While the Tigers fell from grace last weekend, Mike the Tiger also lost in a competition against 12 nominated mascots.The rival college mascots competed for votes in the 2008 Mascot Challenge. Capital One sends out nominations to NCAA Division IA and IAA schools. This was the first year Mike the Tiger participated in the competition since it began in 2002.Each nominee receives $5,000 for the University mascot program. The winner receives an additional $5,000 and a national advertising campaign.Nominations are judged on each mascot’s originality, previous awards and interaction with crowds. Twelve mascots of 242 are chosen by mascot judges and represenatives from Capital One to continue to online public voting.Mike the Tiger was eliminated from the playoffs after the 11th week, leaving six mascots contending for first place. The final week for voting between two mascots is from Dec. 8 to Dec. 15. Despite Mike the Tiger’s standings in the competition, University students still support their mascot. Mary Allen, psychology freshman, said he is proud of LSU’s mascot.”He is pretty rad,” Allen said. “The tiger is always the most fierce of the animals.”Whitney Mire, freshman architecture major, agreed with Allen. “He is cool,” Mire said. “I like the history of the Fighting Tigers … He is an actual something we have as a mascot.” Voting for the competition continues this week with the quarterfinals. Mascot of the Year will be announced during the half-time show of the Capitol One Bowl on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. Eastern time on ABC.
 
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