Mike the Tiger is the official mascot of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as the graphic image of LSU sports. By tradition a live Bengal tiger, the last two tigers were of mixed breeds. Mike V (a Bengali-Indochinese mix) was the fifth live tiger since 1936 to act as the university's mascot. Mike VI is a Bengali-Siberian hybrid.[1]
Since the 1950s, Mike the Tiger has also been portrayed by a costumed student. Costumed Mike appears at most LSU sporting events and also appears at several LSU-related functions. In August of 2007, Costumed Mike was featured on a This Is Sportscenter Commercial with LSU alum Shaquille O'Neal.[2]
LSU's men's and women's sports teams are called the Fighting Tigers and Lady Tigers, respectively, and the university's football team plays its home games in Tiger Stadium. LSU first adopted its "Tigers" nickname in the fall of 1896. The moniker is a reference to the state's Confederate heritage; the Louisiana troops of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia became known as the Tigers during the Civil War in recognition of the bravery of two New Orleans brigades, the Tiger Rifles and the Washington Artillery (whose logo featured a snarling tiger's head).[3]
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- LSU TIGERS
- Welcome LSU Tiger fans! This lens is for LSU football fans and anyone who wants to learn a little about the Tigers. On this lens, you can check the latest football scores and news, purchase LSU football tickets, watch videos of LSU football plays and of Mike the Tiger...
A Few Interesting Traditions...
- On home football game days, Mike's cage on wheels is parked by the opponent's locker room at the southeast end of Tiger Stadium. Opposing players must pass by Mike's cage in order to reach their locker room.
- With his cage topped by the LSU cheerleaders, Mike rides through Tiger Stadium before the start of home games.
- According to tradition, LSU will score a touchdown for every one of Mike's roars on game day.
- After a new search for a mascot is announced, the public eagerly anticipates for white smoke to blow from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, announcing that the new tiger has been located, mimicking the white smoke which billows from the Sistine Chapel when a new Pope is elected. [20]
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WhitneyWells
Great Lens! Who doesn't love Mike the Tiger? Posted February 19, 2008 |
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AdriennePetersen
Great lens about Mike! Thanks for visiting my How To Make Chocolate Fudge That Will Have Your Friends & Family Begging For More! Lens. Posted January 04, 2008 |
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