Truman the Tiger
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The nickname "Tigers," given to Mizzou's athletic teams, traces its origin to the Civil War period. At that time, plundering guerilla bands habitually raided small towns, and Columbia people constantly feared an attack. Such organizations as temporary "home guards" and vigilance companies banded together to fight off any possible forays.
The town's preparedness discouraged any guerilla activity and the protecting organization began to disband in 1854. However, it was rumored that a guerilla band, led by the notorious Bill Anderson, intended to sack the town. Quickly organized was an armed guard of Columbia citizens, who built a blockhouse and fortified the old courthouse in the center of town. This company was called "The Missouri Tigers."
The marauders never came. The reputation of the intrepid "Tigers" presumably traveled abroad, and Anderson's gang detoured around Columbia.
Soon after Missouri's first football team was organized in 1890, the athletic committee adopted the nickname "Tiger" in official recognition of those Civil War defenders. Their spirit is now embodied in the MU mascot - "Truman the Tiger." The Tiger was named Truman in 1984 because of a contest held by the cheerleaders. Previously MU had two mascots, a male and a female, but neither had an identity.
This contest was held on campus, over a period of a few weeks, to develop a name for the Tiger mascot. The winner, a student, submitted the name Truman (after Missouri-bred President of the United States Harry S Truman). The name stuck and has been popular ever since.
In 1986, the Tiger mascot design caricature, image, material, and color was in need of an upgrade. Jack Lengyel, Dick Tamburo, and Joe Castiglione sought a way to improve the overall personality of our mascot, Truman.
A design was submitted to the manufacturer for production. (Some financial help was provided by local restuaranteur Dick Walls.) The new mascot made its first appearance at the Missouri-Utah State football game in 1986.
The Truman character has continued to reach new levels of popularity. Truman makes over 35 appearances a month including all Mizzou football and basketball games, other athletic events, hospitals, civic functions, schools, businesses, etc.
Truman was acclaimed the "Best Mascot in the Nation" in 2004, and repeated the honor in 2014.
