The Tiger Nickname
University of the Pacific first adopted the tiger as its mascot in the fall of 1908, when rugby replaced football at Pacific.
The nickname evolved because the uniform jerseys and socks were black with orange stripes, making the team members look like tigers.
They chose these uniforms because it made it easier for the players to identify their fellow teammates on the field.
Although "Tigers" had not been officially designated by university by-laws as an official mascot, by 1914 the term was used in student and local newspapers to describe all of Pacific's athletic teams.
"Tigers" was made the official college mascot in the 1925 Associated Student Constitution.
