The tradition began when athletic trainer Chellis 'Mike' Chambers and students fundraised to buy a tiger cub from a zoo in Arkansas. Their first enclosure was built with a 1937 Works Progress Administration grant. Each successive tiger, all named Mike, has been cared for with increasing dedication. Mike VII arrived in 2017, his state-of-the-art habitat featuring a climate-controlled night house, a large pool, and a flowing stream, funded entirely by private donations through the Tiger Athletic F

Taking care of Mike VII requires two LSU veterinary school students to give up their free time to look after the only live tiger mascot in the U.S. “It’s probably the coolest student worker job on campus but also the one with most responsibility." See the full story on how the job works and the lasting memories: bit.ly/49TJR8a | NOLA.com

Mike the tiger roaming his habitat ahead of the LSU vs. Alabama game this evening! | WXXV 25