Tulane sporting events seldom sell out, but one distinct head has been missing from Tulane’s sideline as of late.

The head of beloved mascot Riptide was stolen from Devlin Fieldhouse and has been missing since February. The program has since been unable to locate the stolen head. 

Riptide was unveiled as Tulane’s pelican mascot in August 1998 to better identify and represent the Tulane athletic teams. According to Tulane athletics, Riptide represents the Tulane colors of green and blue, the unique Green Wave nickname and re-establishes the pelicans as a visual symbol. 

Though the exact date in February of the theft is not certain, Riptide did not make an appearance for the men’s or women’s basketball conference tournaments. 

“Mascots are key figures in every athletics department around the nation, and Riptide is no different for Tulane Athletics and its fans,” director of communications Roger Dunaway said. “Riptide was noticeably absent from both our men’s and women’s basketball tournament games at the American Championships and during the first round of our women’s basketball team’s appearance at the NCAA Tournament.”  

Athletics had planned to create a new design for Riptide before the head of the suit went missing, thought, and this new model should come into being by next fall, when football and volleyball are in full swing. 

“We would like to encourage the return of Riptide’s costume to the Tulane Athletics Department as soon as possible,” Dunaway said.