* Early Days: The university's first mascot was a "Tiger" the dog, a small black-and-tan terrier owned by the coach in 1911. This was due to the school's newspaper, the "Clemson Tiger", which was named after a nearby waterfall called "Tigertown Falls".
* The Mascot's Change: The "Tiger" the dog was replaced by a live tiger brought in for a game in 1914. This sparked a tradition of using live tigers, which eventually became a huge safety hazard.
* The Evolution: The live tiger was finally replaced by a costumed mascot in 1935. It was initially a man dressed as a tiger, and over the years, the costume and the mascot's design have evolved into the recognizable orange and white "Tiger Paw" we know today.
While the "Tigertown Falls" theory is widely accepted, there's also speculation about the mascot being inspired by the "Tiger" the dog. Regardless of the exact origin, Clemson University's mascot has a history of being associated with tigers, and the fierce and strong image of the tiger aligns well with the school's spirit and athletic prowess.