Bleachers and the shouts of spectators reverberate in unison. Purple and crimson uniforms clash while athletes’ emotions culminate in one contest.
In recent memory, the rivalry between LSU and Alabama has nearly grown to war. And the annual Southeastern Conference meeting is as much a conflict in the pool as it is on the gridiron.
Although the sport doesn’t receive nearly as much hype as football, the passion among swimming fans and athletes is still present.
Last year, the Alabama meet held in the LSU Natatorium attracted a lively crowd of nearly 300, according to Tiger swimming coach Dave Geyer.
“Obviously swimming isn’t the most exciting sport, but to see the fans with our friends and family, that’s beneficial,” LSU freshman swimmer Kara Kopcso said. “I know last year was a really intense rivalry with Alabama. I know Dave was fired up, the team was fired up and just hearing those stories makes me fired up.”
The Tigers have splashed with the Tide for the last 15 years, as the Alabama meet is traditionally scheduled the Friday before the annual football game.
But due to conference scheduling conflicts and a new Crimson Tide coaching staff, LSU and Alabama won’t compete against one another in 2013.
Diving coach Doug Shaffer said he believes there’s another factor behind the rivalry’s interruption.
“Last year they came into hostile LSU territory, we kicked their butts on the men’s and women’s side, and they decided not to come back this year,” Shaffer joked.
Although there’s some disappointment among the Tigers in not being able to face off against Alabama this year, the absence of the event allows for another rivalry to sprout.
With a No. 10 women’s team and a No. 17 men’s squad, new SEC foe Texas A&M provides stiff competition for LSU every year.
“I think if you look across probably all sports here at LSU, I think there’s probably one or two teams within the conference that everyone just gets a little bit more amped up for,” Geyer said. “Texas A&M, prior to joining the conference, was always a good dual meet for us as well. But now that they’ve joined the SEC, it adds a little bit more competitive edge to it this year.”
Though swimming and diving is often considered a one-on-one, individual sport, Shaffer said that LSU still remains a team.
And when meets include history between opponents, the Tigers join together to ensure their dives, breaststrokes and cheers are just a bit more spirited.
“Any SEC opponent [is a rival],” Shaffer said. “The nature of the beast is that we’re competitive in the program and anytime we’re stepping up against one of our opponents we need to be as competitive as we can.”