Is Lsu Altering Its Mascot?

Louisiana State University (LSU) is considering a solution to its reluctance to bring its live tiger mascot, Mike the Tiger, to home football games. Since 1936, LSU has had seven live tigers as the school’s mascot, most living in cramped conditions of less than 2,000 square feet and being paraded around. The current tiger, Mike VII, was officially replaced by an 11-month-old Siberian-Bengal mix late last month, just in time for the start of school and football.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is petitioning LSU to revive its tradition of bringing its live tiger mascot to home football games, even though veterinarians are concerned about the mascot’s racist nature. The university is not planning to change its mascot in the face of an online petition that contends the mascot is racist.

The 11-month-old Siberian-Bengal mix officially replaced Mike VI late last month, just in time for the start of school and football. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is also pushing for LSU’s live Mike the Tiger mascot to debut on the sidelines of Death Valley, as multiple media outlets are reporting.

In 2023, 2023 marks 87 years for LSU’s live mascot program, with Mike I arriving on campus on October 21, 1936, and Mike VII now making his appearance in the game.

Did LSU change their mascot?

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is considering bringing back live animal mascot Mike the Tiger, who used to be a regular fixture at LSU’s home games at Death Valley, despite objections from veterinarians. Landry and three state officials, including LSU dean of veterinary medicine Oliver Garden, met with Garden to discuss the possibility. However, LSU veterinary school spokesperson Ginger Guttner confirmed that Mike VII will not be visiting Death Valley anytime soon.

Does LSU still have Mike the Tiger?

Mike the Tiger is the only live tiger on a college campus in the U. S., located on North Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge. It is situated between Bernie Moore Track Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and is across the street from Tiger Stadium. Visitors can park on North Stadium Drive and adjacent to Tiger Stadium. Mike is usually outside between 8 a. m. and 8 p. m., including weekends and holidays. Yard work is scheduled each Thursday morning, so Mike remains inside until it is completed.

Does LSU have a real tiger mascot?

LSU’s live mascot program, Mike I, has been in operation since 1936. The institution, one of only 30 veterinary schools in the United States and Louisiana, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of both humans and animals through the provision of education, research, and service. The current tiger is designated as Mike VII. The institution’s mission is to educate, heal, discover, and protect.

Who is LSU’s biggest rival?

Arkansas is LSU’s biggest rival, having played each other since 1901. Since 1996, the winner of the annual matchup has won 19 games, while the Razorbacks have only gone home with the nearly $200-pound, $10, 000 trophy nine times. In 2023, LSU ended the 2023 season in third place in the SEC West college football standings, while Arkansas sat in last. In the Learfield Directors’ Cup, the SEC had seven institutions in the top 25, including Texas and Oklahoma.

Tennessee led the SEC teams in third place, while LSU was 10th. Texas football will not face LSU this season, but the Tigers and Longhorns will meet in different sports, with LSU’s women’s basketball team playing in Austin and Texas men’s basketball taking a road trip to Baton Rouge.

How did LSU become tigers?

LSU football coach A. W. Jeardeau’s team, the Tigers, first adopted the nickname “Fighting Tigers” in 1896. The Tiger, a live Bengal Tiger, serves as the graphic image of all LSU Athletics teams and is housed between Tiger Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. In 2005, a $3. 7 million 15, 000-square foot habitat was created, featuring lush planting, a live oak tree, a waterfall, and a stream. The backdrop features an Italianate tower, a campanile, creating a visual bridge to the architectural vernacular.

This spectacular habitat allows for state-of-the-art technologies, research, conservation, husbandry programs, educational, interpretive, and recreational activities, making it one of the largest and finest Tiger habitats in the United States.

Why doesn t LSU wear purple?

LSU was forced to wear purple jerseys at home between 1983 and 1994, despite winning SEC titles in 1986 and 1988. Passionate Tigers fans often criticized the purple threads as bad luck and pushed an important Bayou football tradition to the side. In 1993, coach Curley Hallman asked the NCAA if LSU could start wearing white jerseys at home during LSU football’s centennial, but was denied. In 1995, new coach Gerry DiNardo saved the fading memory of the Legend of the White Jerseys.

What does the 3 on LSU field mean?

In honor of Greg Brooks Jr., the LSU football team will wear stickers bearing the number 3 on their helmets during Saturday’s game against Arkansas. Mr. Brooks underwent emergency brain surgery to remove a sizable tumor last week. His family is currently awaiting the results of a biopsy. Coach Brian Kelly stated that Brooks was a resilient individual who demonstrated advancement throughout the course of the week. He will subsequently proceed to visit him following the conclusion of the performance.

Why does LSU say geaux tigers?

The Geaux Tigers cheer, a popular tradition for LSU athletics, is derived from the French Cajun name “-eaux”. Fans often issue newcomers endearing French names, with coaches being targeted for humor. The cheer is particularly popular when LSU plays their rival, Ole Miss, where fans shout “Geaux to Hell Ole Miss. Geaux to hell” frequently, with signs throughout the stadium. Ole Miss fans typically respond with “Go to hell, LSU!” The tradition began in 1959 when Coach Paul Dietzel hired a plane to litter the LSU campus with flyers saying “Go to Hell, LSU!” and Ole Miss fans responded by littering the Ole Miss campus with flyers saying “Go to Hell, Ole Miss!” The tradition has stuck ever since.

LSU’s famous cheer before games and during games is about famous food in Louisiana, “Hot boudin, cold coush-coush, come on tigers, push push push”. This cheer is pronounced poosh to rhyme with coush-coush, a Cajun dish typically served for breakfast. The origin of this cheer is claimed by Tulane University and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, both of which have similar versions ending with their respective team names.

Why is LSU yellow and purple?

The LSU brand is symbolized by its colors, purple representing passion and culture, and gold representing excellence. These colors, dating back to 1893, still resonate today. The official colors for LSUE are listed below, and approved complementary colors are used as highlights or accents. The official logo cannot be printed in these colors. The colors are the only ones where the LSUE logo can appear.

Who takes care of Mike the Tiger at LSU?

Mike the Tiger, a large cat at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, is cared for by Dr. David Baker, a personal veterinarian. Two veterinary students work with him for two years before graduating. Mike eats 140 pounds of food weekly, consisting of a formulated zoo carnivore diet, consisting of beef and vitamins and minerals. Supplements like B vitamins and Vitamin E capsules are added for healthy skin and hair coat.

All medical procedures requiring anesthesia are performed at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, with simple procedures performed in his night house. The zoo provides a variety of specialized services to support Mike’s well-being.

What happened to the LSU Tiger?

Mike VI, a spindle cell sarcoma patient, was diagnosed with the cancer in May 2016. He underwent stereotactic radiotherapy and was found to have grown and spread despite treatment. He was placed in hospice care in his night house. On October 11, 2016, Mike was humanely euthanized in his night house. Mike VII, born on September 13, 2016, was introduced to the LSU community on August 21, 2017. LSU announced that the rescue tiger, “Harvey”, had arrived on campus on August 15 and was quarantined in the night house. The tiger acclimated well to his new environment and was deemed ready to become Mike VII. LSU held a welcome event for Mike VII almost a month after his arrival on campus and on his birthday.