UNA Lions

UNA Lions

Mascots; University of North Alabama; Florence, Alabama; Lauderdale County, Alabama

Description: Leo was born April 14, 1974 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He came to UNA on July 22, 1973. Dr. Robert M. Guillot established a new tradition by making UNA the only school in the country to have a live lion mascot living on campus. In addition to being UNA’s mascot, Leo was also a tourist attraction. Leo died January 20, 1988 and Leo II took his place in July of 1988. He was brought to UNA with the help of the Shoals community. UNA now has a system where all funds associated with the care and feeding of Leo III and UNA, the operation of their habitat, and the conduct of a related educational program are funded exclusively by charitable contributions. Leo II died in February of 2000 and he was replaced by the lion that currently is the king of the jungle at UNA, Leo III. He and his sister Una were brought into UNA in the year 2002.

Damion Johnson, University of North Alabama

“Leo: the story of Leo the lion, mascot of the University of North Alabama,” printed in 1977, Bill McDonald collection, University of North Alabama archives

“Leo and Leo II- a living tradition at north Alabama,” UNA’s Lions, printed 1995, Bill McDonald collection, University of North Alabama Archives

"University of North Alabama." RSS. Accessed November 13, 2015. http://www.roarlions.com/sports/2015/4/2/GEN_0402151225.aspx.

"Lion Mascots Featured on Campus." Flor-Ala. Accessed November 13, 2015. http://www.florala.net/news/lion-mascots-featured-on-campus/article_cb611cda-eb4c-11e3-ae91-0017a43b2370.html.

Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

November 24, 2015