After weeks of lobbying, Tiger Band and a concentrated awareness campaign targeting University students, the return of the Oh-Wee-Oh chant was perhaps the least disappointing aspect of this semester’s football season.When the Tigers managed their first goal against the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier in the season, the band and the student section erupted in simultaneous roars of “Oh-Wee-Oh, Tigers.” It was a successful end to a long effort to return the chant to Death Valley.The trouble with the chant began during last season’s home game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. While the student section had already taken the liberty of adding “You suck!” at the end of the chant, the addition of a variation of the opposing team’s mascot to the chant upset band officials concerned with sportsmanship.Band officials said they were not initially aware of the changes made to the chant because it is difficult to hear the student section over the sound of the band. But, once they were made aware of the responses to the chant, they pulled “Oh-Wee-Oh” from the lineup.”Once it was brought to our attention, we started to listen, and we could hear it,” said Roy King, assistant director of bands. “We stopped playing the chant because it reflects unsportmanlike conduct.”This year, Student Government president Colorado Robertson worked with band administrators, and an agreement was reached to provide students with an opportunity to bring the chant back.At the Nov. 1 game against Tulane, Tiger Band was silent after each touchdown scored against the Green Wave. The student section filled the void with calls of “Oh-Wee-Oh Tigers,” effectively cleaning up what the band felt had become an unwholesome cheer.After the game, Rob Dowie, Tiger Band drum major, said band officials were pleased with the student response and were willing to give the student section another chance if they kept the chant clean.The band returned to the “Oh-Wee-Oh” chant just in time to welcome back forme LSU coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide with a booming student section. Though band officials admitted it was a risk to bring the chant back during such a heated rivalry, students proved they were ready to have their chant back after the first touchdown.Before the game got underway, LSU cheerleaders lead the student section in a practice run of the “Oh-Wee-Oh” chant to see if the success of the Tulane game had made it home to Baton Rouge.”The band broke out into applause because they were so happy it worked,” Dowie said.The “Oh-Wee-Oh” chant continued throughout the rest of the season, satisfying both the band and the student section. —-Contact Adam Duvernay at [email protected]