BATON ROUGE, LA – LSU President Wade Rousse announced a new campus policy Tuesday evening requiring all visiting tiger mascots to bear at least a reasonable resemblance to an actual tiger.
The rule, which conveniently takes effect before Clemson visits Baton Rouge this weekend, establishes minimum standards for facial structure, general appearance and the ability to be immediately identified as a tiger without additional explanation.
“This has nothing to do with Clemson,” Rousse said. “We simply believe that if you’re going to represent a tiger, people should be able to look at you and confidently say, ‘That’s a tiger.’”
Visiting mascots failing the initial visual inspection may be required to provide documentation confirming what animal they are supposed to represent.
Clemson officials reportedly questioned the timing of the new policy, particularly a provision requiring both mascot eyes to appear focused on roughly the same event.
LSU officials denied targeting Clemson.
“We welcome all Tigers,” Rousse added. “We just have standards.”
