“I sought to infuse the work with the qualities of strength, courage and grace so evident in the living animal. The tiger is perhaps nature’s most awe-inspiring blend of raw power and feline grace, the embodiment of courage and intelligent cunning.” - G.H. Hale’s sculpture proposal
While Trinity may not have a living, breathing Tiger mascot anymore, the spirit of the animal lives on in a giant, bronze Bengal tiger statue situated in front of the Bell Athletic Center.
The statue, named LeeRoy, was donated by the Chapman Trusts. The request for the statue was brought to the administration in the late 1990s by the Association of Student Representatives, initiated by students who wanted to build community and school spirit, especially with the recent revitalization of Trinity’s athletics programs during that same time period.
“And the Tiger Statue will look pretty dang cool, too. I mean, it’s going to be a big tiger. A huge cat that could devour any random Trinity student in about 30 seconds, assuming it could fit an Organic Chemistry book in its jaws.” - Leif Olson, Trinitonian September 1997
Sculpted by G.H. Hale and mounted on a granite base, the statue was unveiled in spring 1999. The nine-foot tiger is one-and-a-half times life size, depicted as perching atop a tree branch. Along with acting as a spirited piece of art on campus, the statue doubles as a good luck charm—students rub his nose to bring good luck to athletics teams.
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