The LSU mascot, the tiger, is a beloved symbol of Louisiana State University. The tiger holds a special place in LSU's history and represents the strength, boldness, and resilience of the university's sports teams. The official LSU mascot is a live Bengal-Siberian tiger named Mike, who resides in his habitat on campus. Mike is not just a mascot, but also an ambassador for the university, attending various events and games to rally support for LSU's teams. The tradition of having a live tiger as the LSU mascot dates back to 1936 when a live tiger first made an appearance at a football game. Since then, there have been several "Mikes" who have held the role of mascot, each adding their unique spirit and charm to the LSU community.
Mike is an in-demand guest for plenty of events throughout the year. Team Mike commits to assisting the feline for five to seven hours a week. This entails being the mascot’s chauffeur to and from events, guiding Mike through hectic crowds on campus or in stadiums, coming up with fun things for Mike to do and being the mascot’s right-paw man.
This entails being the mascot s chauffeur to and from events, guiding Mike through hectic crowds on campus or in stadiums, coming up with fun things for Mike to do and being the mascot s right- paw man. In order to ensure Mike always has a consistent look, members should also have a height of around 5 7 to 6 3 and should be around 145 to 200 pounds, though there is really no specific weight, height or gender requirement.
Since then, there have been several "Mikes" who have held the role of mascot, each adding their unique spirit and charm to the LSU community. The current Mike, Mike VII, has been the university's mascot since 2017. He was donated by a sanctuary and has become a well-known figure on campus.
What’s life like for LSU’s Mike the Tiger? The celebrity mascot’s best friends’ tell all
No matter the sport, he’s always at the game. When he’s not cheering on the team, he can be seen prowling around LSU’s campus plotting his next antic.
He’s Mike the Tiger. LSU’s loveable yet mischievous mascot has been around since his 1959 debut. In all those years, he’s definitely earned his stripes as one of LSU’s most loyal fans.
Although he spends most of his time roaring for the Tigers, he’s grown quite a fanbase of his own. Students, sports lovers and even opponents and rival fans can’t seem to get enough of LSU’s mascot and resident ball of energy.
“There’s never a dull moment with Mike. You’ll never see Mike standing still,” LSU student Matthew Wallace says.
Wallace knows the mascot well. He is a member of Team Mike and served as its captain for the 2022-2023 season. As captain, Wallace handled the logistics of getting Mike scheduled for events and led creative duties like dreaming up ideas for Mike’s costumes, skits and videos.
Tryouts usually occur in April for Team Mike, which is part of LSU’s spirit squad. During auditions, full-time students who apply can try on suits, learn Mike’s walk and demonstrate how they’d emulate his character.
After three days of tryouts, a group of about five students is selected to carry out the tiger-sized role of making mascot magic happen for the upcoming school year.
Who are those students? It’s mostly a mystery. Though members may tell their peers that they are part of Team Mike, they keep the true extent of their roles under wraps.
“It’s very traditional for mascot programs to keep (the details) hush hush,” Wallace explains. “It’s more or less like a good bit of disillusion when talking to people (about it), because we’re not Mike. Mike is his own separate person.”
According to the online tryout informational presentation, though, Team Mike is “responsible for performing as, handling and scheduling Mike the Tiger.” Members of Team Mike have student athlete status, which means they participate in practices and workouts to ensure they have the utmost energy for all mascot duties.
“Mike’s always running around,” Wallace says. “If you lose him, you’re going to have to catch him really quickly. So you want to make sure you can keep up that stamina. Being part of Team Mike, we are offered a strength and conditioning coach on campus. He’s been a real big help keeping us in shape and making sure we’re able to keep up with Mike.”
In order to ensure Mike always has a consistent look, members should also have a height of around 5’7” to 6’3” and should be around 145 to 200 pounds, though there is really no specific weight, height or gender requirement.
Mike is an in-demand guest for plenty of events throughout the year. Team Mike commits to assisting the feline for five to seven hours a week. This entails being the mascot’s chauffeur to and from events, guiding Mike through hectic crowds on campus or in stadiums, coming up with fun things for Mike to do and being the mascot’s right-paw man.
Team Mike must attend all home football games and the Mike Camp in August. The group participates in an average of two additional events per week, which include athletic events like games and tournaments away from home, campus events like graduations and ring ceremonies, and community events like hospital and school visits, which they help organize and plan for the big cat celebrity.
Apart from his fuzzy face, Mike is also known for his trendy outfits and costumes fashioned after pop culture icons, popular memes and other LSU legends. Who could forget when he almost showed up the ever-fashionable Kim Mulkey, sporting his own butterfly sequined blazer and pink feathered jacket? A true fashion icon.
“In recent years, he seems to have gained the title of being one of the best-dressed mascots out there,” Wallace says. “Traveling with Mike, you always get compliments from other handlers of mascots about Mike’s outfits, which are pretty much facilitated by Team Mike.”
Wallace says Team Mike is always thinking of costume ideas. Just like any celebrity, Mike has his own tailor and seamstress who works hard to get him into the best outfits that fit a larger-than-life cat like him.
Team Mike’s outfit ideas are sent to Sheri Kirley, who works with her mother, Kim, to give Mike flashy, custom designs that keep him looking his best.
Of course, Mike’s popularity goes beyond his getup. He captivates crowds with his playful and cheeky personality. He can be seen busting out dance moves on the sidelines, photobombing fans and cheering on LSU with the most enthusiasm and energy.
And wherever Mike is, members of Team Mike are always in tow.
So, next time you see the fanatic tiger, just know that it takes a small village—or in this case, Team Mike—to keep this mascot looking his best. lsusports.net/spiritsquads/mascot
This article was originally published in the 2023 Tiger Pride issue of 225 magazine.
Wallace knows the mascot well. He is a member of Team Mike and served as its captain for the 2022-2023 season. As captain, Wallace handled the logistics of getting Mike scheduled for events and led creative duties like dreaming up ideas for Mike’s costumes, skits and videos.
Students and fans eagerly await his appearances at games and events, taking pride in his representation of their university. Having a live tiger as a mascot is a distinct feature that sets LSU apart from other universities. It reflects the passion and pride that LSU fans have for their sports teams, creating a unique and lively atmosphere at games and events. In addition to the live mascot, there are also other representations of tigers throughout LSU's campus. The tiger's image can be seen on logos, banners, and merchandise, further solidifying its status as a symbol of LSU's spirit and identity. Overall, the LSU mascot, the tiger, holds a special place in the hearts of students, alumni, and fans. It represents the university's proud tradition of excellence in sports and serves as a reminder of the strength and determination that LSU embodies..
Reviews for "Empowering Students: The Lsy Mascot Tiger's Impact on Leadership"
- Sarah - 2 stars - The Lsy mascot tiger was not impressive at all. The quality of the tiger costume was cheap and the colors were faded. It definitely did not look like the picture advertised. Additionally, the tiger's head was poorly designed and did not fit properly. The overall experience was quite disappointing and I would not recommend purchasing this mascot.
- John - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the Lsy mascot tiger. The size was way off, it was way too small to be considered an adult-sized mascot. The fabric used was also low quality and tore easily. The tiger's face was misshapen and looked more like a cartoon than a realistic tiger. I regretted buying this mascot and would not recommend it to anyone.
- Emily - 2 stars - The Lsy mascot tiger was a huge letdown. The material used for the costume was uncomfortable and itchy. The tiger's tail was attached poorly and kept falling off during use. The overall construction of the mascot was shoddy and it did not hold up well after just a few wears. I expected better quality for the price I paid. Save your money and look elsewhere for a mascot costume.