It Only Happens Seven Nights A Year
Written: Dec 20 '03 (Updated Dec 22 '03)
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Pros: Offers the most exhilarating experience imaginable
Cons: no beer served in the general stands, rain ruins everything
The Bottom Line: Unless you are a fan of the opposing team or hate football, experiencing Tiger Stadium is something I would recommend doing if you are ever in the area.
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| johnlouisiana's Full Review: Tiger Stadium (LSU) |
Tiger Stadium is impossible to miss if you have ever taken Interstate 10 through Baton Rouge.
Built to resemble the Colosseum from the Roman Empire, and to match the Italian-style architecture of Louisiana State University, the size of Tiger Stadium is constantly growing. The capacity has gone from 12,000 (1924), 22,000 (1931), 46,000 (1936), 67,720 (1953), 78,000 (1978), 80,000 (1994), to 91,600 (2000), making it the 5th-largest on-campus stadium, behind fellow SEC rival Tennessee, and the Big Ten's Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State.
THE NOISE
Tiger Stadium is only used seven nights a year, and during those seven nights, the stadium itself becomes the 6th largest city in the state of Louisiana. Tiger Stadium, which has come to be known as "Death Valley" because of how loud the fans get, has been consistently named the most feared road playing site in America - by the media and opponents alike. For example, ESPN sideline reporter Adrian Karsten said in 2001, "Death Valley in Baton Rouge is the loudest stadium I've ever been in." Put it this way, during the 2003 Auburn game, two students from LSU's Department of Astronomy and Physics conducted an experiment to measure noise levels on the field and came back with a reading of 117 decibels. By comparison, a jackhammer comes in at 90 decibels. In addition, Tiger stadium is the only one to register on the Richter Scale. It was during the "Earthquake Game" that took place on Oct. 8, 1988 against Auburn. LSU had been down 0-6 the whole game. Late in the game, LSU was able to get the ball deep inside Auburn territory, however the drive stalled. LSU decided to go for it on 4th down with 1:41 to play. With the game on the line, LSU quarterback Tommy Hodson threw to Eddie Fuller, who caught it for the winning touchdown. The explosion of the crowd was so thunderous that it registered on a seismograph meter in LSU's Geology Department across campus.
THE BAND, DANCELINE, AND CHEERLEADERS
Music is provided by the Golden Band from Tigerland (LSU's Marching Band). At approximately 300 musicians strong, the band is one of the largest college marching bands in the country. Seated during the middle of the student section during the game, the Tiger Band plays numerous crowd favorites such as "Tiger Rag," "Geaux Tigers Cheer" (First Down Cheer), "Second Down Cheer," "Chinese Bandits," and of course "Pregame" (Hold that Tiger). Pregame is one of the most amazing things about Tiger Stadium. Before the game, the band lines up along the north endzone, then marches across the field until the entire band is evenly spread across the entire length of the field. Then, the band begins playing "Pregame" (Hold that Tiger). It starts with a drum cadence, involving a snare beat intertwined with the crash of a larger drum, that sends this entire feeling through the air that something really big is coming. And something really big does indeed come, the entire force of all the trumpets, tubas, etc. slowly striking up "Hoooold... Thaaat... Tieee... Ger! Hoooold... Thaaat... Tieee... Ger!," saluting various corners of the stadium while doing it. It is impossible to explain to someone who has never seen it, but it would be unlikely for anyone not to feel goosebumps when that first note is struck. Other than that, the band is just average, including the half-time show. The color guard (flag bearers) that accompany the band are also average. What is not average, however, is the Golden Girls, the female dance line that accompanies the band. The Golden Girls are a danceline consists of approximately 16 beautiful southern belles who are chosen each spring by a special audition. LSU's cheerleaders are average. The only cool thing they do is circle Mike the Tiger (yes, a real bengal tiger) in a cage around the field before the game. Rumor has it that if Mike roars, the Tigers will win, so of course the whole crowd tries to egg Mike on to roar.
THE SEATING
The West and East sidelines stands have seated backs, as does the lower half of each of the West and East upper decks. The rest of the seating is bleachers (so you might want to bring a pad to sit on). In addition, if the game is close, don't plan on being able to sit at all (every one will be standing).
THE FACILITY
Umbrellas are not allowed, so if it rains (and it does a lot in South Louisiana), you better have a rain pancho on hand. In my opinion, I would not go to the game if it is raining. I can't stand being soaked. Also, you have to remember that parts of Tiger Stadium are 79-years-old, and thus the facilities are old. The bathrooms and concessions are definitely not above-average, unless you are lucky enough to get a ticket to the luxury suites (which are brand new). As for the choice of food, Tiger Stadium has everything that you would expect in a stadium. However, the only place alcohol is served is in the luxury suites, which are located between the sideline stands and the upper deck. Although the gate to the student section is heavily watched for those sneaking alcohol in, the rest of the gates have lax security. If you simply put alcohol in your wife's purse, you will get it in. Finally, as for the stairs and ramps, there are no stairs. The Stadium has ramps all over the place, and they are extremely wide.
PARKING
Well, parking is terrible on a simple school day at LSU, so of course it is going to be absolutely miserable when the campus has three times its normal population. You are definitely going to have to park off-campus (unless you have a special pass).
AESTHETICS
Tiger Stadium used to be one of the most gorgeous stadiums in the world. The outside was a ring of five stories worth of dormitories with square windows (1,500 students used to live here), topped by a row of massive arches (very similar to the numerous rows of arches that make up the outside of the Roman Colosseum). However, with the addition of the two new upperdeck sections (1978 and 2000), the sides of the "Colosseum" have been covered up by the supports and the ugly ramps that lead up to the upperdeck sections. There is nothing left of beauty in Tiger Stadium (besides the Golden Girls).
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: What A Nightmare
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Epinions.com ID:
johnlouisiana
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Member: John in Baton Rouge/New Orleans, LA
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
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