Though most of the 30,000 pounds of the demolished parts of Tiger Stadium will be recycled or disposed of, some material may survive as memorabilia for a few nostalgic fans.
The demolition of the upper west deck ended last week, and the Louisiana Chemical Dismantling Co. is saving a handful of the stadium seats and signs — including the “Welcome to Death Valley” banner — and planning to sell or auction them in the future.
The company is holding onto some select pieces of the stadium at their compound in Kenner, said Jay Schwall, the company president.
Some media outlets have reported that Schwall is accepting offers for the pieces, but Schwall said he has not begun the process.
While Schwall said that although there are no definite plans to sell or auction the remnants of the 25-year-old west upper deck, the company wants to eventually sell them to fans.
Tiger Athletic Foundation spokesman Herb Vincent said the company is welcome to do what they wish with the material.
“They have to haul off everything that gets dismantled up there,” Schwall said. “They can do whatever they want with what they deem valuable.”
Some students said they do not find the prospect of purchasing the artifacts appealing.
“I’m sure there are some die-hard fans that would buy them, but I’m really not interested,” said Edie Chaffin, a mass communication junior.
Others said the prospect of owning a piece of Death Valley might appeal more to older fans.
“I think the older people, who have been going all their lives, might be more sentimental about it,” said Logan Cumbaa, a mass communication junior.