Kristian Ferrell
The University of Memphis men's basketball team, also known as the Memphis Tigers, has had a live Bengal tiger named TOM as its mascot since 1972. The name TOM stands for Tigers Of Memphis and was chosen from over 2,500 entries in a naming contest. The most recent TOM, TOM III, passed away in 2020 at the age of 12. The University of Memphis was one of two universities in the US that used a live tiger as a mascot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | TOM (Tigers Of Memphis) |
| Species | Bengal Tiger |
| Number of mascots with the same name | 3 |
| First appearance | 1972 |
| Weight | Over 600 pounds |
| Last appearance | 2020 |
| Cause of death | N/A |
| Date of death | 18 September 2020 |
| Age at death | 12 years |
| Other names | TOM I, TOM II, TOM III |
| Costumed mascot | Pouncer |
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What You'll Learn
The first Memphis Tigers mascot, TOM, was named in 1972
The University of Memphis, located in Memphis, Tennessee, has had three Bengal tigers as its mascots, all named TOM, which stands for Tigers Of Memphis. The first Memphis Tigers mascot, TOM, was named in 1972. Over 2,500 entries were submitted to a naming contest, and the winning entry was submitted by Mrs. Lauraine Huddleston of Memphis. TOM was initially named Shane by the breeder's daughter.
TOM was housed in the garage of Highland Hundred member Bill Proctor when he first arrived in Memphis. He was later moved to the Memphis Zoo and placed under the care of trainer Louie Bell. TOM grew to weigh over 600 pounds, becoming one of the largest documented captive Bengal tigers. TOM served as the mascot for nearly 20 years until he passed away in February 1992.
The Highland Hundred, a football booster club, decided to continue the Tiger Tradition by introducing a new tiger, TOM II, as the next mascot. TOM II was presented to the university by the Atchison family of Florence, Alabama, in a ceremony on November 16, 1991. TOM II served as the mascot for 17 years until he passed away on October 18, 2008, at the age of 17.
Following the death of TOM II, the university began searching for a new tiger to serve as TOM III. They were offered a young tiger cub from the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center in Rock Springs, Wisconsin. TOM III became the beloved mascot of the University of Memphis and was present during some of the university's most successful athletic achievements. TOM III passed away on September 18, 2020, less than three weeks after his 12th birthday.
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TOM III was the last live mascot
The University of Memphis, whose athletic teams are called the Memphis Tigers, has had a Bengal tiger named TOM as its mascot since 1972. TOM is an acronym for Tigers Of Memphis. The first TOM served the university for almost 20 years until he passed away in February 1992. The second TOM, or TOM II, was gifted to the university by Tom and Carolyn Atchison of Florence, Alabama, in 1991. He served the university for 17 years until he passed away on October 18, 2008, of cancer.
TOM III was the third and last live Bengal tiger mascot of the University of Memphis. He was born on August 31, 2008, at the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center in Rock Springs, Wisconsin, to Vixie and Thor. TOM III was donated to the university by the rescue center's founders, Jeff Kozlowski and Jenny Meyer, after the unexpected death of TOM II.
TOM III lived a plush life at the university, travelling in a custom-designed, climate-controlled trailer and always having a sheriff patrol escort. He was housed and cared for by the Tiger Guard, a committee of the Highland Hundred football booster club, and no university funds were used to provide for his needs.
TOM III was present at all Tigers' football home games and other university events, and was a beloved part of the university and its athletics history. He passed away on September 18, 2020, less than three weeks after his 12th birthday.
The university also has a costumed mascot called Pouncer, who is responsible for performing various skits and stunts at games and community functions.
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TOM III died in 2020
The University of Memphis, located in Memphis, Tennessee, has had a Bengal tiger named TOM as its mascot since 1972. TOM is an acronym for Tigers Of Memphis, which was chosen from over 2,500 entries submitted in a naming contest. The most recent mascot, TOM III, passed away on September 18, 2020, less than three weeks after his 12th birthday.
TOM III was born on August 31, 2008, at the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center in Rock Springs, Wisconsin. He was the result of an unexpected pregnancy and was donated to the University of Memphis by the center's founders, Jeff Kozlowski and Jenny Meyer. TOM III served as the mascot during one of its most glorious periods in athletics history. He attended all Tigers football home games and was present at other University events, travelling in a custom-designed, climate-controlled trailer with a sheriff patrol escort.
TOM III was the third Bengal tiger to serve as the University of Memphis mascot, following in the footsteps of TOM and TOM II. The tradition of having a live tiger mascot began in 1972 when the first TOM was acquired by the Highland Hundred boosters. TOM served the University of Memphis for nearly 20 years until his passing in February 1992. The Highland Hundred then decided to continue the tradition by acquiring TOM II, who served the University proudly for 17 years until his death on October 15, 2008.
The passing of TOM III marked the end of the University of Memphis' tradition of having a live tiger mascot. While the University faced pressure from animal welfare organizations and PETA to cease using a live mascot, TOM III was beloved by the University community and brought joy to many. He was housed and cared for by the Tiger Guard, a committee of the Highland Hundred football booster club, and received phenomenal care.
The University of Memphis also has a costumed mascot named Pouncer, who performs various skits and stunts at basketball courts and other University events. Pouncer is responsible for entertaining fans and creating a lively atmosphere at games.
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The costumed mascot is called Pouncer
The University of Memphis has a rich history of athletic excellence, with its teams known as the Memphis Tigers. The Tigers' football team has a beloved costumed mascot named Pouncer, who is a regular fixture on the sidelines and at basketball games. Pouncer is not just any character but a symbol of the university's spirit and pride.
Pouncer, the costumed mascot, embodies the energy and enthusiasm of the Memphis Tigers. He is known for his lively skits and stunts performed during game days and community events. The selection process for Pouncer is rigorous, with candidates undergoing group training sessions, interviews, and self-prepared skits. They are evaluated based on their performance skills, creativity, and enthusiasm.
Pouncer's role extends beyond entertainment. He is an ambassador for the University of Memphis, attending all home football and basketball games, as well as select volleyball and baseball games. Pouncer's presence is not limited to the university, as he also travels to tournament games and away football games, spreading school spirit far and wide.
The University of Memphis has had a live tiger mascot tradition since 1972, with TOM (Tigers Of Memphis) being the name of three Bengal tigers that have served as mascots. Each TOM has left an indelible mark on the university's history, with TOM III being the last live tiger mascot before the university decided to transition to a costumed mascot.
While the live tiger mascots were a memorable part of the university's tradition, the care and well-being of these majestic animals became a growing concern. With the passing of TOM III in 2020, the university found itself at a crossroads, opting to continue the legacy of its tiger mascot through the costumed Pouncer.
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PETA pressured the University to stop using a live mascot
The University of Memphis, whose men's basketball team is represented by the mascot "Pouncer", has a long history of using live tigers as mascots for its football team. The tradition began in 1972 with TOM, an acronym for Tigers Of Memphis, a 600-pound Bengal tiger. The university was one of two in the United States to use a live tiger as a mascot, with TOM III being the last live tiger to do so.
TOM III, born on August 31, 2008, served as the mascot for the University of Memphis during one of its most successful periods in athletics history. He passed away on September 18, 2020, less than three weeks after his 12th birthday. The University received criticism from animal welfare organizations, including PETA, which pressured the University to stop using a live mascot.
TOM III was housed and cared for by the Tiger Guard, a committee of the Highland Hundred football booster club, and did not rely on university funds. He lived in a compound and travelled in style to games in a custom-designed, climate-controlled trailer with a sheriff patrol escort.
The tradition of live tiger mascots at the University of Memphis began with TOM, who was procured by the Highland Hundred boosters in 1972 and served for nearly 20 years until his passing in February 1992. The Highland Hundred then decided to continue the tradition by acquiring TOM II, who served the university proudly for 17 years until his death in 2008.
After the passing of TOM II, the Tiger Guard began the search for a new tiger to serve as TOM III. They were offered a young tiger cub from the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center in Rock Springs, Wisconsin, which had three new cubs due to an unexpected pregnancy. TOM III was beloved by the University and brought joy to many, but the use of live mascots had become increasingly controversial, with PETA pressuring the University to end the practice.
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Frequently asked questions
The mascot for the Memphis men's basketball team is called Pouncer.
The University of Memphis has had three Bengal tiger mascots called TOM (Tigers Of Memphis) since 1972. The most recent, TOM III, passed away on September 18, 2020. The university also has a costumed mascot called Pouncer.
The University of Memphis was one of two universities in the US that used a live tiger as a mascot. They received criticism from animal welfare organizations and PETA for doing so.
No, the University of Memphis has not replaced TOM III. In fact, there is speculation that they will not replace him.
