What Is The Lsu University Mascot?

Mike the Tiger, the official live and costumed mascot of Louisiana State University (LSU), is a Siberian-Bengal mix that serves as the graphic image of all LSU athletics teams. Born on October 21, 1936, Mike I arrived on campus in 1936, and the current mascot is Mike VII. Two of LSU’s Tiger mascots (Mike 1 and Mike III) lived 19 years, Mike IV 20 years 9 months and 18 days, and Mike V 17 years. The average lifespan for a tiger in the US is 87 years.

Mike the Tiger, born on July 23, 2005, is the tiger mascot of LSU and has been an enduring emblem of the university. His two immediate predecessors were Mike I and Mike III, who lived 19 years, Mike IV 20 years 9 months and 18 days, and Mike V 17 years. Mike III served as LSU’s mascot for eighteen years, winning the national championship in football and three SEC championships during his lifetime.

Mike the Tiger lives in a 15,000 square foot habitat with a waterfall, swimming pond, and lush vegetation. He died of pneumonia after the only losing season of his lifetime. When not cheering on his fellow Tigers at sporting events, he is around at various charity events.

In 2023, LSU marks 87 years for its live mascot program, with Mike the Tiger being the only tiger mascot living on a college campus in the US. The current mascot, Mike VII, is the only tiger mascot living on a college campus in the US.

Is the LSU Tiger a Bengal?

Since 1936, Louisiana State University has been officially associated with the Bengal tiger as its mascot.

Why is LSU named the tiger?

The term “Tiger Rifles” originated from the volunteer company, the “Old Dominion Guards”, which was raised in New Orleans as part of Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat’s 1st Special Battalion, Louisiana Volunteer Infantry (2nd Louisiana Battalion). The company consisted of foreign-born, Irish Americans, many of whom had military experience in local militia units or as filibusters. They were organized and trained at Camp Moore. Roberdeau Wheat, a famous filibuster, intended to raise a company of New Orleans troops and a full regiment for Confederate service.

He called his company the “Old Dominion Guards” to commemorate Virginia’s recent secession from the United States to join the Southern Confederacy. With the help of Obedia Plummer Miller, a well-established New Orleans attorney, Wheat quickly recruited fifty or so men, mostly expatriate Virginians, including Henry S. Carey, Richard Dickinson, and Bruce Putnam.

Why is the LSU mascot named Mike?

Mike, the first LSU mascot, was purchased from the Little Rock Zoo in 1935 and renamed Sheik in honor of LSU’s athletic trainer, Mike Chambers. He assumed his duties as the living symbol of LSU three days after arriving on campus in 1936. In the 1950s, Mike was kidnapped by Tulane fans before a Tiger-Green Wave football game, but was found and returned safely in New Orleans.

A resolution endorsing the purchase of another tiger was introduced in the Louisiana legislature, and a fund was set up by LSU students to underwrite the cost. Mike II, born in 1956, had a short but mysterious life, being chosen due to his larger paws. He was unveiled on September 29, 1956, during the opening game of the new football season. Legend has it that Mike II died of pneumonia at only eight months of age, during a six-game losing streak. A second Mike II was secretly brought in as a ringer.

Mike III, born in 1957, arrived just in time for LSU’s 1958 National Championship football season. During his 18-year reign, LSU won three Southeastern Conference football championships (1958, 1961, 1970) and eight of 13 bowl games. Mike III died of old age in 1976 after the only losing LSU football season of his lifetime. The vet at the time, W. Sheldon Bivin, said he would never allow another tiger to die on campus.

What is the real LSU mascot?

LSU’s mascot, Mike, is a live Bengal tiger that has been a part of the institution since its early days in Baton Rouge. He has been present on the campus since the 1950s, accompanying the Tiger teams and participating in public events with the objective of promoting LSU athletics. In 2002 and 2003, Mike was bestowed the title of “Most Collegiate Mascot” at the UCA Collegiate Camp. His habitat is situated in close proximity to Tiger Stadium.

Why is LSU famous?

LSU alumni, with over 250, 000 worldwide, are a powerful force in the workplace, including diplomats, CEOs, Grammy winners, renowned doctors and scientists, best-selling authors, and space explorers. As one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the nation, LSU is in the elite 1 percent with land-, sea-, and space-grant designations, demonstrating its commitment to research and community outreach. These designations attract top scholars who collaborate across disciplines to learn from and research alongside acclaimed professors.

LSU is a top-tier research powerhouse focused on tackling the world’s most pressing issues, working alongside students and professors to share knowledge that will transform the globe. In 2022, LSU will be the first university to put technology on the moon, built by students. LSU has also helped improve medicine for inflammatory diseases, test a Hyperloop pod at SpaceX, prove Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, and mitigate coastal land loss.

LSU’s commitment to inclusion and diversity is key to its innovation and discovery, with students from all 50 states and 100 countries taking notice. LSU has enrolled the largest and most academically talented incoming classes each of the past three years, achieving record levels of diversity in its student body.

Does LSU still have a real 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.

What is LSU school nickname?

Louisiana State University (LSU) is an American public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Established in 1860, it is the flagship institution of the state and the Louisiana State University System. LSU’s main campus, dedicated in 1926, consists of over 250 buildings designed by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. The university is one of eight universities in the United States with dental, law, veterinary, medical, and Master of Business Administration programs.

In 2021, LSU enrolled over 28, 000 undergraduate and 4, 500 graduate students in 14 schools and colleges. LSU is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” and operates 800 sponsored research projects funded by various agencies.

What do LSU fans say?

LSU’s famous cheer, “Tiger Bait, Tiger Bait”, is a Cajun dish often served for breakfast. The cheer originated from Tulane University and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, both of which have similar versions ending with their team names. LSU fans yell “Tiger Bait, Tiger Bait” at visiting fans who wear their team colors. As of the 2018 baseball season, LSU has finished No. 1 in the final college baseball total attendance rankings for 23 straight seasons, with a total attendance of 399, 085 in 37 games.

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.

What is LSU known for?

LSU, a distinguished land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university, provides a diverse array of nationally and internationally esteemed research and academic programs in astrophysics, chemistry, petrochemical engineering, coastal geology, marine science, and political science.