Collection on Spirit (Tiger)

In 1963, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) purchased a live Bengal tiger cub to serve as its mascot. The idea came from a group of students who proposed the purchase to the Director of Student Activities, A. Stephen Walls. The university's moniker had changed from the "Techmen" to the "Tigers" in 1955 following an undefeated basketball season. It was felt that this new name better represented the competitiveness of the RIT sports program.

The Tiger Committee, the group responsible for bringing the tiger to RIT, was composed of several students including Jim Black, Denis Kitchen, Roger Kramer, Francis "Skip" Millor, and David Page. Walls contacted Lou DiSabato, Director of the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, N.Y., on behalf of the students to find out how to go about purchasing a live tiger. DiSabato directed Walls to a broker who was able to arrange for the transfer of a tiger from the Dallas,Texas Zoo.

The cost for the tiger cub was $1,000. The Tiger Committee instituted a clever scheme to cover the cost. They began selling "stock" in the tiger, allowing interested parties to purchase a piece of "school spirit and tradition" for $1.00 per share. In the meantime, the committee borrowed $1,000 from the Student Council to cover the initial layout.

Tora, as the Tiger was originally called, arrived in Rochester, NY on October 18, 1963 on an American Airlines flight. The two-month old cub was greeted by an entourage of over 50 people. Since only licensed facilities were legally allowed to keep tiger cubs, Tora was transported to the Seneca Park Zoo. In exchange for boarding the animal, the zoo was promised the first male cub that the tiger produced. Over the next few weeks, the Tiger Committee visited the zoo during closed hours to acquaint themselves with the cub.

The cub soon began making appearances at various RIT events, such as basketball and hockey games. A contest was offered to rename the tiger. The name "Spirit" was selected, standing for "Student Pride in RIT." Various individuals worked with the cub, particularly those involved in the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. Spirit became an important part of the RIT community and was well-liked by students and administrators alike. Unfortunately, as Spirit grew, the insurance company refused to cover the risk of having a live tiger on campus. After four months of making appearances at RIT events, Spirit stopped visiting the campus, remaining in the Seneca Park Zoo.

Spirit also appeared to have a calcium deficiency. The zoo treated the condition, helping to harden the tiger's bones. It was then discovered that Spirit actually suffered from a genetic defect that caused his pelvic bones to constrict. Unable to eliminate bodily waste, the tiger was in pain. On September 28, 1964, members of the Tiger Committee visited Spirit for the last time before he was euthanized. Spirit's body was turned over to a taxidermist who prepared his skin to be preserved for eternity. That pelt is now kept in the RIT Archives.

After Spirit's untimely death, members of the original Tiger Committee convinced the Student Council and Alumni Affairs to split the cost of another live tiger. Spirit II, born February 2, 1963, was transported from Madison, WI to the Seneca Park Zoo. Unlike the original Spirit, Spirit II was too large to safely leave the zoo. This tiger was the university's last live mascot.