Your First LSU Football Game

Emily Maranto

I have a confession: until my freshman year, fans even begin setting up the afternoon Most in the student section stand during

I’d never been to an LSU football game. before the game. the whole game and sit during half-time.

Not a big deal if you’re not from Baton We recommend visiting Mike the Tiger, You won’t have much elbow room, but

Rouge, but near criminal if you are. the Parade Grounds and Indian Mounds that’s just classic LSU bonding time. before the game. Remember, you can’t cheer too loudly.

"Then I went to an LSU game – and And don’t miss Geaux get ’em, Tigers! " The massive sense of community and school spirit begins from the moment you enter LSU. No wonder it’s said that the famous march down Victory Hill featuring the football team, coaches, Golden Girls and LSU band an hour and a half before kickoff. Hearing those first chords of the band’s realized what I had been missing. LSU Football Trivia Team colors. Tradition has it, according to LSU Athletics, that in 1893 football coach Dr. Charles Coates (also a chemistry professor!) and his players wanted to

LSU fans “bleed purple and gold.” There famous pre-game number is guaranteed to spruce up their dull gray jerseys before truly is nothing like spending the whole induce goose bumps. their first game. Mardi Gras was coming day on campus, wearing those colors and up, and stores were overflowing with wondering if it’s ever been so hot outside. And then it’s time to enter Tiger Stadium, purple, gold and green ribbon. But the

You meet new people, share laughs and also known as Death Valley. Don’t let the particular store on Third and Main streets discuss how LSU is the best team on the name fool you. It’s the liveliest place in that Coates and his team went to hadn’t planet . . . naturally. received its shipment of

Still, your first LSU game can be Get in line early green ribbon. So purple and gold ribbon it was – intimidating. Figuring out where to park in and remains. itself requires skill, courage and patience. Louisiana on Saturday nights. Get in line

We are not exaggerating. Pro tip: The early to enter the stadium to avoid the Mascot

Tiger Trails campus buses run a special impatient rush in the student section. How, you might ask, did our mascot gameday route. Imagine you’re in Disney World, but become the Tiger instead of our native change the mouse ears to tiger stripes. alligators? According to LSU Athletics, the

Once you arrive, expect masses of You’ll need an LSU student ID and a name has roots in a Civil War volunteer people. Safety first – always. Campus backup form of ID such as a driver’s company nicknamed the Tiger Rifles. In police and other law enforcement officials license. time, all Louisiana troops fighting in the monitor throughout the whole day to Army of Northern Virginia would be called guarantee safety and order (which is a Only certain items are allowed in the Tigers. Maj. David French Boyd, first must during those high-pressure games stadium, and the only acceptable form of LSU president after the war, adopted the . . . I’m looking at you, 2018 LSU-versusbag is clear and no larger than 12 inches. name Tigers for the football team. After

Alabama home game). Pro tip: go without a bag to use the “no a history of impressive wins by 1955, they bag” express lane (the word “express” is became the “Fighting Tigers.”

You’re never too old to use the buddy relative, but it’s definitely faster than system. Always bring at least one the other line). friend to avoid ever feeling unsafe or overwhelmed. Page 23 has more info on

LSU’s safety smartphone app, free for any student. Moms, you can thank us later.

Gameday celebrations begin early. Tailgating starts early in the morning. Some

Gameday Songs and Chants

We recommend finding a friendly upperclassman or watching closely for the chants and movements classic to LSU. Here are a few to use as a guide and to impress your friends who might be lost on gameday.

LSU Alma Mater

By LSU students Lloyd Funchess and Harris Downey, 1929

Where stately oaks and broad magnolias shade inspiring halls,

There stands our dear Old Alma Mater

who to us recalls

Fond memories that waken in our hearts

a tender glow,

And make us happy for the love

that we have learned to know.

All praise to thee our Alma Mater,

molder of mankind,

May greater glory, love unending

be forever thine.

Our worth in life will be thy worth

we pray to keep it true,

"And may thy spirit live in us, forever L-S-U.

Hey Fighting Tigers

With original words set to the music of the Broadway hit “Hey Look Me Over” from the musical “Wildcat.” Words by Gene Quaw, a former LSU director of social recreation. The LSU version was introduced in 1962.

Hey, Fightin' Tigers, Fight all the way

"Play, Fightin' Tigers, win the game today.

You've got the know how,

you're doing fine,

Hang on to the ball as you hit the wall

And smash right through the line

You've got to go for a touchdown

Run up the score.

Make Mike the Tiger stand right up and roar.

ROAR!

Give it all of your might as you fight tonight

and keep the goal in view.

"Victory for L-S-U!