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LSU Tigers Nickname Story
Although LSU adopted the Tiger nickname in the same time period that many other schools were selecting
ferocious animals as their nickname source, the Tiger term lept into LSU tradition as a tribute to a group of
State Civil War heroes.
The LSU “Tiger” nickname first roared into existence in the midst of the school’s undefeated 1896 season.
The name reflected the honor once achieved by another band of Louisiana men that had distinguished
themselves on the field of battle during the “War Between the States.”
The Confederate soldiers consisting of New Orleans Zouaves and Donaldsonville Cannoneers were dubbed
as the fighting band of Louisiana Tigers by other Southern troops thanks to their fighting spirit displayed at
the Battle of Shenandoah. LSU’s nickname became more closely matched with the state’s military heritage
in 1955 when it evolved into the “Fighting Tigers.”
LSU's Mascot: Mike the Tiger
While many schools have voided their practice of keeping live mascots, LSU’s love affair with Mike the tiger
continues to purr along. Mike V’s circling of the Tiger Stadium field prior to kickoff with the cheerleaders on
top of his cage is a well established LSU game day tradition. When Mike’s not roaring with approval at a
football game, he resides at his home located across from Tiger Stadium.
The facility offers fans a great view of the university symbol while he enjoys the perks of two separate living
areas that include amenities such as a pool, giant scratching post, climbing platform and an indoor home
that helps Mike avoid inclement weather.
Mike’s mascot legacy is intertwined so much with the excitement of an LSU game that he’s mentioned
prominently in the LSU spirit song, Hey, Fightin’ Tigers. The tune that urges victory for LSU incorporates
Mike in the third stanza.
“You’ve got to go for a touchdown
run up the score.
Make Mike the Tiger stand right up and roar.
ROAR!
Mike the Tiger strolled into his mascot role for the first time in 1935 when he replaced a papier-mâché Tiger
that had been in use. Mike I was purchased from the Little Rock Zoo for $750 and was transferred for a one
year stay at the Baton Rouge Zoo before his home was built near Tiger Stadium. LSU’s first mascot served
for 20 years before dying of pneumonia during an LSU six-game losing streak in 1957. In an effort to help
purple and gold fans from losing all hope, Mike’s death wasn’t revealed until the football team won later in
the year.
Pneumonia struck the LSU mascot family quickly again when Mike II died in the spring of 1958. He had
become a part of Tiger lore after being born at the Audubon Park Zoo in New Orleans.
LSU’s next representative in the Tiger Den, was Mike III who arrived just in time to roar with delight over the
school’s 1958 football national championship season. Mike III enjoyed 18 years as the mascot after arriving
from Seattle. Mike III died after the 1975 football season, the first losing campaign during his rein.
Next in line was Mike IV, who served 14 years with the Tigers before retiring of old age. The Tampa native
died in 1995 at the age of 21.
LSU’s current cat is Mike V. He hails from Alabama, but has roared for the Tigers since his 1990 arrival in
Baton Rouge.
Since the first Tiger stepped into LSU tradition, several colorful Tiger tales have emerged through the
years. Because each pregame growl was supposed to equal an LSU touchdown,
Tiger faithful would pound on his cage in an effort to prompt Mike to bellow out several touchdowns. The
act was later deemed to potentially be cruel and therefore was replaced with recorded tiger roars played
on the stadium’s loudspeakers.
Prior to Mike making his pregame tour around Tiger Stadium’s field in his wheeled cage, he makes his
presence known to the opposition. Visiting teams get a close-up “eye of the tiger” look when they have to
walk right by his cage that’s placed near the entrance of their locker room.
In the spirit of the movie Born Free, Mike has escaped his cage on a couple of occasions with the help of
pranksters. LSU’s storied rivalry with Tulane has prompted the Greenies to set their sights on the tiger.
Mike I was once kidnapped by a group of Tulane students prior to the LSU-Tulane contest. Several years
ago another chapter was written in this mascot saga when the locks on Mike IV’s cage were cut the week
of the Tulane game. The tiger roamed freely and knocked down several small pine trees before he was
captured in LSU’s track stadium after police had used the calming effects of tranquilizer guns.
Mike once regularly traveled to road games to support the football team. However, a 1970 auto accident en
route to a game caused his cage to overturn, forcing Mike off the travel squad. Limited road appearances
since then have included Mardi Gras parades, Sugar Bowls and LSU basketball games in the Superdome
located in New Orleans.
Although LSU adopted the Tiger nickname in the same time period that many other schools were selecting
ferocious animals as their nickname source, the Tiger term lept into LSU tradition as a tribute to a group of
State Civil War heroes.
The LSU “Tiger” nickname first roared into existence in the midst of the school’s undefeated 1896 season.
The name reflected the honor once achieved by another band of Louisiana men that had distinguished
themselves on the field of battle during the “War Between the States.”
The Confederate soldiers consisting of New Orleans Zouaves and Donaldsonville Cannoneers were dubbed
as the fighting band of Louisiana Tigers by other Southern troops thanks to their fighting spirit displayed at
the Battle of Shenandoah. LSU’s nickname became more closely matched with the state’s military heritage
in 1955 when it evolved into the “Fighting Tigers.”
LSU's Mascot: Mike the Tiger
While many schools have voided their practice of keeping live mascots, LSU’s love affair with Mike the tiger
continues to purr along. Mike V’s circling of the Tiger Stadium field prior to kickoff with the cheerleaders on
top of his cage is a well established LSU game day tradition. When Mike’s not roaring with approval at a
football game, he resides at his home located across from Tiger Stadium.
The facility offers fans a great view of the university symbol while he enjoys the perks of two separate living
areas that include amenities such as a pool, giant scratching post, climbing platform and an indoor home
that helps Mike avoid inclement weather.
Mike’s mascot legacy is intertwined so much with the excitement of an LSU game that he’s mentioned
prominently in the LSU spirit song, Hey, Fightin’ Tigers. The tune that urges victory for LSU incorporates
Mike in the third stanza.
“You’ve got to go for a touchdown
run up the score.
Make Mike the Tiger stand right up and roar.
ROAR!
Mike the Tiger strolled into his mascot role for the first time in 1935 when he replaced a papier-mâché Tiger
that had been in use. Mike I was purchased from the Little Rock Zoo for $750 and was transferred for a one
year stay at the Baton Rouge Zoo before his home was built near Tiger Stadium. LSU’s first mascot served
for 20 years before dying of pneumonia during an LSU six-game losing streak in 1957. In an effort to help
purple and gold fans from losing all hope, Mike’s death wasn’t revealed until the football team won later in
the year.
Pneumonia struck the LSU mascot family quickly again when Mike II died in the spring of 1958. He had
become a part of Tiger lore after being born at the Audubon Park Zoo in New Orleans.
LSU’s next representative in the Tiger Den, was Mike III who arrived just in time to roar with delight over the
school’s 1958 football national championship season. Mike III enjoyed 18 years as the mascot after arriving
from Seattle. Mike III died after the 1975 football season, the first losing campaign during his rein.
Next in line was Mike IV, who served 14 years with the Tigers before retiring of old age. The Tampa native
died in 1995 at the age of 21.
LSU’s current cat is Mike V. He hails from Alabama, but has roared for the Tigers since his 1990 arrival in
Baton Rouge.
Since the first Tiger stepped into LSU tradition, several colorful Tiger tales have emerged through the
years. Because each pregame growl was supposed to equal an LSU touchdown,
Tiger faithful would pound on his cage in an effort to prompt Mike to bellow out several touchdowns. The
act was later deemed to potentially be cruel and therefore was replaced with recorded tiger roars played
on the stadium’s loudspeakers.
Prior to Mike making his pregame tour around Tiger Stadium’s field in his wheeled cage, he makes his
presence known to the opposition. Visiting teams get a close-up “eye of the tiger” look when they have to
walk right by his cage that’s placed near the entrance of their locker room.
In the spirit of the movie Born Free, Mike has escaped his cage on a couple of occasions with the help of
pranksters. LSU’s storied rivalry with Tulane has prompted the Greenies to set their sights on the tiger.
Mike I was once kidnapped by a group of Tulane students prior to the LSU-Tulane contest. Several years
ago another chapter was written in this mascot saga when the locks on Mike IV’s cage were cut the week
of the Tulane game. The tiger roamed freely and knocked down several small pine trees before he was
captured in LSU’s track stadium after police had used the calming effects of tranquilizer guns.
Mike once regularly traveled to road games to support the football team. However, a 1970 auto accident en
route to a game caused his cage to overturn, forcing Mike off the travel squad. Limited road appearances
since then have included Mardi Gras parades, Sugar Bowls and LSU basketball games in the Superdome
located in New Orleans.
LSU Nickname, Mascot & Game Day Traditions
