(Photograph by MATTHEW ORTON)

When a huge crowd packed Trustmark Arena for the University of Montevallo’s annual Midnight Madness basketball preview on Oct. 17, it was obvious people came for something other than just basketball.

While there was grand applause during the introduction of the men’s and women’s basketball teams and subsequent scrimmages, the night belonged to another member of the UM athletic department. A long-lost friend, if you will.

For the first time in more than three seasons, the school’s mascot, Freddie the Falcon, returned to the sidelines.

Not only did Freddie make his comeback, but received a complete makeover in the process.

Read more about Freddie the Falcon in the December issue of Shelby Living. Find your copy here.