For Christmas of 2014, I was giving the Tiger mask by wife as gift to a Tiger fan that already had everything Tigers. The first time I wore the mask was to the 2015 Ole Miss game in which we were major underdogs. After being ridiculed heavily by Ole Miss fans as I walked across the parking lot to go into the game, we pulled off a huge upset. I vowed that day to make the Mask a piece of my game day attire, and the Ultimate Tiger was born. 

I am asked often about the kilt. Here is the background: my wife’s family has been involved in Scottish heritage events for many years so I was introduced after our marriage. After I started wearing the mask, I would always add something new to my attire each game, and I would get asked my fans what I was going to do next game to up it. This had me always thinking. One day it hit me as someone was talking about the Highland Hundred, the official football booster club of the University of Memphis. I know that Highland being in their name had nothing to do with Scotland, but it did inspire the Highlander imagery in my mind; thus, the kilt was worn. The response I received from fellow Tiger fans was amazing , and I have worn the kilt since the end of the 2018 season. 

Another part of the Ultimate Tiger fandom is Tiger Claws. With the help of my wife’s creativity, we created a blue Santa outfit with a Tiger theme. This has been a fun outfit to wear around the Christmas season to spread Tiger spirit for all the kids and young at heart.