The Princeton Tiger: A Mascot's Tale
Princeton University, a private Ivy League research university, boasts a rich history and traditions, one of the most recognizable being its mascot: the tiger. Though the university's colors of orange and black were adopted earlier, the tiger gradually emerged as a symbol of Princeton, embodying the spirit and tenacity of the institution. This article explores the origins and evolution of the Princeton Tiger, tracing its journey from a rallying cry to a beloved mascot.
The Genesis of Orange and Black
The story begins with the adoption of orange as the class color by the Class of 1869, honoring William of Orange, Prince of the House of Nassau, for whom Nassau Hall, the first college building, was named. During the inauguration of Dr. James McCosh as the president of the college, the Class of 1869 proudly displayed ribbons with "Princeton" emblazoned in black letters. In 1876, the Princeton football team sported black jerseys and tights adorned with an orange "P" on the breast for the first time in a game against Yale.
The Tiger's Gradual Emergence
While some claim the tiger's adoption dates back to 1882, with the establishment of the campus humor magazine, The Tiger, the consensus suggests a more gradual assimilation. Newspapermen covering Princeton's athletic events in New York and New Haven likely played a role in popularizing the tiger as a symbol. The growing use of orange and black as the college colors and the inclusion of "tiger" as a rallying word in college cheers further solidified the tiger's association with Princeton.
Early Manifestations of the Tiger
In 1882, The Princeton Tiger humor magazine debuted, featuring a lively tiger cub on its title page. Football players of the early 1880s sported broad orange and black stripes, leading sportswriters to affectionately dub them "tigers." The tiger soon found its way into Princeton songs, such as Clarence Mitchell's "The Orange and the Black" (1889), which declared:
"While the tiger stands defenderOf the Orange and the Black."
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Ernest Carter's "Steps Song" also alluded to the tiger, despite the presence of lions guarding Nassau Hall:
"Old Nassau's tigers slow awake;The Seniors hold the steps tonight."
In 1905, Kenneth S. Clark composed a song about a Princeton tiger "who will eat right off your hand," but warned of its fearsome roar in battle.
The Tiger Takes Physical Form
The tiger began appearing in various forms on campus. In 1893, an eating club, formerly known as The Inn, adopted the name Tiger Inn. In 1902, marble tigers holding shields were placed on the gateway north of Little Hall, followed by another pair on the north wall of McCosh Hall in 1907.
Replacing the Lions
Ironically, the tiger's rise to prominence occurred shortly after Woodrow Wilson's class presented the College with a pair of lions to guard Nassau Hall's main entrance in 1879. In 1911, the Class of 1879 replaced the lions with A.P. Proctor's bronze tigers, firmly establishing the tiger as Princeton's symbol. The same year, carved marble tigers adorned the pillars of the newly constructed Ferris Thompson Gateway at University Field.
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Ubiquitous Tigers
The tiger's presence extended to various locations on campus, appearing as brass weathervanes, on mouldings, and above a fireplace at the Graduate College. These depictions were undoubtedly conceived as male, until 1969, when Bruce Moore's bronze tigers for the Adams Mall included both male and female figures, coinciding with the introduction of coeducation.
The Live Tiger Era
In 1923, a live tiger, captured in India by the father of a football player, was brought to Princeton as a mascot. However, due to community concerns, the tiger was eventually donated to a zoo.
The Modern Mascot
Since World War II, a student clad in a tiger skin has become a regular fixture at football games, cavorting with cheerleaders and the band. In 1973, a female student in a tiger suit, distinguished by orange bows, joined the mascot, marking the debut of the Tigress.
The Tigress and Evolving Traditions
In 1969, Princeton University embraced coeducation, admitting women to all degree programs. This change brought about new traditions, including the introduction of the Tigress mascot. The Tigress did not replace the Tiger; rather, the pair appeared together for over a decade. By the early 1990s, the student in the Tiger suit was often a woman, and today, the mascot is generally considered genderless. Rules for the student in the Tiger suit emphasize anonymity, prohibiting them from speaking or revealing their gender.
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