The most exciting part about the beginning of each fall semester is the countdown to football season. Each summer, the anticipation grows as school nears and that student ticket email tells you that it's almost time. Incoming freshman will experience their first season in the student section, while upperclassmen yell the beloved chants that we all have come to hold so dear.
LSU football is more than just football. Every person in that stadium wearing purple and gold is part of a family. While I sure do love ending a game with a W, my favorite part about LSU football is the numerous traditions.
1. Tailgating.
You will probably never again see as many people in the same place, drinking and eating for the same cause. LSU tailgates are bustling with people in their purple and gold clothes, beads, streamers, flags, and dyed dog fur.As you walk down Nicholson ext., you will see everything from the L'auberge tailgate having a full service bar complete with bartenders, to families grilling gator for the Florida game. There's nothing quite like carrying a handle of whiskey from one tailgate to the next while yelling "Tiger Bait" at anyone wearing the opposing team's colors.
2. Pregame Show
LSU's Golden Band from Tiger Land walks on the field and immediately chills run down my spine. The band plays Touchdown for LSU, The Alma Mater, The National Anthem, and a compilation of a few others while moving to different formations. After the pregame video, the team runs out onto the field into a background of fireworks and the crowd goes wild.
3. Callin' Baton Rouge
I don't think Garth realized what he was doing when he released this song. It has become one of the anthems of LSU football, as well as all of our college bars. When you hear that fiddle, you can't help but jump up and belt out the lyrics to what is possibly one of the greatest songs in history. (Partially because I love Garth and partially because I'm from Baton Rouge)
4. Chance of Rain, Never
We literally yell that before every game. Even if it does rain, our loyal fans stay in the stadium until they force us out.
5. The Golden Girls
They are beautiful, talented, and super sparkly.. and they give little girls a great Halloween costume.
6. LSU Songs
Throughout the game, the Tiger Band plays many different songs. Some are played every game, some are versions of popular tunes. All, however, are joined with cheers, chants, and sometimes even hand motions like the first, second, and third down songs.
This is definitely not a complete list of our traditions that are held during football season, it's just a few of my favorites. Now, if you are like me, you have spent multiple football seasons in Tiger Stadium. Being in that stadium with 102,320 of my closest friends makes Death Valley feel like my second home; there's no place like it. If you haven't ever been to a game, come on down. We'd love to have you and show you what a real football experience looks like.
