The front lines of the LSU student section are home to Keegan Simon, Kyle Thibodeaux and Camden Worth, or Bucket Head, Cowboy and Waldo. They are better known as “Mike’s Maniacs.”
The nicknames are derived from their unique gameday attire that has become a staple among fans.
Their mission? To attend every single sporting event at LSU.
“Almost everybody that does go to the student section knows that we’re going to be there,” Thibodeaux said.
What the trio didn’t expect was garnering a fanbase of their own.
Throughout their journey, they’ve grown a following within the LSU community and built close bonds with the fans, coaches and athletes. They’ve been invited to team dinners, been recognized by celebrities and signed everything from baseballs to student ID cards.
That’s not why they continue to do it, though. Their reasoning goes beyond TV cameras and popularity. For the three of them, it’s about showing support for every team and every athlete, no matter the sport.
“The whole reason we started this was to help smaller sports,” Worth said. “We saw a need and we filled the need. We want to get students out there.”
Simon, or “Bucket Head,” has been a fan favorite since going viral during the 2023 baseball season. His simple, yet effective costume originated in the previous season from a joke between his friends and a player after a game.
“We were all joking around trying to find random stuff for him to sign, and someone said to go find a bucket,” Simon said.
Simon picked up an empty popcorn bucket and asked for a signature. The player jokingly requested Simon wear the bucket as a hat to their next game and the rest is history.
“It’s what makes the student section the student section,” Simon said. “You got people dressing crazy and having a good time, so I’ve just been keeping it going ever since.”
Amid the high-stakes 2023 regionals, he was spotted by ESPN commentator and former MLB pitcher Ben McDonald on the Jumbotron. Videos of the bucket-wearing fan were posted on ESPNatbat and NCAA Baseball’s social media. Bucket Head was born.
“Facebook notifications, Instagram notifications, Twitter notifications, my phone died during a game from so many people texting and calling me,” Simon said.
Simon brought his ensemble to the PMAC student section, where he met Thibodeaux and Worth.
Thibodeaux, or “Cowboy,” is known for his decked-out look consisting of Mardi Gras beads, overalls, sunglasses and his cowboy hat he began to wear to the games. Worth’s “Where’s Waldo” inspired look came from his similarities to the character and a spontaneous costume purchase at Walmart.
The group went back and forth between baseball and basketball games in the spring but was approached by volleyball players who asked them to spread the love when their season started in the fall.
From there, an objective was set. Mike’s Maniacs was created and they were expanding their endeavours to every sport at LSU.
Today, the Maniacs have grown into a band of students, planning and preparing every week to ensure that every game, meet or event has students there to cheer on LSU.
The result has been a game-changer.
Last fall, LSU Volleyball saw a 77% increase in home attendance, going from an average of 1136 to over 2000 people.
The trio’s broadened support has boosted their popularity in the LSU community, but their motive remains the same.
“We don’t care about fame,” Thibodeaux said. “We’re just trying to make sure that players appreciate what we do and feel welcome at home.”
The three have made connections with some of the biggest names at LSU such as Flau’jae Johnson, Trace Young and men’s basketball head coach Matt McMahon.
“Never in a million years did I think I was gonna make friends with athletes,” Simon said.
Game after game, they bring the energy, but the job is time-consuming on top of being full-time students. In recognition of all they do, the teams and marketing staff try to express their appreciation in various ways.
Coach McMahon invited Simon, Thibodeaux and Worth to a preseason team dinner at the LSU Tip-Off Club last year and gave them a shoutout at the event.
After LSU gymnastics won the 2024 National Championship, Simon was asked to be the first fan to hold the trophy not even 12 hours after it had been won.
“I was speechless, but I managed to say yes,” Simon said. “I was thinking, ‘If I drop this, I can never show my face here again.’”
The group is branching out beyond home games and bringing the student section on the road this year. On Sunday, Feb. 2, the LSU women’s basketball team will play at Mississippi State and have made arrangements for Mike’s Maniacs to be there with them.
“We’ve had so many opportunities and made so many connections, and we’re not even close to being done,” Thibodeaux said.
Although fame and privileges were never part of the plan, their young fans are a big motivation to keep the group alive. Some of the group’s favorite moments are staying longer to sign autographs and take pictures with kids and their families.
“If I make one fan happy, I’ve done my job,” Simon said.
With spring sports in full swing, Mike’s Maniacs are looking for new members who can match their energy and help fulfill their mission.
Along with Simon, Worth is also in his senior year, leaving two pairs of big shoes to fill.
“Four years later, I would have never guessed I’d have expanded it to as many sports as I did,” said Simon. “But when this baseball season starts, I’m going to be doing my farewell tour.”
The sights of Bucket Head and Waldo will be missed at every game, but the impact they have made as LSU students will live on past their graduation date.
“You only get four years in college, and this is the most fun way of living them I can think of,” said Worth. “We are called maniacs for a reason.”
