Today, February 24, FHSU’s beloved mascot, Victor E. Tiger, turns 23 years old! We’re celebrating Victor E.’s big day with five little-known facts that may surprise even his biggest fans.
1. Before 2000, the Tiger mascot was nameless
That’s right! When FHSU’s 8th President Edward Hammond began considering an update to the University’s mascot, the Tiger was nameless. Many iterations of the Tiger have come and gone since its first appearance in 1914, including eight official and six unofficial versions of the mascot. When art director Mary Ridgeway created the Tiger logo in late 1999, students voted to name the mascot officially. Thus, Victor E. Tiger was born in early 2000 at the dawn of the new millennia.
2. FHSU Alumni donated the first Victor E. mascot suit!
Donations from alumni helped purchase the new Victor E. Tiger mascot suit, but the largest portion of this funding came from Larry Dreiling, ’80, ’80, and ’85, who played the mascot while he was a student at FHSU.
3. Until 2009, the Tiger did not accompany the Fort Hays State logo
Before Victor E. accompanied the university logo, other versions included plain text, a crest, a pillar, or a torch. Older versions can be seen here.
4. No one’s sure how the Tiger became associated with FHSU, but they suspect its creation began with President W.A. Lewis
During one of FHSU’s basketball games in 1914, a Tiger patch was sewn onto an old-gold uniform. President Lewis enjoyed the symbol and named the university sports teams the Black and Gold Tigers within a year.
Read more about the Tiger’s origin in the Winter 2022 edition of ROAR Magazine!
5. Wearing Tiger Gear on Friday #TGOF can snag you a discount!
The new and more inclusive Tiger Gear on Friday campaign helps show Tiger Pride and the unification of the campus and Hays community. Fort Hays State and several local businesses have partnered to offer exclusive deals to those donning Tiger Gear on Fridays. Find a list of TGOF partners and retailers here!
Victor E.’s birthday falls on a Friday this year, so you can show your Tiger Spirit and celebrate his birthday by wearing your Tiger Gear! Or, buy some new Tiger Gear in honor of Victor E.’s big day at Victor E. Apparel & Gift Co. online or on-campus in the Memorial Union!
Want to show your Tiger Pride every day on the road? Consider purchasing a Tiger Tag! All FHSU fans from Kansas are eligible to apply for the conversation starting tags.