Football season is just around the corner, but the University’s famous live mascot TOM III has a reason to celebrate early — his seventh birthday was Monday.
TOM, which stands for Tigers Of Memphis, is one of two live tiger mascots in all of college sports, the other being Mike the Tiger at LSU.
Micah Turner, 20, criminal justice sophomore remembers seeing TOM II at the football games as a child.
“I remember going to games as a kid and seeing TOM II at the games,” Turner said. “I thought that was the coolest thing ever, and I still think it’s really awesome. Having a live tiger is something that we can say we have and most schools don’t.”
TOM the tiger has been a symbol of Memphis Tiger pride since 1972 when TOM I was purchased by the Highland Hundred Football Boosters. TOM I was introduced to the University in a ceremony on Nov. 11, 1972 during a football game against Cincinnati. TOM I attended all the home football games until Nov. 16, 1991 when TOM II was introduced, replacing the 19-year-old TOM I, according to the Highland Hundred website.
TOM II served has Memphis’ live mascot until he was diagnosed with cancer and died at the age of 17 on Oct. 15, 2008. TOM III, the current live mascot, came to Memphis as a 16 pound, 7-week-old cub on Oct. 23, 2008. TOM III was born at the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue and Educational Center, where his parents and two brothers are still alive.
TOM III, now 450 pounds, has been cared for since he got to Memphis by Scott Forman, who took over as Chairman of Tiger Guard, which is part of the booster club who pays for and takes care of the TOMs, when TOM II died. Forman, a banker by day and TOM III’s keeper by night, is a graduate from the University of Memphis.
“It’s a special privilege to be able to work with TOM,” Forman said. “Memphis may not have as many traditions as bigger universities, but having a live tiger is something people take pride in. I also love being able to give something back to my University.”
Being able to work with TOM III every day is a dream come true for Forman.
“My whole life I wanted to work with TOM,” Forman said. “Since I was a kid and I saw TOM I, I was enthralled with him. Working with Tom is truly my passion and I love it. I don’t have any children, so TOM III really is my child and I treat him that way.”
Even though Forman volunteers his time, he would not trade it for the world, he said. The opportunity to “have a close relationship with such a powerful and majestic animal” is what Forman said he loves the most about working with TOM III.
TOM III’s behavior is just like a house cat, Forman said. He loves to sleep, eat, play with his toys, lay around and swim in either of his two pools.
“He eats 10 pounds of beef and sleeps 18 to 20 hours a day,” Forman said. “Since it’s his birthday he will get a special beef cake.”
TOM III attends all the home football games as well as a few other University and community events throughout the year. Forman also takes TOM III to schools to do educational features with school children. He usually makes 12 trips throughout the year, including the home games.
Holton Bowling, 21, political science junior, is a little jealous of TOM III’s cushy life.
“He’s living the good life,” Bowling said. “That’s life any college student would love to live. Sleep most of the day and only leave the house 12 times a year. I’m all for that.”
