Two weeks ago, LSU welcomed its Tigers back to Death Valley for the season’s first home game against Nicholls State. Of course, beyond a win for Tiger fans, that night was 10 times – if not 100 times – more special for everyone as 100,242 fans gathered to celebrate 100 years of Tiger Stadium.
In honor of this occasion, LSU’s Tiger Athletic Foundation poured $19.8 million worth of upgrades into the stadium. With exclusive features like a transformative lighting and sound system, the energy of the occasion truly brought Tiger fans together that night.
“This is one of those memories that’s going to live on forever,” said 2004 LSU alumnus La’Mont Hargraves.
In addition to this centennial event, being in the stands that night was even more special for Hargraves, as he was attending his daughter’s first LSU football game with her.
“I feel like it made it better just having my dad there to kind of explain and be able to reflect back on his own experiences of being at the school,” Moriah Hargraves said. “Just explaining how things were back then and how much that it’s changed now.”
La’Mont hadn’t attended an LSU home game since 2016 against Mississippi State. This time, he described the energy as “100 and beyond” and feels that the new features bring Tiger Stadium “up to date with technology, and with the rest of the world.”
Out of the various upgrades made to the stadium, the family’s favorite was the 152-foot video board that allowed the Hargraves to have an astounding view of the game from where they were sitting.
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While long-time LSU football fan and freshman Ava Richardson felt that the video board was one of the best additions as well, she had more to say about what the new light features brought to the stadium that night.
“They just kind of add a little more LSU essence into it,” she said. In her experience, seeing the new purple lights flash to the beat of “Callin’ Baton Rouge” was the “cherry on top” of being in the student section for the first time that night.
Having attended at least five LSU football games in the past, Richardson described the energy of the night as “an ever new sense of classic,” stemming from the general adrenaline of returning to Death Valley combined with the “nerve” of wanting to see the new upgrades.
One player who radiates that energy more than anyone is wide receiver Kyren Lacy, and these three fans each took notice of his electric contributions.
La’Mont recognized Lacy’s growth in between seasons and his ability to “embrace the pressure” as a key component of the team. “Now when we hear Kyren Lacy,” Hargraves said, “when we mention his name, now we’re mentioning a leader.”
Moriah pointed out how Lacy “did a dive over another player to get touch down,” a stunt she felt was very impressive to witness in person.
“He’s a great player in catching and getting our touchdowns. If anyone can do it, Lacy can do it.” Richardson said.
After experiencing the new upgrades to Tiger Stadium, it is an understatement to say that you can feel the energy for this year’s football season. LSU hit the ground running in Death Valley last Saturday and Tiger fans don’t see that 100-year-old spark burning out anytime soon.
“Oh, 100? We’re gonna do 100 more.” Richardson said.
