The University of West Alabama’s beloved Luie the Tiger serves to rally supporters and inspire school spirit at every sporting event, academic function or community get-together he attends.

Though the University of West Alabama’s name has changed over the years, the tiger tradition has held strong as a staple of the college’s rich and spirited history.

In 1938, a Sumter County newspaper, Our Southern Home, came up with a tiger-themed nickname when it dubbed the then Livingston State Teachers College men’s basketball team as the “Rambling Tigers.” This was the same year the university became a part of the Alabama Intercollegiate Conference.

On Oct. 21, 1938, the tiger mascot was introduced and approved by alumni at the school’s first homecoming.

The school became Livingston University in 1968. Throughout the 1970s, the tiger mascot was known to walk through the initials “L.U.” at sporting events.

In 1985, the tiger mascot was given a makeover, and the mascot was named “LUie”—a nod to the school’s L.U. initials. Then, in 1995, Livingston University became the University of West Alabama, and the college’s tiger-themed logos were redesigned again.

Today, the tiger still symbolizes the university’s successes in both academics and athletics and serves as a furry, striped figurehead for the UWA fan base—continuing what is now a near 80-year tradition.

Whether you take classes on campus or online, as a UWA student, you will play a part in shaping the school’s future and paving the way for future generations of students. Want to join us? UWA Online is launching its all-new continuing education program starting Jan. 9, 2017! Contact us today to learn how you can enroll. Call us at 205-652-5110 or email us at [email protected]. #LuieTheTiger #TigerMascot #UWAHistory #ContinuingEducation #UWA #UWAOnline