The mascot of LSU is a beloved and iconic symbol of the university. Named Mike the Tiger, the mascot represents the strength and spirit of the Louisiana State University community. Originally, the LSU mascot was a live tiger, but in recent years, it has transitioned to a costumed tiger named Mike. The current Mike, Mike VII, made his debut in 2017 and has been a hit with fans and students alike. Mike VII can be found at LSU football games, basketball games, and various other university events. He brings a sense of excitement and pride to the LSU campus, and his presence is often cheered on by fans in the stands.
HISTORY OF MIKE THE TIGER
In 1934, Athletic Department trainer Chellis “Mike” Chambers, Athletic Director T. P. Heard, Swimming Pool Manager and Intramural Swimming Coach William G. “Hickey” Higginbotham, and LSU law student Ed Laborde decided to bring a real tiger to LSU, then known as the “Ole War Skule.”
They raised $750, collecting 25 cents from each student, and purchased a two-hundred pound, one-year-old tiger from the Little Rock Zoo. The cub was born on October 10, 1935, and was originally named Sheik. His name was changed in honor of Chambers, the man most responsible for bringing him to LSU. Interestingly, Mike I must have remembered his original name because even years later Hickey Higginbotham could get him to roar just by calling Sheik.
Early in the morning on Wednesday, October 21, 1936, onlookers lined Highland Road, awaiting the entourage arriving from the train station. LSU students staged a campus strike equal to none to welcome their new tiger mascot to campus. Mike I would assume his duties only three days after arriving on campus. He would reign at LSU for nearly twenty years, traveling with the team and serving as the LSU mascot. Mike I died on Friday, June 29, 1956 of complications associated with kidney disease. He was twenty years and eight months old at his death. He created a legacy in which Mike the Tiger has come to symbolize the heart and soul of LSU athletics.
Following Mike’s death, a fund was established to perpetuate his memory by mounting his pelt in a lifelike manner and displaying him at the university’s Louisiana Museum of Natural History, where it remains to this day.
He brings a sense of excitement and pride to the LSU campus, and his presence is often cheered on by fans in the stands. The tradition of having a live tiger as the LSU mascot dates back to 1936 when the first Mike was acquired by the university. Since then, there have been several Mikes, each one loved and cherished by the LSU community.
Mike II
A few days after the death of Mike I, Representative Kenneth Deshotel of St. Landry introduced a resolution in the Louisiana legislature endorsing the purchase of another tiger. On campus, the Mike the Tiger Fund was launched by Student Body President Enos Parker and fellow students Vic Koepp and John Nunn. On August 4,1956, the LSU Board of Supervisors passed a resolution stating that caretaker salaries and maintenance costs for the new tiger would come equally from student fees and the Athletic Department.
Mike II was born on February 28, 1956, at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. He arrived secretly on campus on September 28, 1956. Mike’s unveiling occurred the next day, September 29, opening day of football season. A ceremony was held, during which Enos Parker presented a check for $1,500 to George Douglas, superintendent of the Audubon Zoo.
Legend has it that less than a month after his arrival at LSU, Mike II died of pneumonia at only eight months of age. Reportedly, Mike II was then secretly buried under a willow tree along the Mississippi River by newly appointed athletic director Jim Corbett, campus police chief C. R. “Dick” Anderson, and LSU Athletic Department business manager Jack Gilmore.
To explain Mike’s absence, a statement was issued in the LSU Daily Reveille on October 23 saying that Mike was having trouble adjusting to his enclosure and was there being kept inside “until he becomes more accustomed to the excitement of being a mascot.”
Another cub of the right age was located at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, according to Gilmore. In addition to Gilmore’s testimony, several pieces of evidence support the legend that the original Mike II died and was replaced by another young tiger. Photographs of Mike II taken before and after his convalescence are clearly of two different tigers (facial markings of tigers are as unique as fingerprints), and he seemed to have grown at a tremendous rate. All rumors of the death and replacement of Mike II were denied.
The second Mike II reigned at LSU for only one season. He died at the Audubon Zoo on May 15, 1958, of complications associated with multiple fractures to his left rear leg (it was not known exactly how or when the leg was injured).
In 1955, Mike’s care was taken over by Dr. Joe Dixon of the LSU Department of Veterinary Science. Thereafter, while the Athletic Department retained authority over the tiger’s day-to-day life, Mike I and subsequent tigers would have a veterinarian to attend to their medical needs.
All about Mikes: LSU Press book on Tiger mascots out just in time for football season
LSU Press released David G. Baker's 'Mike: The Tigers of LSU' on Wednesday.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY LSU PRESS
If anyone knows the life details of LSU's live mascot, Mike the Tiger, it's his former veterinarian David G. Baker.
Baker handled medical care for three of LSU's tiger mascots in his 26 years as a professor of laboratory medicine in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
Now he's reflecting on the time spent with the Mikes in "Mike: The Tigers of LSU," his new book released on Wednesday by LSU Press.
Mike the Tiger — the only live tiger mascot in the United States — is an iconic presence on LSU's campus. From his tiger sanctuary next to Tiger Stadium, he draws a steady stream of fans, adults and children, alike.
In this new book about LSU's favorite tiger, Baker writes about his decades of caring for the live mascots, beginning with Mike V in 1996.
He gives fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses of the tigers as he recounts episodes such as Mike VI's cancer diagnosis, treatment and death, and the search for Mike VII. He details the tigers' daily care and routine, provides answers to commonly asked questions about the mascot program and discusses Mike's popular social media presence.
Baker also delves into new traditions, such as the creation of "meat art" for Mike to devour before home football games and the overnight holding of graduation rings in the night house with Mike.
In addition to Baker's own text, "Mike: The Tigers of LSU" includes remembrances from many of the tigers' veterinary student caretakers over the years, who reveal how caring for Mike the Tiger impacted their lives.
The book also is loaded with more than 100 new and historical photos.
Mike the Tiger LSU Tigers Mascot Figurine
All the fun of gameday in the stands. All the comfort and convenience of your fancave. Say hello to the mascot with the most with this Mike the Tiger LSU Tigers Mascot Figurine.
- Portrays mascot posing in his gameday uniform, ready to get the crowd on its feet
- Team logo-shaped base with team logo display on top, in case there were any doubts where your allegiances lie
- Team-colored border of base that will look great in your collection
- Front name display so everyone knows who the face of your franchise is
- Handcrafted
- Hand painted
Measurements
- Height: Approximately 12 in.
- Not a toy
- Officially licensed
- Imported
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Mike VII, LSU’s Live Tiger Mascot, Received COVID-19 Vaccination
On July 16, Mike VII, LSU’s live tiger mascot, received his first COVID-19 vaccination from his veterinarian, David Baker, DVM, Ph.D., and his second dose on Aug. 6. The vaccine was donated by Zoetis, which is donating more than 11,000 of its COVID-19 vaccine to help protect the health and well-being of more than 100 mammalian species living in zoos, conservatories, sanctuaries, academic institutions, and government organizations located in 27 states.
Mike VII has not shown any adverse effects from the vaccine. His caretakers will continue to monitor him closely as always. LSU is dedicated to providing the best care for Mike VII.
In 2020, lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. It is believed that the animals contracted the virus from zookeepers. Because of this, in 2020 LSU put up barricades around the Tiger Habitat to keep visitors at least 10 feet from Mike VII. Now that Mike has been vaccinated, the barricades will be removed the week of Aug. 17.
In addition to the barricades around the habitat, the LSU mascot team instituted procedures to prevent disease transmission. LSU also restricted access to the night house to only those personnel directly involved in Mike’s care.
The current Mike resides in a lavish habitat on campus, complete with a pool, waterfall, and plenty of space to roam. He is cared for by a team of dedicated caretakers who ensure his health and well-being. In addition to being the mascot of LSU, Mike the Tiger also serves as an ambassador for the university. He often visits local schools and events, spreading the LSU spirit and bringing joy to fans of all ages. Overall, the mascot of LSU, Mike the Tiger, is a symbol of pride, strength, and unity for the university community. Whether he is cheering on the LSU Tigers at a football game or spreading school spirit in the community, Mike is a beloved figure that represents the spirit of LSU..
Reviews for "The LSU Mascot: A Symbol of Community and Tradition"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Mascot of LSU" documentary. It felt like a missed opportunity to tell a compelling story about the beloved LSU mascot. Instead, the film was filled with generic interviews and lacked depth. The filmmakers could have explored the history and traditions associated with the mascot, but it felt like they only scratched the surface. Overall, I was left wanting more.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Mascot of LSU" was a complete letdown. As a fan of LSU and their mascot, I was excited to watch this documentary and learn more about the behind-the-scenes life of the mascot. However, the film was boring and lacked any real substance. The interviews were uninteresting and the storytelling was weak. I expected so much more from this documentary, but it fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Mascot of LSU" to be underwhelming. The film felt disjointed and lacked a clear narrative. It jumped from one aspect of the mascot's life to another without any real flow. Additionally, the interviews with the mascot seemed forced and scripted, which made it difficult to connect with the character. Overall, I was hoping for a more engaging and cohesive documentary about the mascot's journey at LSU, but sadly, this film failed to deliver.
4. Sarah - 1 star - I had high hopes for "Mascot of LSU," but it turned out to be a complete disappointment. The storytelling was weak and lacked any true emotional connection. The film felt like a shallow promotional video rather than an in-depth exploration of the mascot's impact on the university and its fans. I expected a documentary that would capture the essence of what makes the mascot so special, but instead, I was left feeling unfulfilled.