The LSU mascot, Mike the Tiger, is a royal Bengal tiger. The mascot comes from the school nickname, which is drawn from the legendary Confederate battalion—Robert E. Lee’s Louisiana Tigers. This legendary group was so fierce during battle that even fellow Confederate troops were loath to fight alongside it. In fall 1896 Coach A. W. Jeardeau’s team had a perfect 6-0 record and adopted the “Tigers” name for itself.