re: Taking my little boy to his 1st LSU game....

Watching the drum unit practice under the oaks near the Greek Theater would be a nice touch. From there the band sets up and marchs down Victory Hill. Also, the Golden Girls are often there just walking around. I got some nice pics with the Golden Girls and my kids some years ago and I also enjoyed the view!

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and I also enjoyed the view!

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Who wouldn't?

Took my little guy last year to his first, at the West Virginia game. He was 4 also. Got there early for parking. Took him to the student union for food and snacks. Let him look around at all the LSU gear and such at the bookstore downstairs. After that we walked to see Mike at his place. Then got lined up and watched TGBFTL. After they finished we went straight into the stadium. That's usually and hour to an hour and a half before kickoff. That way we didn't have to worry about fighting too much of a crowd as we went in. Drink and snacks during game are definitely a must. Just be prepared to miss a few things during the game because of bathroom breaks. PP7 became his favorite LSU player that day, with the punt return. As far as where to sit, just stay away from the student section and you should be good. Take lots of pics. You'll never forget their first game. This year he's going to the Florida game with me. Geaux Tigas!

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Any pointers from Dads out there that have been in my shoes is much appreciated. Parking, Seats, Timing, etc.

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Dude my son is 4 also and i got 2 tickets in the upper bowl for him to see it all. I am pretty excited to see how he acts.

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Keep him busy and don't be shocked or pissed if all he wants to do is grab a snack and sit for the 1stQ. When he is ready to go don't ask or make him stay. Have an exit strategy to someplace quick that will occupy his mind while you watch the rest of the game after. I've seen some dick dads make their kids stay when they clearly aren't enjoying the mostly adult atmosphere. Don't be that Dad.

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This...and it's so true.

The first game I brought my older son to (who had just turned three at the time) was the Monday Night game against TENN in 2005. As you may recall, it was like 9,000 degrees that day with about 200% humidity...and I stupidly brought him out for most of the day. By the time we got to my seats in the EU deck where we sizzled for an hour and a half BEFORE the game started, he was wrung out already. He didn't like loud noises at the time but I didn't really think that the loudness of TS would be like the loud sharp noises he hated. By widway through the first quarter after LSU went up and the p[lace was rocking he was glued to my side telling me, "Let's go, Daddy..."

Got up, told everyone in my section by and promptly left. Sucked, but to stay would have been to torture him and I'm kind of fond of the kid. I have a photo of him outside of Mike's cage right after we left and he has this little smile on his face as if to say, "It's about damn time..."



When it's time to leave, it's time to leave.

I'm taking mine too, he's almost 3. Didn't think I'd take him so soon but he hit me when he found out we were not going in for the Northwestern game. It's not his style be felt betrayed. He thought he would be playing in the game.

He loves sports though; knows all the teams, colors and has been singing "hey fighting tiger" for about 6 months now then follows up with instrumentals.

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Bushwackers
Taking my little boy to his 1st LSU game....

Is the upper bowl better for visual or try to get as close to field as possible?

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From experience with my now 13 year old nephew:
- If you can get mid-to high level seats near the end of a row in the lower bowl, those would be great. I like sitting cattycorner in one of the curves - either end zone.

- Make sure he wears a cap and bring sun screen.

- Best times for bathroom breaks are:
*Just before LSU sends in the punt team
*With 5:00 left in the first half.
*Just after the second half starts.
*It's easier to wait for a stall :)

- Buy him the following:
* A program (but never put it down under the seat - it WILL get wet - tuck it in the back of your or his pants.
* A hot dog and small Sprite (kids love em, me too :)
* Peanuts (keeps him busy)

Make sure you
* Visit Mike's cage
* Visit the Union
* Visit the Campanile
* Visit the Parade Grounds - bring a football
* See the players walk down, then TGBFTL
* DON'T miss pregame

The TAF Pregame parties are cool too.....

Some great ideas, but I will expound. My kids (now 22, 19 and 17) have been going to LSU games since they were 3. We always drove in from out of town on game day and spent the day at LSU.

Since it is an early game, my times may be off, but I will try. Park around University High or the Law School. Long walk, but easy drive after the game. Also, fits the schedule for everything else.

If you have time, go by the Student Union Bookstore and then to the LSU Creamery. Best ice cream anywhere, made by the students. Early game time may prevent this from happening, but worth a try. Kids love it.

Go to the amphitheater on Dalrymple around 8:30 a.m. and watch the band and drum corp warm up. Mike the Tiger (the human mascot) and Golden Girls are usually roaming around and get photo opportunity. The drum corps are great. Don't forget your camera.

Walk to the Indian Mounds (kids love these hills), then walk down Victory Hill and wait by the locker room door for the football team to walk down Victory Hill. If you wait right by the locker room door, the players will normally high five the fans and he can see them up close, including Coach Miles. My 17 year old daughter still loves doing this and she knows all the players' names. For an 11:00 game, you probably need to be there about 9:00 a.m. (check LSUsports.net website for event times). After the team walks by, walk across the street to the Tiger cage and wait for TGBFTL to march down the hill. Put him on your shoulders and he will have a great view of everything from up there. After the band, you could go to the gift shop right by the Tiger cage (great place to cool off) and you are now on the West side of the stadium.

If you get sideline seats (shouldn't be hard, just wait outside the West sideline gates and someone will give or sell tickets cheap), go into the stadium early and try to bring him up to the fence right by the field. He can watch the players warm up and get the feel of the place. We sometimes spent 30 -45 minutes doing this and took tons of pictures.

Get in your seats early to watch the real Tiger as he is driven around around the field and then watch the band. If you sit on the East Side, bring sunglasses and hats. The sun will be terrible for everyone, but especially for you on that side. Try to sit on the West side if possible (my season tickets are on the East Side). Again, just hang out in front of the West Side gates and you will find tickets for this game. Make a simple sign for him to hold up (We need 2 tickets) and put him on your shoulders and you won't have any problem getting good seats. It will be fun for him to try to find tickets with you.

My kids always stayed until the end of the game (even now we are not allowed to leave early because of this). With an afternoon game, the only reason to leave early will be the heat or the score to avoid walking traffic back to your car.

Have a great time and post memories afterwards.

be prepared to leave early.

We started bringing my son when he was approx. 16 months last year. We did the Tennessee, Alabama, & Ole Miss with him (the 2:30 games). He typically isn't overly interested in the game but enjoys sitting in his own seat, talking to the people around us, etc. We bring lots of snacks (i.e. Cherrios, cookies, etc.) for him to munch on during the games and keep him occupied. We sit in the East Upper and let him play on the ramp near the SEZ during the half.

There's a walkway (primarily for handicapped seating) that runs the length of the East Upper, just behind the Tiger Terrace, that we typically hang out on during the latter parts of the fourth quarter. I doubt we are suppose to congregate there but most of the ushers are very tolerant provided we aren't blocking the aisles, annoying other guests, etc.