A Replacement is Found

In September 1962, the heir to the tiger’s domain was introduced to the Trinity community. Lee Roy II, the one-year-old cub of the original Lee Roy, would follow in his father’s footsteps, living at the San Antonio Zoo and making official appearances for the university (Trinitonian, 1962). Though the spirits of the students were always high at football games, their energy was rarely matched by the new mascot. When taken around the field, Lee Roy II would rarely move from where he was laying, and preferred to be left in his habitat at the zoo. Though Lee Roy II would remain the official mascot until 1973, in the final years other tigers would attend games in his place. Lee Roy’s final appearance would be in the 1973 season. On the tiger’s retirement, San Antonio Zoo Director De Sabato explained, “Tigers are generally an endangered species and we didn’t think it was right to send him to any more games” (Trinitonian, 1976). After his retirement, Lee Roy II would remain at the San Antonio Zoo for the remainder of his life.