Close your eyes. Can you picture it? The campus grounds packed with people and tents, and everything is just a purple and gold blur. Walking into Death Valley, seeing the field and 1,000 yellow towels swinging in the air. Can you smell it? The smell of jambalaya, popcorn in the stadium and the mosquito spray being passed around. Can you hear it? The sound of fans randomly chanting "GEAUX TIGERS" and "TIGER BAIT." What about the sound of the one and only Golden Band from Tiger Land? The roar of the crowd and our traditional songs we play before the players warm up. Can you feel it? You know what I'm talking about. The most wonderful time of the year: "It is haunted and it is loud." It is football season in Death Valley.
Even if it is four months away, it'll be here before you know it, and we all wish it would hurry up. Do you remember your first time in Tiger Stadium? What about in the student section? In my life, I've been to many LSU football games, and when I became a part of the LSU student body, I thought the first game of that season would be like all the rest. But it wasn't, it's a whole different ball game. The energy was up, and it always stayed up. During a good game, it was like a rush. Constantly cheering, yelling and paying close attention to the field. It is something some people will never understand.
For those of you who have never experienced it before, here is a little rundown on how game day goes. Dedicated fans and students start their tailgating pretty early, depending on whether it is a day or night game. Whether it's on the parade grounds, in the streets or in your camper, purple and gold is pretty much everything you see along with food, drinks and good times. And even though it is said, "Chance of rain is never!" it does sometimes. Whether in the rain, cold, or scorching heat, LSU fans will still be out there having a grand time. You never know when you'll have to have a fan, raincoat or hand warmers. Fans party all day long and keep the party going inside the stadium. Being a part of the LSU community on a Louisiana Saturday night is truly an amazing thing. I would hate to be on the opposing team in Death Valley because you know what they say ... it's the place where dreams come to die.
The feeling is indescribable, I personally get chills when I walk into the stadium and when the players huddle up. It's a feeling you won't find anywhere else. It's cheering on the Tigers with 102,321 of you're closest friends. "It is the cathedral of college football and worship happens here."
Be ready — we're only 13 Saturdays away until this season's first night in Death Valley.
