chief Osceola & Renegade they had Alumni Riders taking turns with the honor.
Here are the Official Chief Osceolas!
1978-1979 ~ Jim Kidder
1980-1981 ~ David Mays
1982 ~ David Williams
1983-1984 ~ Jeff Ereckson
1985-1986 ~ Greg Ereckson
1987-1988 ~ Jim Fairfield
1989-1991 ~ Tom Sawyer
1992-1994 ~ Allen Durham
1995-1996 ~ Andy Taylor
1997-1998 ~ Jason Mork
1998 ~ Alumni Riders
1999 ~ Daniel Kennerly
2000 ~ Lincoln Golike
2001 ~ Daniel Kennerly
2002-2003 ~ Lincoln Golike
2004-2007 ~ Josh Halley
2008 ~ Chris Gannon
2009-Present ~ Drake Anderson
Josh Halley & Leo
The performance of Chief Osceola and Renegade is limited to FSU functions only!
Over the years, Mr. Durham has recieved thousands and thousands of requests
for them to perform in parades, charitable shows and advertising campaigns.
Mr. Durham has refused every one of them. "We don't want any commerical
exploitation," said Mr. Durham. He donates royalties the pair recieves on FSU
related Logos back to the university.
Mr. Durham has acheived an admirable representation for his alma mater, and
the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He is also a student of Seminole Indian culture
and has worked hard to create an uncompromised FSU "symbol" --
a term Mr. Durham insists of instead of "mascot".
SPECIAL NOTE
The Clothing and Rigging worn by
Chief Osceola & Renegade
were Designed and Approved by the
Seminole Indian Tribe
of Florida!
Chief Osceola & Renegade Statue at
Bobby Bowden Field at Doak S. Campbell Stadium *
* The picture used for the pose
was of Andy Taylor & Sharky
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