Items14The creator’s order
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Ralphie the BuffaloColorado had a live bison on the sideline in 1966. In 1967, Ralphie began leading the football team onto the field. The bison’s student handlers have jobs away from the stadium too. The university describes daily care at a ranch with grazing pastures, a bison companion, and veterinary visits.0 - 2
Mike the TigerMike I arrived at LSU in 1936. The athletic department originally looked after the tiger, and LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine took over that responsibility in 1976. The tradition includes a permanent campus habitat, and the tiger pictured is Mike VII.0 - 3
Uga (mascot)The Seiler family’s white English bulldog began Georgia’s Uga line in 1956. Each successor gets his own name and a tailored jersey. At Sanford Stadium, Georgia installed an air-conditioned doghouse to give Uga a place to retreat in the heat. The pictured dog is Uga XI, known as Boom.0 - 4
Auburn’s War EaglesAuburn’s football teams are the Tigers, but the eagle flight became its own game-day tradition. Tiger, a golden eagle, made the first modern stadium flight in 2000, from an end zone toward midfield. Staff at Auburn’s Raptor Center care for and train the birds. The pictured eagle is Aurea.0 - 5
Bevo (mascot)A live Texas Longhorn steer appeared at the Thanksgiving Day football game against Texas A&M in 1916. Over the generations, the steer became a regular presence at big games. The Silver Spurs student organization took on Bevo’s care and transportation. The photograph shows Bevo XV.0 - 6
Reveille (dog)Texas A&M traces Reveille to a dog taken in by cadets in 1931. A collie later became the familiar face of the tradition. Beginning in 1960, care was assigned to a mascot corporal in the Corps of Cadets. The dog lived with that student, so Reveille’s daily routine could include going to class.0 - 7
Smokey (Tennessee mascot)In 1953, Tennessee held a halftime contest for a hound mascot. Brooks’ Blue Smokey barked and won over the crowd. The name has passed to later bluetick coonhounds. For Smokey XII, pictured here, the veterinary school documented reward-based preparation and monitored how he handled crowds.0 - 8
Rameses (mascot)In 1924, a UNC cheerleader proposed a live ram as a mascot, drawing on a football player nicknamed the Battering Ram. The Hogan family cared for the rams for generations. Carolina’s historical account describes a game-day ritual of brushing the ram and painting his horns Carolina blue.0 - 9
Bill the GoatNavy’s live goat tradition was established by the 1899 Army–Navy game, when Army brought a mule as its counterpart. Later goats inherited the name Bill and appeared at football games and academy events. The academy formalized the live mascot’s care and appearances through a group called Team Bill.0 - 10
Army MulesAn ice-wagon mule stood in as Army’s mascot for the 1899 game against Navy. Later West Point put cadets, along with staff, in charge of the animals. When Ranger III and Stryker made their debut in 2011, the Army reported that a veterinarian who had previously owned them helped prepare the pair for…0
