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Garnertigah
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| Number of Posts: | 141 |
| Registered on: | 1/24/2014 |
| Online Status: | Not Online |
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re: Deaf Valley...when did it change to Death Valley?
Posted by Garnertigah on 7/24/25 at 2:12 pm to TigerBlitz03
for those who want to know the real story/stories...long read.
LSU's Tiger Stadium is famously known as "Death Valley," a nickname that has become synonymous with its intimidating atmosphere and raucous fanbase. There is evidence to suggest that the stadium was initially referred to as "Deaf Valley" due to the overwhelming crowd noise that made it difficult for players and coaches to communicate during games.
The "Deaf Valley" nickname is believed to have originated in part from a nearby Shell gas station owned by former LSU boxing champion Thurman "Crowe" Peele, located at the corner of Highland Road and State Street in Baton Rouge. The station was colloquially called "Deaf Valley Shell" because of the ear-splitting noise from Tiger Stadium on game days, which reportedly shook the walls and rattled the glass of the station. This connection is supported by multiple sources, including journalist Jim Engster and accounts in *The Advocate*, which note that the term "Deaf Valley" was used by LSU fans and locals, particularly in the 1950s through the 1970s. For example, a 1999 account from Ray Cox, who attended LSU Law School in the 1950s, recalled the stadium being called "Deaf Valley" because "everyone's ears would be ringing for a couple of hours after a game."[](LINK [](LINK
The transition from "Deaf Valley" to "Death Valley" is less clear but appears to have solidified around the late 1950s, particularly after LSU's 7-0 victory over Clemson in the 1959 Sugar Bowl, which secured the school's first national title. Some sources suggest that LSU fans adopted "Death Valley" as a playful jab at Clemson, whose Memorial Stadium had been called "Death Valley" since 1948, when Presbyterian College coach Lonnie McMillian coined the term after consistent losses there. LSU fans may have claimed the nickname to assert their stadium's dominance following the Sugar Bowl win.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
Another theory posits that the shift from "Deaf" to "Death" occurred naturally due to the Cajun accent prevalent in Louisiana, where "deaf" and "death" can sound similar. This linguistic explanation gained traction in the 1980s and 1990s as sports writers increasingly referred to Tiger Stadium as "Death Valley," possibly influenced by the growing national prominence of LSU football and the existing Clemson nickname. The 1988 "Earthquake Game," where crowd noise from a game-winning touchdown against Auburn registered on a seismograph, further cemented the "Death Valley" moniker as a symbol of the stadium’s fearsome atmosphere.[](LINK [](LINK
However, there is some debate about whether "Death Valley" predated "Deaf Valley" in Baton Rouge. Some sources claim that "Death" was used by fans as early as 1959, tied to the Sugar Bowl victory, while "Deaf Valley" remained in use among locals into the 1980s. By 2010, LSU public address announcer Dan Borne’s poem "Saturday Night in Death Valley" officially embraced the "Death Valley" nickname, which has since been prominently displayed on stadium signage.[](LINK [](LINK
In summary, Tiger Stadium was likely called "Deaf Valley" in its earlier years, possibly starting in the 1950s, due to its loud crowds and the influence of Crowe Peele’s gas station. The shift to "Death Valley" appears to have been driven by the 1959 Sugar Bowl win, a potential linguistic evolution in pronunciation, and the increasing national recognition of LSU’s home-field advantage. Both names reflect the stadium’s reputation as one of college football’s most formidable venues.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
LSU's Tiger Stadium is famously known as "Death Valley," a nickname that has become synonymous with its intimidating atmosphere and raucous fanbase. There is evidence to suggest that the stadium was initially referred to as "Deaf Valley" due to the overwhelming crowd noise that made it difficult for players and coaches to communicate during games.
The "Deaf Valley" nickname is believed to have originated in part from a nearby Shell gas station owned by former LSU boxing champion Thurman "Crowe" Peele, located at the corner of Highland Road and State Street in Baton Rouge. The station was colloquially called "Deaf Valley Shell" because of the ear-splitting noise from Tiger Stadium on game days, which reportedly shook the walls and rattled the glass of the station. This connection is supported by multiple sources, including journalist Jim Engster and accounts in *The Advocate*, which note that the term "Deaf Valley" was used by LSU fans and locals, particularly in the 1950s through the 1970s. For example, a 1999 account from Ray Cox, who attended LSU Law School in the 1950s, recalled the stadium being called "Deaf Valley" because "everyone's ears would be ringing for a couple of hours after a game."[](LINK [](LINK
The transition from "Deaf Valley" to "Death Valley" is less clear but appears to have solidified around the late 1950s, particularly after LSU's 7-0 victory over Clemson in the 1959 Sugar Bowl, which secured the school's first national title. Some sources suggest that LSU fans adopted "Death Valley" as a playful jab at Clemson, whose Memorial Stadium had been called "Death Valley" since 1948, when Presbyterian College coach Lonnie McMillian coined the term after consistent losses there. LSU fans may have claimed the nickname to assert their stadium's dominance following the Sugar Bowl win.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
Another theory posits that the shift from "Deaf" to "Death" occurred naturally due to the Cajun accent prevalent in Louisiana, where "deaf" and "death" can sound similar. This linguistic explanation gained traction in the 1980s and 1990s as sports writers increasingly referred to Tiger Stadium as "Death Valley," possibly influenced by the growing national prominence of LSU football and the existing Clemson nickname. The 1988 "Earthquake Game," where crowd noise from a game-winning touchdown against Auburn registered on a seismograph, further cemented the "Death Valley" moniker as a symbol of the stadium’s fearsome atmosphere.[](LINK [](LINK
However, there is some debate about whether "Death Valley" predated "Deaf Valley" in Baton Rouge. Some sources claim that "Death" was used by fans as early as 1959, tied to the Sugar Bowl victory, while "Deaf Valley" remained in use among locals into the 1980s. By 2010, LSU public address announcer Dan Borne’s poem "Saturday Night in Death Valley" officially embraced the "Death Valley" nickname, which has since been prominently displayed on stadium signage.[](LINK [](LINK
In summary, Tiger Stadium was likely called "Deaf Valley" in its earlier years, possibly starting in the 1950s, due to its loud crowds and the influence of Crowe Peele’s gas station. The shift to "Death Valley" appears to have been driven by the 1959 Sugar Bowl win, a potential linguistic evolution in pronunciation, and the increasing national recognition of LSU’s home-field advantage. Both names reflect the stadium’s reputation as one of college football’s most formidable venues.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
re: Zach Yorke Commits to Jay Johnson
Posted by Garnertigah on 7/15/25 at 1:01 pm to Bayou_Tiger_225
Babe Ruthesque
re: Hogs held to 31 plate appearances
Posted by Garnertigah on 6/15/25 at 10:28 am to geauxdjback9
According to AI: The average number of plate appearances for the home team in a 9-inning complete NCAA baseball game is approximately 38.5. It is significant that a very strong Ark lineup would miss out on nearly one entire pass through their lineup.
re: Paul Skenes has had the best start to a MLB career of any pitcher ever.
Posted by Garnertigah on 5/29/25 at 9:41 am to Phillytiger9
Pittsburgh knows they will not be able to afford him when it comes time for the big bag. I expect that Pittsburgh will trade him prior to his contract's end, so they can get value for the team in the trade market.
re: Does anyone here REALLY think LSU is a Top 10 team?
Posted by Garnertigah on 10/7/24 at 12:40 pm to theunknownknight
they are in my mind until they aren't
re: What coach was at the helm when you first started following the Tigers?
Posted by Garnertigah on 10/7/24 at 12:38 pm to Mike da Tigah
Paul Dietzel
re: Date Yourself: Favorite Tiger from Your Childhood
Posted by Garnertigah on 7/28/24 at 2:05 pm to Tarpon08
Billy Cannon, Bob Petit, Joe Bill Adcock,
re: Damn Burns really crashed and, well..
Posted by Garnertigah on 7/21/24 at 4:08 pm to Morpheus
Sam is an excellent professional golfer. He hasn't built up the mental aspect of being a professional closer yet.
re: SI on why Skenes deserves to start the All-Star game
Posted by Garnertigah on 7/14/24 at 7:35 pm to Stevo
Move out Kelce and Swift. You have been dethroned.
re: NBA Icon Muggsy Bogues Shares Strong Take About Angel Reese
Posted by Garnertigah on 6/30/24 at 9:31 am to fastlane
well played sir.
re: delete
Posted by Garnertigah on 6/5/24 at 12:19 pm to Alpha Dawg
LINK
Cool free seating at UNC baseball. Top half of photo is the top of the field hockey stadium which abuts the right field wall.
The bottom half of the pic are large screened cutouts in the lower portion of the right field wall. This also is free seating for those that arrive early.
Cool free seating at UNC baseball. Top half of photo is the top of the field hockey stadium which abuts the right field wall.
The bottom half of the pic are large screened cutouts in the lower portion of the right field wall. This also is free seating for those that arrive early.
re: Game 7 check in thread
Posted by Garnertigah on 6/3/24 at 2:47 pm to PsychTiger
For those without tickets, the SRO tickets go on sale and hour and a half before game time for $20. The standing area is the open mezzanine that is just above all the seats. The mezz has good access to food, drinks and bathrooms. With a little luck you can even find a open dining table and sit the entire game.
re: Game 7 check in thread
Posted by Garnertigah on 6/3/24 at 2:41 pm to PsychTiger
Because school is out, Stadium Drive parking should be free all day. Nice, easy walk to the stadium. Light tailgating all along stadium drive.
re: Tennis Team on Amazing Run
Posted by Garnertigah on 4/20/24 at 1:03 pm to GeauxAI
this is a prelude to the run that the baseball team is going to make
re: We need to hire the rest of our defensive staff NOW!
Posted by Garnertigah on 1/11/24 at 5:47 pm to DocBugbear
be patient, young bull, we will take our time and get the pick of the herd
re: A good Clyde Edwards-Helaire article from KC paper after big game yesterday
Posted by Garnertigah on 12/18/23 at 2:06 pm to TheShmoo
Great article...thanks for sharing.
re: Bowl opponent
Posted by Garnertigah on 12/5/23 at 5:41 pm to turnpiketiger
When it comes to rewarding the players and their families and traveling Tiger fans, Tampa is the far and away the best destination.
re: Starkville is a good college town!
Posted by Garnertigah on 9/15/23 at 8:51 pm to Klingler7
Some of the earliest casinos outside of Las Vegas were opened in Mississippi in reasonable proximity to Starkville. The only reason to go to a game in Starkville was to hit the casinos on the trip.
re: Met Head Referee Jason Autry today
Posted by Garnertigah on 9/13/23 at 7:37 pm to Gulf Coast Tiger
Rules have nothing to do with your personal football skills. Your ability to interpret the rules and apply them in a high speed chaotic environment is what is important.
re: Anyone know what the new construction attachment is connected to football ops?
Posted by Garnertigah on 8/15/23 at 8:07 pm to Sp0728
"It’s for the PVC pipe." Well played, Sir.
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