For many incoming freshmen, Saturday, August 30 will be a first taste of college athletics.
Most students and alumni consider Saturday night in Tiger Stadium incomparable to any other football game in the country.
Tiger Stadium was ranked fifth in the nation in a recent CBS Sportsline.com ranking of the top 10 collegiate football stadiums.
Verge Ausberry, associate athletics director for operations and a three-year starter at inside linebacker from 1987-1989, said the atmosphere in Tiger Stadium is incredible for freshmen during their first game.
“It is going to be overwhelming for freshmen who have not been to an LSU game,” Ausberry said. “It’s almost going to be a fast zoom by the eyes. They are not even going to believe what is happening out there. They will never forget that first night experience for the rest of their lives,” Ausberry said.
While the football game is the climax of the night, the Golden Band from Tiger Land is in charge of getting the crowd ready to go.
Randy Gurie, director of university special events and a band member from 1964 to 1968, said the greatest part of the night for fans may be the band’s run down North Stadium Drive prior to the game.
“There is nothing like this in collegiate athletics in the country,” Gurie said.
Roy King, Tiger Band assistant director, said the run between the Journalism building and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is a very special part of the night.
King said the band starts at the Greek Theater in parade formation and marches to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for a short performance and then enters the stadium through the student entrance.
But the most exciting moment for band members is performing pregame on the field, King said.
“The thrill of making music that creates a level of excitement in the stadium is what Mr. Wickes, LSU band director, calls a peak experience,” King said.
King, a former band member, said his experiences performing the pre-game routine on the field are unforgettable.
“I played snare drum, a fairly loud instrument, and when the crowd begins to get excited, I could not hear my own drum,” King said. “It is a thrill beyond words.”
Ausberry said his favorite part of the night also is the band’s pregame performance.
“That is a special moment,” Ausberry said. “When the drum major puts the baton in the air and they step out of the endzone and salute the four sides of the stadium — that is probably the most special time of the night.”
For players the pinnacle of the night is the run out on the field, Ausberry said.
“Once those doors open and we walk out there, that’s when the chill bumps hit you,” Ausberry said. “There is no other feeling in the world, no other rush, that goes through you like that and I have played in stadiums all over the world.”
Chancellor Mark Emmert said before he attended an LSU football game, he was told how great the atmosphere was, but he believed it was an exaggeration.
“It’s not an exaggeration,” Emmert said. “It really is the best venue for a college football game in America. I think the best venue for a sport period.”
Jonathan Hebert, a general business senior, said the best part of the night is when the football team runs out of the tunnel and all 92,600 fans start screaming.
Hebert said the student section atmosphere is wild.
“It is more entertaining than anywhere else in Tiger Stadium because everyone hates the opponent no matter who they are,” he said.
Ausberry agrees that the student section should be fun but warns freshmen of safety precautions in the stands.
“We ask always that freshmen be careful,” Ausberry said. “Don’t get caught drinking. If you get caught drinking or fighting you get placed on probation.”
Ausberry said reports of illegal activity in the student section go on students records in the Dean of Student’s Office.
“Freshmen don’t want that on their record,” Ausberry said. “If they pledge for a fraternity or sorority or try to get involved with any University organization and they are on probation, they can’t go through with it.”
Ausberry said freshmen should have a lot of fun and learn all the cheers during their first year of football.
“We want them to come to the game and enjoy the atmosphere,” Ausberry said. “It’s the best college atmosphere and the best atmosphere in football throughout the country.”