I attended the football game in Tiger Stadium this past Saturday night. It was the first time after 31 years. It did not let me down. My oldest daughter (a TCU grad) and I arrived Friday night from Texas and we were at lot 406 around 10:15 the next morning. From the moment we got out of the car, it was incredible. When my daughter, who is married to a Texas A&M alum, comments to me “Dad these people are way friendlier than in College Station or Fort Worth. I knew I was back in the embrace of my family.
I was filled with joy to see a literal sea of Purple and Gold and a huge party dancing using the campus as their “dance floor”.
Everything was absolutely perfect. We had a blast. I knew I would see a lot of tailgates, but I was still overwhelmed. When we arrived at the Indian Mounds area it was like everything we had seen previously had culminated there. In the span of a few hours I consumed some of the best gumbo I have ever eaten (next to my Mother’s of course); jambalaya, sauce picante, boudin balls; armadillo eggs; and sausage. I also consumed a few Bud Lights, a Turbo Dog, Canebreak, and a couple shots of 18 year old Glenlivet. All I heard was “Geaux Tigers”, “Ya hungry?” and “what you need to drink?”. When I say I felt love….I really mean it.
My daughter was wearing purple, but it was a TCU tee shirt. I was astonished how many reached out to her. Sure, they gave her a hard time, about the same time they were pouring her another drink or fixing her something good to eat.
I recall chatting with a cigar smoking guy and me telling him I regretted not bringing my cigars with me. Later that night as I was settling into my seat, I heard someone shout out to me about three row back. It was him. He shouted, “I still have my cigar” and we both said in unison Geaux Tigers.
I graduated LSU in May 1974 and by October of that year I was living in Houston, Texas. I have lived in Texas ever since. I have visited my home state many times but lately it has been a while. It was this weekend that I realized how much I have missed home and it was my family there who accepted and receive me in open arms. Never in my life have I been as proud to be an alumni. It really is “Forever LSU”.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to everyone. I knew you would, but you really delivered.