First Miami Hurricanes Gertrude “Gigi” the Ibis Bobblehead Unveiled for Valentine’s Day

This morning, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first bobblehead of Gertrude “Gigi” the Ibis, the female counterpart of longtime University of Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis. In December, Ashley Wenskoski of CNY Central tweeted during the fourth quarter of the Miami football team’s game against Syracuse that Sebastian hit on her mid-game and asked for her number. Sebastian later tweeted four pictures of himself and Gigi: “Take it from the source, this bird is taken. Gigi, also known as Gertrude the Ibis, is the only one for me.” The officially licensed, limited-edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of the University of Miami.

• The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in August, are $35 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.
• Each bobblehead will be individually numbered to 2,025.
• Standing on a base that has the Miami logo, the Gertrude “Gigi” the Ibis bobblehead, with a bow on her head, is decked out in an orange, green and white cheerleader’s uniform with the Miami logo prominently featured.
• Folklore maintains that the Ibis is the last sign of wildlife to take shelter before a hurricane and the first to reappear after the storm. The local marsh bird was considered Miami’s first unofficial mascot when the school yearbook adopted the name “Ibis” in 1926. Its popularity grew among the students during the 1950s. In 1957, San Sebastian Hall, a residence hall on campus, sponsored an Ibis entry in the homecoming celebration. The next year, student John Stormont performed at games in an Ibis costume that was glued, sewn, and pinned together and was the forerunner of today’s bird. Through the years, Sebastian has become one of the most recognizable college mascots in the United States.
• In December, Ashley Wenskoski of CNY Central tweeted during the fourth quarter of the Miami football team’s game against Syracuse that Sebastian hit on her mid-game and asked for her number. Sebastian later tweeted four pictures of himself and Gigi: “Take it from the source, this bird is taken. Gigi, also known as Gertrude the Ibis, is the only one for me.”
• “We’re excited to unveil the first bobblehead of Gertrude ‘Gigi’ the Ibis on Valentine’s Day,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Sebastian has been a Miami fixture for over a half-century. This bobblehead of Gigi is the perfect way for Miami fans, alumni, students, faculty, and staff to show off their school pride!”
• The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st. St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals, and teams across the country.