In the recent news of LSU live mascot Mike VI being diagnosed with a rare type of cancer with a spindle cell sarcoma. I wanted to look back on last five Mike the Tigers and the history that came with it.

MIKE I (1936-1956)

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The idea that changed campus life around Baton Rouge, LA was thought of by four people around Louisiana State University.the Athletic Director trainer Mike Chambers, Athletic Director T.P. Heard, swimming pool manager and intramural swimming coach William G. Higginbottom, and law student Ed Laborde. These four men had the idea get every student to donate 25 cents and raised $750 to buy a one year old tiger named Sheik from the Little Rock Zoo.

Sheik had his name changed to Mike in honor of the man,Mike Chambers, who made it possible for him to come live in Baton Rouge. On October 21,1936 Mike began his role almost immediately after getting settled in his new home. Mike would travel and serve as the new LSU mascot for nearly 20 years. Mike I passed away June 29,1956 with a complication with kidney disease.

MIKE II (1956-1958)

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Just a couple days after the death of Mike I, state representatives from around the state of Louisiana pushed to make legislation to purchase another tiger to be named "Mike II'. Student fundraising and support from the leadership of LSU eventually purchased Mike II.

On February 28,1956 Mike II was born and was selected because his paws were much larger than any other cub. He arrived on LSU September 29th, which was on opening day of college football season.

However, there was a lot of mystery that came along with Mike II. People say that Mike II died at the age of eight months due to pneumonia, which happened to be during a six game losing streak by the Tigers, then they go on to say that he was buried under a tree along the Mississippi river. The school recorded issuing a statement saying Mike II was having trouble adjusting to captivity and he was staying inside until he was comfortable enough to go outside into his habitat. Anyway if Mike II was replaced by another tiger or not, he died on May 15,1958 with several broken bones in his back leg.

MIKE III (1958-1976)

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Mike III was born on November 26,1957 and was introduced on opening day of the 1958 season. He traveled to most away game, like the other former feline representatives, he was the mascot who had a "trigger word" to make him to give out a deafening roar. The phrase was simply "Get em' Mike" and is the only known tiger to have a verbal cue to roar on command.

During Mike III eighteen years at LSU he witnessed Billy Cannon run his way to a Heisman Trophy in 1959 and for LSU to win the National Championship (1958) in his first year in Baton Rouge. LSU won three SEC championships in 1958,1961,and 1970. After LSU had their only losing season during Mike III reign on campus he died of Pneumonia on AUgust 12,1976.

MIKE IV (1976-1990)

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Mike IV was donated to LSU from August A. Busch III from Busch Gardens in Florida. When Mike IV got to LSU he was 450 pounds at the age of two. Mike IV was so much bigger than the past three tigers to live behind Tiger Stadium that LSU had to expand his four hundred square feet caged home to eleven hundred square feet habitat including a pool for the massive cat.

Mike IV is the only tiger to escape and be set free on the LSU campus by some kids who thought they should cut the locks of the outter and inner doors to release the 450 pound tiger. He was finally tranquilized inside the Bernie Moore Track Stadium and returned back into his home.

Mike IV was the king of campus for fourteen years and then was put into the local zoo in 1990 and then passed away on March 3, 1995.

MIKE V

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Mike V was born on October 19,1989 and given to LSU by the Animal House Zoological park in Alabama. Mikes first appearance was at a basketball game against Alabama in 1990.

With Mike V arriving at LSU new equipment came along with it. His trailer which he traveled in was so broken down from 40 years, a new trailer was donated and the design of the trailer is still used to day. Also, thanks to the "I like MIke" campaign a new and improved habitat was built and Mike was finally moved in August 2005. Mike V lived his last two years in the beautiful new habitat and had such great care from the Vet students at LSU. Mike was around for twenty-three track and field championships,five baseball championships, and one football championships before he died on May 18,2007.

MIKE VI (2007-Current)

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Mike VI was born July 23, 2005 but came to LSU to be the mascot when he was two years old. He was donated to LSU by a non profit sanctuary and rescue facility from Indiana. His first football appearance was LSU vs Florida on October 6, 2007 when Jacob Hester ran in the game winning touchdown. Mike is known as the best mascot yet with his manner of life and his personality.

Mike VI was just as big or even some what bigger than Mike IV weighing in at a massive 500 pounds. Mike consumes 25 pounds of meat a day and close to 200 pounds a week. Every game day Mike eats his meals in the shape of his opponents. Mike has been known to have great relationships with his caretakers. Its a sad day to find out about his diagnosis for this big ole ball of fur. GEAUX TIGERS!