Saturday’s game between LSU and Alabama is being billed as the game of the century, with hoards of LSU fans expected to descend upon Tuscaloosa this weekend.
But the cheapest tickets available on the ticket marketplace website Stubhub.com are going for $345. That price excludes a large percentage of the Tiger fan base.
So for those fans who want to feel the atmosphere of being at the game without having to take out a small loan, LSU should open Death Valley for the fans that stay at home.
Is there a better place to watch the event than Tiger Stadium?
This is the biggest regular season game, ranking-wise, for the Tigers since their 1959 showdown with No. 3 Ole Miss when LSU was No. 1.
That game was highlighted by LSU running back Billy Cannon’s 89-yard punt return for a touchdown, which led LSU to a 7-6 victory.
Now, opening up the stadium can add more than just a great atmosphere for fans. It can have a philanthropic angle to it, as well.
In April, Tuscaloosa, Ala., was struck by a catastrophic tornado that left at least 32 known dead, countless injured and an immeasurable amounts of damage.
Selling concessions at the game and sending all the profits to relief efforts would aid those still recovering from the tragic tornado.
Opening up the stadium and donating to the relief effort shows that no matter how much may be at stake in Tuscaloosa, the LSU community still knows that there is much more to life than winning a football game.
After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav, other teams changed schedules and donated thousands of dollars to help LSU and the Baton Rouge community recover. For once, LSU is not the one that is dealing with a natural disaster.
If Tiger fans take a look in the mirror, they will know it is their time to return the charity favor.
Opening up the stadium is a win-win for all parties involved. The fans get their chance to watch the marquee game of the season in a stadium with plenty of fans, and the school can help a fellow institution by making a charitable donation to a community in need.
No matter how heated or important this game becomes, there is still more to life than football.
Helping people who have lost their homes and every valuable possession they own is the right thing to do. And doing that while also getting to watch the game with a live audience full of passionate Tiger fans is a good way to achieve that goal.
LSU and Alabama are the two best football teams in the country this season. The two teams will fight tooth and nail to put their respective team in the driver’s seat toward a Southeastern Conference and national title game appearance.
But once the final whistle blows, they all have to go back to living their lives.
For LSU, those lives have been undisturbed since Hurricane Gustav in 2008. But for the Crimson Tide, they are still in a period of recovery.
LSU should take a step in helping them get back to normal.
 
Rob Landry is a 23-year-old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85. 
 
_____
Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]