Gaylord the Camel is a tall, goofy camel. He is tough and proud. Gaylord wears number 1, because he is number 1!
If you ever catch him at a game or on-campus, you'll notice he doesn't just walk, he struts everywhere he goes. Gaylord
loves to shows off his sweet dance moves when he hears a good song. He is the face of the Fighting Camels and is very proud of the Orange and Black.
Gladys the Camel is a sweetheart! She blows kisses and has her signature wave to let you know she sees you from far away.
Gladys returned in 2019 to Campbell University and is a prominent fixture at athletic events, campus events, and out in the local community.
She is the face of the Fighting Camels and is very proud of the Orange and Black.
Follow Gaylord on Twitter: @GaylordTheCamel | Follow Gladys on Twitter: @GladysTheCamel | Follow both Gaylord & Gladys on Instagram: @gaylordandgladys
Gaylord & Gladys Appearance Requests
GAYLORD & GLADYS APPEARANCES:
Gaylord and Gladys are available for community and campus appearances. All mascot appearance requests must be submitted using the Mascot Appearance Request Form.
REQUEST TIMELINE:
All requests should be received at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. Requests will be responded to in five (5) to seven (7) business days. Submitting a request does not guarantee an appearance. In the event that an appearance must be canceled, athletic department personnel must be give three (3) days prior notice. Gaylord and Gladys are available for appearances throughout the year, however, the summer months, as well as, Winter Break may be harder to fulfill an appearance request due to school being out of session .
APPEARANCE FEES:
- $200 per mascot per appearance for corporate events and weddings
- $150 per mascot per appearance for private events (birthday parties, family reunions, private alumni events, wtc.)
- $50 per mascot per on-campus appearance
Parking Fees: Reimbursement for incurred parking fees is also the responsibility of the requestor. Any parking reimbursement is required at the time of the event and is to be paid directly to the performer in cash/check.
ADDITIONAL APPEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Accurate directions, location, on-site contact and on-site phone number must be provided.
- On-site contact must be available to escort the performer to and from his/her vehicle for security purposes.
- A private and secure changing room must be provided for Gaylord and Gladys to change and keep personal belongings locked during the appearance. Water, preferably bottled, must be provided to the performer.
- Gaylord and Gladys cannot be required to be inside the suit for longer than a maximum of one hour at a time before taking a break. If the appearance is outdoors, please allow extra breaks during that allotted time. Gaylord and Gladys are unable to perform in severe weather.
A friendly and safe environment must be maintained. Gaylord and Gladys reserves the right to walk away from any appearance deemed unsafe or harmful. Refunds (if applicable) will not be granted.
PUBLICITY/MARKETING RESTRICTIONS:
All publicity for the event, whether in advance or afterwards, which mentions an appearance by Gaylord and Gladys or uses university marks (logos), must be approved by the Campbell University Athletics Department before use. For approval, please contact Matt Lavery at mlavery@campbell.edu.
Mascot Appearance Request Form (PDF)
For appearances:
Stephanie Fox - Head Cheerleading Coach
sfox@campbell.edu
History
Many stories exist as to the origin of the nickname "Fighting Camels" and the adoption of a camel as the mascot of Campbell University athletic teams. To date, there is still uncertainty as to why the unique mascot (only one other school in the United States -- and none in Division I -- has the nickname "Camels") was chosen.
According to historian J. Winston Pearce, author of "Campbell College, Big Miracle in Little Buies Creek," the nickname's origin perhaps stretches back to the turn of the century when all but one of the school's original buildings were destroyed by fire. In the aftermath, Z.T. Kivett visited the school's founder and president, Dr. James Archibald Campbell, at his residence.
As Dr. Campbell bemoaned the fate of the institution he had worked 13 years to build, Mr. Kivett encouraged him, "Your name's Campbell; then get a hump on you! We've got work to do." Dr. Campbell thought that Mr. Kivett said, "You're a camel, get a hump on you." Hence the nomadic nickname.
Campbell's athletic teams were originally named the "Hornets." Copies of Creek Pebbles, the school newspaper, in the 1920s and 1930s described the teams as "Hornets." Other references to the athletic teams were "The Campbells" or the "Campbellites."
Although an official date is unknown, the changing of the mascot to a camel came in late 1933 or early 1934. There is no explanation why the nickname was changed to Camels, only this one sentence was printed in the Jan. 13, 1934 issue of Creek Pebbles: "Eight new men were recently initiated into Campbell's monogram club, which has changed its name from 'Hornets' to 'Camels.'"
From that point on, all Campbell athletic teams have proudly worn the Camel mascot. The last time Gladys and Gaylord were seen together was in 1993 when Campbell alumni Craig and Angela Lloyd portrayed the dromedary duo. Angela hung up her camel head upon graduation, and Gladys disappeared from the limelight.
The idea for Gladys' return was tossed around for years before it was decided that bringing back Gladys in 2019 just made sense.
