The Marana High School Tiger has been named the Best Mascot in NW Tucson by Tucson Local Media readers, an honor that has been bestowed several times over the years. To celebrate our local icon, we dug out old yearbooks and connected with alumni to learn more about him.

The history of the Tiger is somewhat elusive. Currently named Tony, and having a female counterpart named Tina, the name “Tony” appears on the Class of 2013 tiger statue gift located outside the MHS Patton Gymnasium in the commons. Yearbook research concludes he was named Tony/Tina by the Class of 2011, while older alumni recall that his name was Tyler, with a female mascot named Taylor. Social media chatter online revealed that many proud mothers and grandmothers were responsible for constructing the official mascot suit (thanks, Tiger families!). The Class of 1969 is believed to have been the first class who made the mascot official, with the Marana High School Tiger mascot making appearances at all football games.

What do you know about the MHS Tiger? Share facts and any special memories with us on our Facebook post!