Lee Roy Roars no More

Lee Roy II may have been the last live tiger on campus, but there were attempts to find a replacement in subsequent years. Beta Beta Beta, a biology honor society, was in contact with the San Antonio Zoo about a possible adoption in 1985 (Kerr, 1985). They had two proposals for their acquisition. The first plan, which would have cost $1,000, was the adoption of a tiger from the San Antonio Zoo. The tiger would have likely remained permanently at the zoo, however, and would not have made appearances on campus.  The second proposal was an $8,000 undertaking in which a freshman biology major would have purchased the tiger itself, with the students and their faculty advisor being responsible for organizing housing and care of the animal. The program was supported by many students, who believed that the mascot would help to improve school spirit as Lee Roy had in the 1950’s. Despite the support, the project was ultimately abandoned due to concerns about the ethics over the use of animals and the risks incurred.

Immediately following Lee Roy’s retirement, the shoes of Trinity’s new costumed mascot were filled by the university’s cheerleaders. Eventually, mascot tryouts began occurring annually, coinciding with those of the cheer squad. While the costume has undergone various redesigns and those that first donned the costume have long since graduated, this new period of Lee Roy’s legacy continues to embody the fighting spirit that the tiger came to represent. The mascot became more than a fixture displayed at athletic events; a costume allowed Lee Roy to interact directly with fans in a more personal way, and to make mobile appearances on campus and in San Antonio without the risks associated with a live animal. By connecting with new audiences, this new iteration of Trinity’s mascot was able to expand on the role in which Lee Roy had originally served, continuing to represent the university.