re: What makes LSU Tiger Stadium Special and the Icon it is?

My first experience in TS was a bust. I think it was '95 and the Tigers were playing Bama. It poured and I was miserable. Remember choking on cigarette smoke under the stadium in the student section. Left early, and Tigers got blown out by Bama.

But the next year was the first year of Dinardo and we made the Auburn game. I think everyone dubbed it "Bring Back the Magic" game and I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling, sitting in the student section. It's like a weird force takes possession of your body and you become one with all the people around you. There's this kinship, this desire to let go and become part of what is on the field. I remember thinking this was what it was like in Rome in the Coliseum.

And it put its hooks in me, and every contest the Tigers play in that stadium, when that feeling sweeps through, is like some kind of drug. Brings you back year after year.

Best way i can explain it. It's sheer awesomeness and I've raised my kids on the crack that is Tiger Stadium. They don't remember their first game, but every year they beg to go back.

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And that's why I'll go to such lengths to protect it against usurpers like corporate season ticket holders and teetotallers and grumpy old blue-hairs who want the entire stadium to sit and golf clap.

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Great post 312.


IMO, the greatest threat to "all things TS" are our current LSU Admin. I honestly don't think they get it as to what makes TS on Sat night the very envy of the football world.

Couple of notes:
a) when Bobby Bowden took the FSU job mid/late-70s, he stated he wanted their game atmosphere to be like TS on Sat night. I've searched for the quote but have not been able to find it.

b) When Cutcliffe accepted the coaching job at Duke, he too mentioned that he wnated Duke to become like our game day environment.

That spans 25+ years of TS greatness.

When we are the underdogs and its a night game...watch out... its gonna get crazy.

Its the energy.. which is created by the folk attending the event, which is us crazy cajuns! Not only cajuns but good ole southerns who go all out for what they believe in. LSU being the only big school in the state garners most of the attention(along w/the success of the program). But even in times of less success, it has set the bar for sporting events.

Louisiana Culture/a lot of Booze/History to live up to.

Bourbon and boudin

Voodoo

My first game was in about the 8th grade. Small MS town existance. It was the most Incredible thing I'd ever been a part of at that age. I remember thinking "My God, I have to get here for college", and it did lead me there. What's even better is that memory still stands after all I've seen and done as such a powerful experience.

I brought some Airmen down for the game vs. Idaho. The whole pre game rituals were mind blowing to them. Just the fact that everyone was milling around and having small parties everywhere blew their minds.

All the things the crowd did were awesome. I swear I've might have convinced one of them to go to school there just because of the scenenry.