THE HISTORY OF OUR BELOVED MASCOT
Perhaps the most spectacular tradition in all of college football occurs in Doak Campbell stadium when Chief Osceola charges down the field riding an appaloosa horse named Renegade and hurls a flamming lance at midfield to begin every home game.
The idea of putting our Indian on a horse was the brainchild of Bill Durham, a Sophomore at the time back in 1962. But it wasn't untill Bobby Bowden became our Head Coach that he was able to make that dream a reality.
The tradition was born on September 16, 1978 against Oklahoma State when a student, wearing native-American clothing, led the team from the tunnel riding a horse.
Now this wasn't always the case. Before this tradition started the school only had a student dressed in Indian clothing parading up and down the side-lines.
Many horses and many different riders have actually appeared at a game as Osceola and Renegade. The original Chief Oscola and Renegade were Jim Kidder and Reo. The original horse was donated by Tallahassee veterinarian Dr. Jerry Deloney, but the horses and riders have been trained by local Tallahassee businessman Bill Durham for over 20 years. Who has completly funded the tradition.
The clothing and rigging that Chef Osceola and Renegade wear were designed and approved by the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida.
Bill Durham was inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame at the beginning of the 2001 season for all his efforts with this tradition.
Bill's son Allen Durham will take over as director of the Renegade tradition at the beginning of this season.
THANK YOU BILL FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND GIVEN EACH FAN AND THE UNIVERSARY.
RENEGADES THROUGH THE YEARS
REO 1978
HANK 1979-1989
SHARKY 1990 to 2000
LEO 2000 to present
IN TRAINING NOW
TONKA
SPIDERMAN
CHIEF OSCEOLA THROUGH THE YEARS
JIM KIDDER
DAVID MAYS
DAVID WILLIAMS
JEFF ERICSON
GREG ERICSON
JIM FAIRFIELD
TOM SAWYER
ALLEN DURHAM
ANDY TAYLOR
JASON MORK
DANIEL KENNEDY
LINCOLN GOLIKE
JOSH HALLEY
FSU introduced a new Renegade during the halftime ceremonies at Doak Campbell Stadium during the 2000 Louisville game. The new Renegade is named Leo and he replaces Sharkey who has been our mascot from 1990.
We also have a new Chief Osceola introduced in 2004 too, his name is Josh Halley.
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