By TISA MASON
FHSU President
You can usually find him holding court in Gross Memorial Coliseum and the Max Jones Fieldhouse at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest in Goodland and roaming the campus of Fort Hays Tech | North Central. He’s Victor E. Tiger, our beloved mascot, and right now, he is looking forward to his 25th birthday bash at the Tiger’s basketball game on February 22.
Sharing his birthday with fans and students is a joy for Victor E. He treasures the heartfelt birthday cards he receives, especially frames decorated by young fans featuring their picture with him. The community singing “Happy Birthday” adds an extra layer of happiness, making it a truly memorable occasion.
Victor’s birthday wishes this year include hoping to see the cheer squad succeed in competition and for both the men's and women’s basketball teams to win the MIAA tournament. He also wishes to keep his stripes free of gray hair for at least a few more years.
How did it all begin 25 years ago?
The journey to establish Victor E. Tiger as the university mascot started in the late 1990s when President Ed Hammond and Athletic Director Tom Spicer aimed to create a cohesive and recognizable mascot to represent FHSU.
Larry Dreiling, who had served as the mascot in the late 1970s, played a pivotal role in this effort. He not only funded the initial mascot suit but also continued to support the project in various ways.
In the spring of 2000, after extensive design work by University Art Director Mary Ridgeway—who went through approximately 50 iterations and sought community input—the new mascot was unveiled in conjunction with the issue of the 2000 Reveille yearbook. The live reveal took place on April 3, 2000, at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, and the new logo was made available on university merchandise. The mascot was heralded then as the “first-ever and one-of-a-kind, ‘official’ Tiger mascot.”
Over the years, Victor E. has become a beloved symbol for students and alumni and a cherished figure within the local community, embodying the pride of Fort Hays State University.
I thought it would be fun to get an “insider's perspective” and catch up with one of my favorites, Dawna Evers, who served as Victor E. Tiger from 2008-2012. Dawna’s journey as Victor E. Tiger at Fort Hays State University is inspiring.
Her passion for “mascotting” began at an early age when, at just five years old, she decided she wanted to become a mascot after watching her high school’s Bronco mascot. This aspiration led her to become the first mascot at Mustang North in middle school and later the inaugural mascot at Olathe Northwest High School in Kansas.
Dawna’s love for the role carried into her college years. In the spring of 2008, she tried out for Victor E. Tiger during her college visit and was thrilled to land the role. This experience allowed her to immerse herself in FHSU's vibrant spirit and community.
Dawna's preparation for mascot events was rigorous. She would hydrate days in advance, ensuring she was ready for the physically demanding role. On the day of events, she would meticulously prepare by packing everything she needed, from Victor E.’s body to ice packs for cooling down during breaks. Once fully zipped up, she entirely transformed into Victor E., setting aside her personal life and embracing the energetic persona of the mascot.
Dawna’s time as Victor E. Tiger was filled with memorable moments. She highlighted a poignant farewell at her last home game, where she received a standing ovation, an emotional recognition of her contribution as a mascot. She also formed a special bond with a little girl named Leila, who looked forward to their interactions at games. Their connection emphasized the impact Victor E had on individuals within the community.
Training played a significant role in shaping her mascot skills. With six years of experience and multiple mascot camps, Dawna mastered the art of large gestures and engaging performances, creating a lively, confident, and fun character for Tiger fans.
Ultimately, her experience as Victor E. Tiger helped her overcome personal challenges and provided an outlet for self-expression and social connection during her college years. This journey as a mascot became a transformative chapter in her life, leading to a flourishing career as a mobile DJ and radio personality she built around the vibrant energy she brought to her performances as Victor E.
Dawna shared that one of the most important lessons she learned from mascot camp was to do things at the moment and ask for forgiveness later. “So, usually, if I had an idea that was silly or ornery… I would do it. Out of all the things I did, I had to 'ask for forgiveness' once. It was at the MIAA basketball tournament in Kansas City. I was 'too close' to the basketball hoop during the opposing team’s free throws – that is, I was doing a great job of distracting them, and they were missing their shots.”
We also have some new Victor E. Tiger mascots on Fort Hays Tech | North Central and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest campuses.
Raynie Harvey and Genesis Harvey-Carver are stepping into the exciting role of serving as Victor E. Tiger as part of a broader initiative to celebrate their institutions’ affiliation with Fort Hays State University.
Raynie’s journey began when she was invited to serve as Victor E. Tiger for an event that brought together the three institutions, and she was eager to ensure that Fort Hays Tech | Northwest was represented with enthusiasm.
Raynie has already participated in a variety of events in her new role, including launch celebrations, the Flatlanders Festival in Goodland, and school visits where she engages with younger students and fosters community connections. Whether interacting with children during lunch or participating in local festivities, Raynie's goal is to reflect the values of Tiger Nation through her animated presence as Victor E. She aims to create fun, positive experiences that reinforce the spirit of her institution.
Understanding the importance of audience engagement, Raynie also emphasizes the theatrical nature of mascotting. She believes a successful mascot must know how to interact with the crowd to inspire participation and excitement.
Similarly, Genesis Harvey-Carver has had the opportunity to serve as our Fort Hays Tech | North Central Victor E. Tiger.
“Growing up, I loved the Victor E. Tiger mascot. My parents had me at a young age, so I spent much time around FHSU, and Victor E. was always my favorite part. Seeing the joy and excitement he brought to people and children made me want to do the same for others. I was also a cheerleader in high school; school spirit has always meant so much to me. I love bringing energy and positivity to those around me, and being part of something that uplifts others is truly special.”
I hope this story brought you a big smile – It did me!
Please be sure to help celebrate Victor E. Tiger’s birthday.
A listing of events can be found here: https://www.fhsu.edu/president/tiger-birthday/.
Victor E. Tiger will also visit Wilson Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, and Holy Family Elementary.
Happy Birthday, Victor E. Tiger!
