Roaring Pride: A Guide to Colleges with Tiger Mascots
College mascots represent more than just sideline figures. They embody the spirit, history, and identity of colleges and universities, uniting students, alumni, and fans. Mascots have evolved from simple team nicknames and live animals to the costumed figures that are integral to college culture. This article explores the tradition of college mascots, with a special focus on institutions that have adopted the tiger as their symbol of pride.
The Evolution of College Mascots
The tradition of college mascots began in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Yale University was one of the first to adopt a mascot, a bulldog named Handsome Dan. Live animal mascots became symbols of school spirit. However, their impracticality and unpredictability eventually led to the introduction of costumed figures. Over time, mascots became deeply ingrained in college culture, representing athletic prowess, academic pride, institutional values, and a unifying symbol for the campus community.Mascots are as diverse as the college landscape, ranging from animals and whimsical characters to historical figures. Traditional mascots have long been chosen for their imagery, symbolism, and ability to inspire pride and unity.
The Significance of Mascots in College Culture
College mascots are a fun part of college culture, but choosing a college involves considering factors beyond just mascots. These include size, location, academic programs, social climate, activities, and research opportunities. Universities recognize the importance of selecting mascots that resonate positively with all students, alumni, and fans, regardless of their backgrounds. Some universities have even retired mascots in the recent past.
Colleges and Universities with Tiger Mascots
Many colleges and universities across the United States proudly feature the tiger as their mascot. Here's a detailed look at some of these institutions:
- Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama): Known as the Auburn Tigers, this SEC school has a rich athletic tradition. The "War Eagle" is another symbol of Auburn.
- Barber-Scotia College (Concord, North Carolina): The Barber-Scotia College Tigers are located in Concord, North Carolina.
- Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina): As the Benedict College Tigers, this institution competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
- Campbellsville University (Campbellsville, Kentucky): The Campbellsville University Tigers participate in the Mid-South Conference.
- CC Allegheny County-South (West Mifflin, Pennsylvania): The CC Allegheny County-South Tigers are located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
- Central Christian College (McPherson, Kansas): Located in McPherson, Kansas, Central Christian College is home to the Tigers.
- Chattanooga State Community College (Chattanooga, Tennessee): The Chattanooga State Community College Tigers are located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Clemson University (Clemson, South Carolina): Clemson University's mascot is the Clemson Tigers. The "Eye of the Tiger" shines bright here.
- Coahoma Community College (Clarksdale, Mississippi): The Coahoma Community College Tigers are located in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
- Colorado College (Colorado Springs, Colorado): The Colorado College Tigers are located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- Cowley College (Arkansas City, Kansas): Cowley College is represented by the Cowley College Tigers.
- Dakota Wesleyan University (Mitchell, South Dakota): The Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers are located in Mitchell, South Dakota.
- Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia): The Dalhousie University Tigers are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana): The DePauw University Tigers are located in Greencastle, Indiana.
- Doane College (Crete, Nebraska): The Doane College Tigers are located in Crete, Nebraska.
- East Central University (Ada, Oklahoma): The East Central University Tigers are located in Ada, Oklahoma.
- East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, Texas): Located in Marshall, Texas, East Texas Baptist University is home to the Tigers.
- Edward Waters College (Jacksonville, Florida): The Edward Waters College Tigers are located in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Fort Hays State University (Hays, Kansas): Fort Hays State University is represented by the Fort Hays State University Tigers.
- Georgetown College (Georgetown, Kentucky): The Georgetown College Tigers are located in Georgetown, Kentucky.
- Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana): The Grambling State University Tigers are located in Grambling, Louisiana.
- Hampden-Sydney College (Hampden-Sydney, Virginia): The Hampden-Sydney College Tigers are located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia.
- Hiwassee College (Madisonville, Tennessee): The Hiwassee College Tigers are located in Madisonville, Tennessee.
- Holy Family University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania): The Holy Family University Tigers are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Iowa Wesleyan College (Mount Pleasant, Iowa): The Iowa Wesleyan College Tigers are located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
- Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi): The Jackson State University Tigers are located in Jackson, Mississippi.
- Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana): Known as the LSU Tigers, this SEC powerhouse is famous for its live tiger mascot, Mike the Tiger.
- Marion Military Institute (Marion, Alabama): The Marion Military Institute Tigers are located in Marion, Alabama.
- Marshalltown Community College (Marshalltown, Iowa): The Marshalltown Community College Tigers are located in Marshalltown, Iowa.
- University of Memphis (Memphis, Tennessee): The University of Memphis Tigers are located in Memphis, Tennessee.
- University of Missouri (Columbia, Missouri): The University of Missouri Tigers are located in Columbia, Missouri.
- Northeast Mississippi Community College (Booneville, Mississippi): The Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers are located in Booneville, Mississippi.
- Occidental College (Los Angeles, California): The Occidental College Tigers are located in Los Angeles, California.
- Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, Illinois): The Olivet Nazarene University Tigers are located in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
- Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, Arkansas): The Ouachita Baptist University Tigers are located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
- Pacific (Stockton, California): The Pacific Tigers are located in Stockton, California.
- Paul Quinn College (Dallas, Texas): The Paul Quinn College Tigers are located in Dallas, Texas.
- Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey): The Princeton University Tigers are located in Princeton, New Jersey.
- Queensborough Community College (Bayside, New York): The Queensborough Community College Tigers are located in Bayside, New York.
- Reedley College (Reedley, California): The Reedley College Tigers are located in Reedley, California.
- Riverside Community College (Riverside, California): The Riverside Community College Tigers are located in Riverside, California.
- Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, New York): The Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers are located in Rochester, New York.
- Roxbury Community College (Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts): The Roxbury Community College Tigers are located in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts.
- Salem University (Salem, West Virginia): The Salem University Tigers are located in Salem, West Virginia.
- Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia): The Savannah State University Tigers are located in Savannah, Georgia.
- South Georgia State College (Douglas, Georgia): The South Georgia State College Tigers are located in Douglas, Georgia.
- St. Paul's College (Lawrenceville, Virginia): The St. Paul's College Tigers are located in Lawrenceville, Virginia.
Spotlight on Clemson University's Tiger Mascot
Clemson University's mascot, the Clemson Tiger, is a beloved figure known for entertaining fans. Since 1954, a Clemson student has donned the mascot suit. In 1993, The Tiger Cub joined the mascot team. These "furry creatures" can be seen imitating game officials (although this is now against the rules), signing autographs, getting their picture taken with dignitaries, shooting the cannon, and doing push-ups each time Clemson scores.
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Two fan-favorite mascots were Mike Bays (1994-1997), who holds the all-time push-up record with 2,216 and was third in the 1996 UCA National Mascot Championships, and Chris Peters (1992-1993), who spent the 1995 football season as the mascot of the Memphis Mad Dogs of the World Football League.
Memorable Moments
One of McWhorterâs funniest moments was in Columbia in 1989 when he grabbed a tuba from a member of Tiger Band during halftime of the USC game. He ran on the field and created general havoc until being chased away by an offended Carolina band member. Said Jay Williams, âIt was an honor to be the first Tiger Cub.â âIt was exciting to create a personality and see the kids faces. The Tiger is more traditional, the fighting Tiger, but I am an innocent, playful childlike mascot that the smaller kids really enjoy. The Cub adds a new dimension and means of interacting with the crowd.â
Clemson Tiger Mascot History
The following list shows the history of the Clemson Tiger and Tiger Cub mascots.
| The Tiger | Year | Tiger Cub |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Mace | 2015-16 | Deanne Flanders |
| Andrew Beeler | 2014-15 | Lauren Adams |
| Samantha Campbell | 2013-14 | Chris Alston |
| Kacie Trojanowsky | 2012-13 | Chris Alston & Christopher âKitâ Southwick |
| Sarah Newburn | 2011-12 | Michael Speer |
| Sarah Newburn | 2010-11 | Nolan Cole |
| Sarah Newburn | 2009-10 | Nolan Cole |
| Martin Jernigan | 2008-09 | Dan Licata |
| Tyler Alewine | 2007-08 | Brandon Little |
| Clint Cagle | 2006-07 | Brandon Little |
| Clint Cagle | 2005-06 | Brad Stoehr |
| Paul Huguley | 2004-05 | Brad Stoehr |
| Paul Huguley | 2003-04 | Patrick Hitpas |
| Jordan Powell | 2002-03 | Patrick Hitpas |
| Kate Weppner | 2001-02 | Jon Potter |
| Dan Wangerin | 2000-01 | Zack Callaham |
| Dan Wangerin | 1999-2000 | Rob Lockard |
| Dan Wangerin | 1998-99 | Wes Scruggs |
| Ryan Teten | 1997-98 | Mike Bays |
| Ryan Teten | 1996-97 | Mike Bays |
| Brian Gerhart | 1995-96 | Mike Bays |
| Jay Williams | 1994-95 | Chase Nichols |
| Jay Williams | 1993-94 | Chris Peters |
| â | 1992-93 | Will Sykes |
| â | 1991-92 | Will Sykes |
| â | 1990-91 | Stuart McWhorter |
| â | 1989-90 | Martin Lowry & Stuart McWhorter |
| â | 1988-89 | Martin Lowry |
| â | 1987-88 | Chris Shimakonis |
| â | 1986-87 | David Friedman |
| â | 1985-86 | Jay Watson |
| â | 1984-85 | Randy Faile |
| â | 1983-84 | Randy Faile |
| â | 1982-83 | Ricky Capps |
| â | 1981-82 | Ricky Capps |
| â | 1980-81 | Zack Mills |
| â | 1979-80 | Zack Mills |
| â | 1978-79 | Chris Carter |
| â | 1977-78 | Randy Addison |
| â | 1976-77 | George Langstaff |
| â | 1975-76 | Tony Saad |
| â | 1974-75 | Michael Hunt |
| â | 1973-74 | Michael Hunt |
| â | 1972-73 | Randy Jackson |
| â | 1971-72 | Randy Jackson |
| â | 1970-71 | Sam Coker |
| â | 1969-70 | Sam Coker |
| â | 1968-69 | Bob Harris |
| â | 1967-68 | Zeke Welborn |
| â | 1966-67 | Dr. Marvin Reid |
| â | 1965-66 | â |
| â | 1964-65 | Jim Gibson |
| â | 1963-64 | â |
| â | 1962-63 | Jim Lloyd |
| â | 1961-62 | Steve Morrison |
| â | 1960-61 | Billy McCown |
| â | 1959-60 | â |
| â | 1958-59 | Tommy Grant |
| â | 1957-58 | â |
| â | 1956-57 | â |
| â | 1955-56 | Gabby Hayes |
| â | 1954-55 | â |
Clemson Tiger Mascot Measurements & Details
| Measurement | The Tiger | Tiger Cub |
|---|---|---|
| Neck | 16â³ | 15â³ |
| Sleeve | 35â³ | 34â³ |
| Height | 6â1â³ | 5â6â³ |
| Hips | 42â³ | 42â³ |
| Waist | 36â³ | 34â³ |
| Inseam | 34â³ | 34â³ |
| Head/Hat Size | Large | 11 7/8 |
| Tail | 56â³ | 48â³ |
| Shoe Size | NA | 28 |
The fur fabric is 80% Acrylic and 20% polyester with a backing thatâs 75% polyester and 25% cotton. Heads are constructed from Kydex plastic.
Clemson Tiger Push-Up Records
| Category | Record/Record Holder | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Quarter | 70 by Chris Alston | Duke | 2012 |
| Second Quarter | 175 by Ricky Capps | Wake Forest | 1981 |
| Third Quarter | 225 by Christopher âKitâ Southwick | North Carolina | 2011 |
| Fourth Quarter | 128 by Rob Lockard | NC State | 1998 |
| Single Game | 465 by Ricky Capps | Wake Forest | 1981 |
| Away Day Game | 251 by Zack Mills | Wake Forest | 1978 |
| Away Night Game | 315 by Brad Stoehr | South Carolina | 2003 |
| Home Day Game | 465 by Ricky Capps | Wake Forest | 1981 |
| Home Night Game | 135 by Jon Potter | The Citadel | 2000 |
| Overseas Game | 72 by Randy Faile | Wake Forest | 1982 |
| Bowl Game | 105 by Martin Lowry | Penn State | 1988 |
| Season | 1,549 by Jon Potter | 2000 | |
| Career | 2,216 by Mike Bays | 1994-97 |
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