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LSU and the Bengal Tiger
Posted on 6/18/20 at 4:42 pm
Posted on 6/18/20 at 4:42 pm
The Bengal Tiger has been the official mascot of Louisiana State University since 1936. LSU chose the Panthera tigris tigris because it was the custom at the time to choose a name based upon a vicious animal. Dr. Charles Coates, who was Dean Emeritus, College of Pure and Applied Science and the Tigers' first coach who was affiliated with LSU from 1893-1939, detailed this history in the following letter to the LSU Alumni News in October of 1937:
So, although the LSU football uniform also reminded Coates of the Tiger Rifles and their colorful uniforms similar to those worn by French Zouaves, and the name had been used by various Louisiana military units that pre-dated the Civil War, the LSU football team was named after the cat (in accordance with custom at the time), not a military unit.
The tiger head symbol came from the Washington Artillery of New Orleans. A militia unit that traces its history back to the 1830s, the Washington Artillery had a logo that featured a snarling tiger's head similar to that which adorns LSU's football helmet.
quote:How The Tigers Got Their Name - Dr. Charles Coates
It was the custom at that time, for some occult reason, to call football teams by the names of vicious animals; the Yale Bulldogs and the Princeton Tigers, for example. This is still the vogue. It struck me that purple and gold looked Tigerish enough and I suggested that we choose "Louisiana Tigers," all in conference with the boys. The Louisiana Tigers had represented the state in Civil War and had been known for their hard fighting.
This name was applied collectively to the New Orleans Zouaves, the Donaldsonville Cannoniers, and to a number of other Louisiana companies sent to Virginia, who seemed to have the faculty of getting into the hardest part of the fighting and staying there, most of them permanently. One company I knew of went in 200 strong; only 28 returned and many of these were wounded.
So, although the LSU football uniform also reminded Coates of the Tiger Rifles and their colorful uniforms similar to those worn by French Zouaves, and the name had been used by various Louisiana military units that pre-dated the Civil War, the LSU football team was named after the cat (in accordance with custom at the time), not a military unit.
The tiger head symbol came from the Washington Artillery of New Orleans. A militia unit that traces its history back to the 1830s, the Washington Artillery had a logo that featured a snarling tiger's head similar to that which adorns LSU's football helmet.
16
Posted on 6/18/20 at 4:45 pm to Salviati
So what is the point of this post?
Posted on 6/18/20 at 4:48 pm to Salviati
(no message)
This post was edited on 4/10/23 at 4:37 am
Posted on 6/18/20 at 4:49 pm to Salviati
Don’t even bring it up. Only gives cancel culture ammo.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 4:51 pm to Dennis4LSU
There seems to be a somewhat accepted notion that the LSU Tigers were named after a Louisiana Civil War unit, and that the Fighting Tiger name might come under attack for that reason.
The "Bengal Tiger" has been the official mascot of Louisiana State University since 1936. The Tigers' first football coach explained in 1937 that the "Tiger" name came from the ferocious animal as was the custom at the time.
The "Bengal Tiger" has been the official mascot of Louisiana State University since 1936. The Tigers' first football coach explained in 1937 that the "Tiger" name came from the ferocious animal as was the custom at the time.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 5:00 pm to Salviati
Seriously thank you for the reply
Posted on 6/18/20 at 5:10 pm to Salviati
Let's just don't remind anyone or we will not be able to use the name any longer.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 5:14 pm to Dennis4LSU
So what is the point of this post?
The point of his post was to show where LSU got its nickname for its athletic teams - 'Tigers.' It was from Dr. Charles Coates, LSU's first football coach, who chose a name he though would (1) be en vogue with the rest of the South choosing names of ferocious animals, as had been the custom in the northeast and Ivy League (where Coates came from), and (2) that LSU's colors of royal purple and old gold (which he also chose from the local store selling Mardi Gras ribbon) would go well with a growling tiger head.
Decades later, at an alumni banquet and through a newspaper interview, he related the above, plus the 'insinuation' that the name came from the Louisiana Tigers regiment who fought in Virginia during the Civil War - a nickname given to them for their ferociousness. But Coates stressed that he wasn't even thinking of that in 1893 - THIRTY YEARS AFTER THE WAR WAS OVER. And he dismissed this notion that some LSU fans naturally assumed was true, but never was.
The point of his post was to show where LSU got its nickname for its athletic teams - 'Tigers.' It was from Dr. Charles Coates, LSU's first football coach, who chose a name he though would (1) be en vogue with the rest of the South choosing names of ferocious animals, as had been the custom in the northeast and Ivy League (where Coates came from), and (2) that LSU's colors of royal purple and old gold (which he also chose from the local store selling Mardi Gras ribbon) would go well with a growling tiger head.
Decades later, at an alumni banquet and through a newspaper interview, he related the above, plus the 'insinuation' that the name came from the Louisiana Tigers regiment who fought in Virginia during the Civil War - a nickname given to them for their ferociousness. But Coates stressed that he wasn't even thinking of that in 1893 - THIRTY YEARS AFTER THE WAR WAS OVER. And he dismissed this notion that some LSU fans naturally assumed was true, but never was.
This post was edited on 6/18/20 at 5:16 pm
Posted on 6/18/20 at 5:18 pm to Salviati
quote:
There seems to be a somewhat accepted notion that the LSU Tigers were named after a Louisiana Civil War unit, and that the Fighting Tiger name might come under attack for that reason.
Here is a quote from Dr, Charles Coates (Advocate article)...."...I suggested that we choose "Louisiana Tigers," all in conference with the boys. The Louisiana Tigers had represented the state in Civil War and had been known for their hard fighting."
Dr. Coates is clearly stating the name "Tigers" came from the Civil War unit, "The Louisiana Tigers." So yes, LSU named its football team (mascot) after a Civil War unit. I am NOT in favor of renaming Middleton Library or anything else on the LSU campus, but we cannot refute where the name came from.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 5:26 pm to Salviati
It could be worse, we could be called the Rebels lol
Posted on 6/18/20 at 5:29 pm to MetryTyger
Thank you for the reply It was a legit question it's an interesting point he brought up.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 6:07 pm to MetryTyger
I’m sure the liberals will get this removed too!!
Posted on 6/18/20 at 6:19 pm to Salviati
A Bulldog is ferocious? 
Certainly not Mississippi State or Georgia
Certainly not Mississippi State or Georgia
Posted on 6/18/20 at 6:35 pm to Salviati
You know, back when people first started making posts about it, I’d go off in every thread and just tell the OP “Don’t bring it up unless you want it gone”
Now, I’m gonna just let the shite play out. Thousands upon thousands of people read this website every day. Think of how many people in that number are intellectually challenged wokebros who have gotten a taste of the power that comes with being able to stomp your feet and have something changed on a whim because “das waisissss.” Now, think about how easily it would be to start a movement that makes a huge fricking deal about our mascot and the ties it has to the confederacy (I realize the whole point of this thread is to educate, you are dealing with people that give cognitive dissonance a whole new meaning)
Every. Single. Time. That someone starts a thread about our mascot, you are begging to have SJW’s and wokebros take a shite on LSU and demand we change it. If that’s cool with you, go ahead. If not, don’t start threads about it.
Now, I’m gonna just let the shite play out. Thousands upon thousands of people read this website every day. Think of how many people in that number are intellectually challenged wokebros who have gotten a taste of the power that comes with being able to stomp your feet and have something changed on a whim because “das waisissss.” Now, think about how easily it would be to start a movement that makes a huge fricking deal about our mascot and the ties it has to the confederacy (I realize the whole point of this thread is to educate, you are dealing with people that give cognitive dissonance a whole new meaning)
Every. Single. Time. That someone starts a thread about our mascot, you are begging to have SJW’s and wokebros take a shite on LSU and demand we change it. If that’s cool with you, go ahead. If not, don’t start threads about it.
This post was edited on 6/18/20 at 6:36 pm
Posted on 6/18/20 at 7:08 pm to Irish LSU Fan
quote:Yeah, what did we miss? The article says it came from the Civil War unit.
Here is a quote from Dr, Charles Coates (Advocate article)...."...I suggested that we choose "Louisiana Tigers," all in conference with the boys. The Louisiana Tigers had represented the state in Civil War and had been known for their hard fighting."
Dr. Coates is clearly stating the name "Tigers" came from the Civil War unit, "The Louisiana Tigers." So yes, LSU named its football team (mascot) after a Civil War unit. I am NOT in favor of renaming Middleton Library or anything else on the LSU campus, but we cannot refute where the name came from.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 7:11 pm to Salviati
They will never change LSUs mascot. We are the fighting tigers of LSU.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 7:37 pm to Big Scrub TX
quote:
Yeah, what did we miss? The article says it came from the Civil War unit.
Because the OP said this...."the LSU football team was named after the cat (in accordance with custom at the time), not a military unit."
Posted on 6/18/20 at 8:44 pm to Irish LSU Fan
quote:bullshite. Read the whole quote, not just the last part.
Here is a quote from Dr, Charles Coates (Advocate article)...."...I suggested that we choose "Louisiana Tigers," all in conference with the boys. The Louisiana Tigers had represented the state in Civil War and had been known for their hard fighting."
Dr. Coates is clearly stating the name "Tigers" came from the Civil War unit, "The Louisiana Tigers." So yes, LSU named its football team (mascot) after a Civil War unit. I am NOT in favor of renaming Middleton Library or anything else on the LSU campus, but we cannot refute where the name came from.
You misquote Dr. Charles Coates by leaving out the relevant, important sentences that precede the portion you quoted from that article:
quote:The part you quote is merely an aside that was a confirming coincidence.
It was the custom at that time, for some occult reason, to call football teams by the names of vicious animals; the Yale Bulldogs and the Princeton Tigers, for example. This is still the vogue. It struck me that purple and gold looked Tigerish enough and I suggested that we choose "Louisiana Tigers," all in conference with the boys. The Louisiana Tigers had represented the state in Civil War and had been known for their hard fighting.
LSU made the official mascot a Bengal Tiger back in 1936.
The man who came up with the idea said that it "was the custom at that time . . . to call football teams by the names of vicious animals."
"It struck me that purple and gold looked Tigerish enough and I suggested that we choose "Louisiana Tigers," all in conference with the boys."
Criteria for mascot: vicious animal
The LSU uniforms looked: "Tigerish"; therefore, the coach and players chose "Tigers."
There was also the confirming coincidence that "The Louisiana Tigers had represented the state in Civil War and had been known for their hard fighting," but that was not part of the criteria. They merely had the same monicker.
Posted on 6/18/20 at 9:13 pm to Salviati
...
This post was edited on 6/19/20 at 6:45 am
Posted on 6/18/20 at 9:42 pm to Salviati
I'm just glad that the circular vicious Tiger face logo has become more popular. Hopefully the large font LSU in the end zone also makes a comeback.
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