Iggy the Lion

Although its origin is somewhat clouded, the Lion mascot has been synonymous with Loyola Marymount University for more than 95 years. According to the Oct. 5, 1923 edition of the school newspaper, the Los Angeles Loyolan, the Lion mascot was suggested by an enthusiastic fan after 1919 when St. Vincent’s College became Loyola College. Noting the Loyola football player’s fierce competitiveness, that unknown fan described the Loyola players as Lions.