Roaring with Pride at 75

Jan. 23, 2024

Michelle R. Eubanks , UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392
Ella G. Stephenson , at estephenson5@una.edu

On January 19, the institution marked the 75th anniversary of the 江南体育 student mascot, Leo the Lion. It’s an anniversary that takes place just after the University commemorates 194 years as the state’s oldest public four-institution. 

Then, as it is now, the idea of a student mascot was founded on excitement – excitement to cheer on the mighty lions to victory on the gridiron, the court, or the field. The men and women who donned the costume, often under the cloak of full anonymity, did so out of one common trait – their love for the University and celebrating the experience of being at a game.  

Often, there is dancing, acrobatics, cheering, and mingling with the crowds. Selfies are a new addition, of course, as are the latest dance moves and multiple sports at which the mascots appear. Still, it remains rooted in tradition, and the student mascots of today understand just how important this history is to the University. 

When Leo was created, UNA was known as Florence State Teacher’s College. In 1949, the Leo mascot was created as a cartoon, ‘Leo the FSTC Lion,’ and was published on the front page of the Flor-Ala on Jan. 19 of that same year. Leo’s creation was attributed to a freshman at the time, Bobby Mitchell, who is rumored to have taken Leo’s name from his Latin dictionary as it means ‘lion.’ (Students have always been resourceful, and this proves it.) 

Despite the creation of the mascot, it would