College Football Teams with Tiger Mascots comprise 1. Clemson 2. LSU 3. Auburn 4. Missouri 5. Princeton 6. Jackson State and 7. Towson.
Princeton University was the oldest to adopt the tiger nickname in the early when football players started wearing orange and black stripes. The tiger theme spread across campus, inspiring cheers, songs, and even a humor magazine called The Princeton Tiger.
After that, various American universities and sports teams also adopted tiger mascots, such as Missouri, Louisiana State, and Clemson. The tiger tradition remains strong, making it a significant part of an American Football identity.
Similarly, Aubie the Tiger started as a cartoon on Auburn’s football programs in 1959. It is believed that the character brought fortune to the teams, Later, Aubie came to life as an amulet in 1979.
Aubie cheered for Auburn at basketball and football games, surprising everyone with his energy. Since then, Aubie has become a symbol of team spirit, supporting Auburn’s sports teams and making fans happy.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn Tigers mascot name is Aubie the Tiger. It was created by Birmingham Post Herald artist Phil Neel and came to life in 1979.
Auburn University’s mascot, started as a cartoon in 1959 on football program covers. He brought luck to Auburn’s teams, and his image changed over the years.
In 1979, Aubie came to life at a basketball tournament with the help of Auburn’s spirit director and alumni contributions. The live mascot debuted at an Auburn game.
The amulet was regarded as a symbol leading the team to victories. It was a costume inspired by earlier drawings that were created, officially giving Auburn their Tigers mascot.
In the 2023 college football season, the Auburn Tigers had a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. They competed in the SEC conference’s West Division, under the coaching of Hugh Freeze. Auburn scored 148 points in total, averaging 29.6 points per game, ranking 71st out of 133 teams.
They boast an impressive record of 785 wins and 452 losses. The team has claimed two national titles in 1957 and 2010, along with four unclaimed titles.
Auburn has also produced notable players, including three Heisman Trophy winners. This includes Pat Sullivan in 1971, Bo Jackson in 1985, and Cam Newton in 2010.
Clemson
Clemson mascot is specifically named The Tiger which first appeared in the year 1954. It is one of the scariest college football mascots.
The Clemsons have been called The Tigers since 1986. The name came from Auburn University, where a coach named Walter Merritt Riggs used to study.
At first, their mascot was a student dressed as a Southern Gentleman, but it changed to a tiger later in 1954. It has big yellow eyes that some people find scary.
In 1993, a young character called “The Cub” joined his uncle “The Tiger” at a Clemson vs. Georgia Tech game. The younger version was wearing big shoes and purple overalls.
Before that, the tiger was shown inside the letter “C” and later in a cartoon style from 1951 to 1964. In the 1970s, the image was updated, and the tiger wears fur and different sports jerseys made of Acrylic material.
Since 1978, Clemson’s mascot has done push-ups as a fun tradition for every point the team scores, a tradition other mascots also follow. They have four tiger and cub costumes for various events.
In 2023, Clemson Tigers won 4 out of 6 games, ranking 46th among 133 teams. They played in the ACC conference, winning 2 out of 4 conference games.
They have a rich football history spanning 122 seasons from 1902 to 2023. With a record of 773 wins, 463 losses, and 44 ties, they have excelled in various conferences including ACC, Southern, and Independent play.
The Tigers have secured 22 conference championships and earned national titles in 1981, 2016, and 2018. In 49 bowl appearances, they have a record of 26-23, showcasing their competitiveness in the history of college football.
LSU
Mike the Tiger is the mascot of the Louisiana State University (LSU). The name was selected to pay tribute to the athletic trainer, Mike Chambers.
The tradition began in 1936 with a live Bengal tiger named Sheik, later renamed Mike I. Over the years, several tigers like Mike II, III, IV, V, and VI, served as mascots each with its unique story.
Mike V, for instance, saw LSU win a football championship in 2003. After the death of Mike VI, the college welcomed Mike VII, a Siberian-Bengal hybrid named Harvey, in 2017.
On game days, Mike’s cage used to be wheeled through the stadium, bringing good luck to the LSU football team. LSU students love taking pictures with Mike during graduation.
The tradition also includes a costumed mascot named Mike the Mascot, who appears at LSU events. Mike the Tiger continues to be a cherished symbol of LSU’s spirit and pride.
In the 2023 football season, the LSU Tigers, led by Coach Brian Kelly, had a 4-2 record and secured the 22nd spot in the AP poll. Competing in the challenging SEC West Division, they achieved a 3-1 conference record.
They have played football for 119 seasons from 1902 to 2023. They won 12 conference championships and national titles in 1908, 1958, 2003, 2007, and 2019.
Missouri
Missouri football mascot is named Truman the Tiger which was named on September 12, 1986. Truman has received the title of “best mascot in the nation” multiple times.
Their most recent award was given in 2014. The mascot is represented by the Anthropomorphic Bengal tiger.
In 1864, during the Civil War, people in Columbia formed a group called the “Fighting Tigers of Columbia” to protect their city and university. Similarly, In 1890, the university’s football team was named the “Tigers” to honor these defenders.
The original mascot, called “The Tiger,” was a plain grey tiger with black stripes. In 1986, a new mascot named “Truman The Tiger” replaced the old one.
Truman is famous for doing push-ups with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). After the Tigers score and arrive at home football games on a vintage fire truck called “Truman’s Taxi.”
In the 2023 season, the Missouri Tigers performed well with a 5-1 record, ranking 15th out of 133 teams. Competing in the SEC (East Division) conference, they won 1 out of 2 conference championships.
Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz led the team to score 199 points, averaging 33.2 points per game, which placed them 40th in the league. Defensively, they allowed 153 points, with opponents averaging 25.5 points per game, ranking 71st in the league.
Princeton
Princeton official mascot is The Tiger and the association began in the 19th Century with orange and black striped war flags in the football game.
The name stuck and became a part of Princeton’s identity. In 1893, a club named Tiger Inn was established, further solidifying the tiger connection.
A live tiger briefly served as the mascot in 1923. Today, tiger imagery is reflected on campus buildings, and sculptures of tigers mark significant spots.
In 1973, Princeton University got a new mascot at a football game against Yale. That event, named Princeton’s Tigress, looked like Ms. Pac-Man and wore orange bows on her head and tail.
The Princeton mascot has changed a lot in how it looks. It used to be still and not moving much, but now it’s more active and modern. Different artists and designers have helped make these changes, showing how Princeton likes to try new things and be creative.
The Princeton Tigers College football team had a remarkable history from 1869 to 1981, spanning 109 seasons. During this time, they achieved a commendable record of 637 wins, 233 losses, and 48 ties.
They secured five conference championships and an impressive 15 national championships in years like 1869, 1870, 1885, and 1922. The team has also produced a Heisman winner Dick Kazmaier, in 1951.
Towson
Towson official mascot is named Doc the Tiger. It was named in the year 2003 after the naming contest involving the University community.
The name was given to the Doc after 40 nameless years through a contest that drew over 1,000 submissions. It was named in honor of Dr. Donald I. Minnegan who was the university’s first athletics director.
Doc made his debut on April 26, 2003, during a halftime event at a Towson-Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse game. The first tiger mascot on campus was introduced in the 1963 homecoming parade by Towson alumnus Lou Winkelman.
Over the years, Doc’s logo has undergone changes. Initially, it had a traditional tiger representation, but it was redesigned to portray Doc in a more dynamic and energetic pose with modern design trends.
The Towson Tigers football team has a history spanning 47 years with nearly 500 games played. They participated in NCAA football at all levels (DIII, DII, and DI), being the only team to reach the postseason at each level.