In 2010, roughly 10,000 students and I stood in a heaping mass of humanity and watched what is still the most thrilling and equally confusing minute of football I’ve ever watched.
A snap flew over Jordan Jefferson’s head and LSU fans began to lament a rather embarrassing loss to a much lesser Tennessee team.
Then something weird
happened.
The referees explained that the Vols’ celebration was premature. They had started the last play with 13 players on the field, and Stevan Ridley ran in LSU’s go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown as time expired.
I’ll never forget it.
But as an overweight drunkard fell on me and a full soda cup found my shoulder from unknown rows above me, something else also struck me — the LSU student section should get its act together.
Tiger Stadium is perennially listed on the short list of notorious places for away teams to play — as it should be — and the student section plays a big part in securing that recognition season after
season.
But with college football bigger than it has ever been and fandom reaching new heights every year, the LSU student section better get back to the basics if it wants to keep its reputation.
Quit buying seven-dollar sodas just so you can see how far they fly when the clock ticks to zero. You’re a college student. It pains me to see you waste money.
Stop leaving the game when LSU is up by more than a touchdown at halftime. The best student section wouldn’t leave.
Think about coming to at least one game a year sober, and for God’s sake, learn how to clap on cue.
What makes Tiger Stadium a daunting environment is something very simple — it’s loud.
If LSU students are adamant about remaining in the best student section conversation, these concessions shouldn’t be too difficult.
Students don’t have to do much. Just be there and scream your purple-and-gold-bleeding throat out.
I’ve seen less and less of that over the course of my four years at LSU, except for top-tier matchups that any fan base in the country would show up for.
Alabama is one thing, but if you want to really impress somebody, show up for UAB on Saturday. All of UAB.
If something doesn’t change, and the downward slide into an even more drunken, half-interested section continues, there will be plenty of other schools eager to take a top spot.
I’ve been to Texas A&M’s Kyle Field where fans gather at midnight for yell practice and the press box sways in rhythm with them as they sing the fight song at deafening decibels.
I’ve been to Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium where they still have much to learn but won’t be too far behind soon if no one stops Saban and his boys on the field.
There’s always a good showing in the Swamp, where Florida fans would once again be in the conversation if their team can get back to Tim Tebow era success.
When it comes down to it, LSU students have a choice.
Either get more involved and step up your game, or stop hailing yourself as the greatest of all time.
Spencer Hutchinson is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from West Monroe.