The "Why" of the Tiger

Tigers are big, ferocious cats known for speed, strength, and flexibility, so it is no wonder it is the second most common mascot in college sports.  Forty-six 4-year universities use the Tiger as their symbol.  Clemson, The University of Missouri, and Princeton are just a few of the other schools that call themselves "Tigers."  The University of Memphis has a live tiger (Tom) as their mascot, much like LSU (although, they've only had a live Tiger since 1972....Mike has been at LSU since 1936....more on that later).  There's even another SEC school that call themselves the Tigers...Auburn.   But seeing how they can't decide on a single mascot, I consider them only 1/3 Tiger, no matter how cute Aubie might be.  (Yeah, yeah....War Eagle is the battle cry.  Whatever.  They have an eagle that flies around the stadium.  Sounds like a mascot to me.  And what is a Plainsman, anyway? ).  But, I digress.....



Most teams chose their mascots based on legend or lore local to the community. Even the strangest mascots make perfect sense when you understand the context (i.e. the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils).  But there are no Tigers roaming around LSU, Clemson, or Missouri.  So what is the reason LSU chose the Tiger to represent their school?


According to Arthur W. Bergeron, Jr., PhD. and the "Guide to Louisiana Confederate Military Units, 1861-1865" (LSU Press, 1989), the name Louisiana Tigers evolved from a volunteer company nicknamed the Tiger Rifles, which was organized in New Orleans. This company became a part of a battalion commanded by Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat and was the only company of that battalion to wear the colorful Zouave uniform. In time, Wheat's entire battalion was called the Tigers. 

That nickname in time was applied to all of the Louisiana troops of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The tiger symbol came from the famous Washington Artillery of New Orleans. A militia unit that traces its history back to the 1830s, the Washington Artillery had a logo that featured a snarling tiger's head. These two units first gained fame at the Battle of First Manassas on July 21, 1861. Major David French Boyd, first president of LSU after the war, had fought with the Louisiana troops in Virginia and knew the reputation of both the Tiger Rifles and Washington Artillery.

Thus when LSU football teams entered the gridiron battlefields in their fourth year of intercollegiate competition, they tagged themselves as the 'Tigers'.

So there you have it.....the reason why LSU is known as the Tigers.  It's not due to unoriginality, or that they randomly picked the Tiger just because it is a really awesome animal (although, that IS a bonus).  It's to honor some of our state's Civil War Heroes.


And of the 46 schools that call themselves Tigers, Mike is clearly the best in the streak (a group of Tigers is called a "streak".... you learn something new everyday.) 


Please remember to vote for your favorite Tiger at the Capital One Mascot Challenge or by texting "Mike" to 69866.


GEAUX TIGERS!!!!


(Cheese alert!!!!)  


Now that you know the "Why" of the Tiger, I thought I'd add in some Eye of the Tiger.  Hey, I warned you....cheesy :-)