Mr. Tiger was born and raised in Portland. Ore. As a child he got involved in athletic activities at a young age. From the third to the eighth grade, he played quarterback for the Catholic Youth Football Organization.While attending Roosevelt High School in Portland, he lettered in: basketball, football, baseball and wrestling and was also the school mascot, which was a Ruff Ryder. As an adolescent, one of his biggest mentors and role models was former University of Oregon standout quarterback Joey Harrington.
Harrington taught him teamwork, leadership and the saying, “The weakest link should be your strongest link.”
Mr. Tiger was inspired to be a mascot because he wanted to support and encourage the team and being the mascot was a way to make this come true.
“If I can run up and down the court, I can keep the crowd hype.” said Mr. Tiger, “My job is complete.”
He thinks of his job as a privilege and takes a great deal of pride in it.
According to him, there are three tasks that come with being the school’s mascot: You must attend community events, support all athletic teams and always keep the crowd excited and on their feet.
Being the school mascot has its perks and downfalls. On the good side: He gets to do something that he loves and can go anywhere on the court or field. He gets to travel with the team for free and interact with all types of people from different walks of life.
He also gets free souvenirs. But the worst part about his job is that sometimes the suit he wears can overheat him at times. Also, children pull his tail.
When he hangs the mascot suit up, he plans to get his degree in education and pursue being a science or math teacher. He also expressed interest in being a coach.
Until that day comes, Mr. Tiger will continue hyping up the crowd and enjoying what he does.