Before the majestic 460-pound feline ruled campus, a papier-mâché tiger represented the flagship University.
The University received its first live tiger in 1936, which was the result of a fundraising campaign that collected 25 cents from each student, reaching a grand total of $750.
The live mascot was originally named Sheik, which was later changed to Mike to honor his trainer, Chellis “Mike” Chambers.
Mike I lived at the Baton Rouge City Park Zoo until his habitat near the stadium was built.
Barry Cowan, University archivist, said Mike’s original home was “considerably smaller than what he has now.”
According to the book “Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU,” Mike’s first home consisted of a tiger house and outdoor 27-by-34-foot cage.
LSU is the only university in the nation with a live tiger on campus, said Ginger Guttner, public relations director for the School of Veterinary Medicine.
When Mike first arrived at the University, students coordinated a campus strike to welcome their new mascot by ensuring no classes would take place that day.
Cowan said students physically blocked the campus entrances while holding signs bearing phrases like “No profs no school.”
Before Mike’s arrival, an alumnus gave the University a small South American cat – which the book dubbed similar to a bobcat – named “Little Eat-’em-up” in 1924.
Cowan said Little Eat-’em-up was supposed to serve as a good luck charm, but instead led to a losing football season and was no longer welcome at the University.
“I don’t know what they did with him,” Cowan said of the cat’s expulsion.
While six total Mikes have come and gone, Mike IV may have left the biggest impression behind.
On Nov. 28, 1981, “Roar of LSU” co-author W. Sheldon Bivin got a 1 a.m. phone call from the LSU Police Department, according to Mike’s official website.
“Mike’s out,” LSUPD told him.
“Mike who?” Bivin said.
“Mike the Tiger,” the officer answered. “He’s out in the middle of North Stadium Drive.”
Guttner said Mike had been released by pranksters who cut the chain on the outer door of his cage and the lock on his inner door.
Mike didn’t do much while on the loose, she said, but the situation was remedied when Mike’s veterinarian shot him with a tranquilizer gun in the Bernie Moore Track Stadium. He awoke in his cage with no ill effects the next day.
Mike VI is the current king of the University’s campus.
The Great Cats of Indiana donated him in 2007. Guttner said Mikes I, II and III were purchased, and IV, V and VI have been donations. The University will never purchase another tiger because there are too many that need to be rescued, she said.
Mike’s current habitat was completed in 2005. The 13,000-square-foot facility includes a pool, waterfall, stream, live oak tree and indoor house, among other amenities.
He eats about 20 pounds of a formulated zoo carnivore diet each day, Guttner said. She said he’s a friendly tiger who enjoys frequent napping.
Guttner said having Mike on campus is meaningful to people all over the country.
“I always knew Mike was important to the University, but I didn’t realize how much [until Mike V died],” she said. “People would constantly call the Vet School just wanting to share how upset they were about his death.”
Hundreds of people – including ones living out of state – came to see Mike VI’s debut in 2007, she said.
“It’s still amazing to me how important he is to so many people,” Guttner said.
Accounting sophomore Ashlynn Buras said having a live tiger on campus gives the University an extra sense of uniqueness.
She said she’s visited him on a few occasions, but she’s always caught him during a nap.
 
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Contact Emily Herrington at [email protected]