The second installment of 2011 SEC stadium tours took us to Baton Rouge and LSU. I drove to Orange Beach on Friday (a regular and rather boring drive down I-85 and I-65 that I have done many times). Dinner was at a favorite of ours, The Shrimp Basket and then on to Baton Rouge for Saturday. The trip to LSU was I-10 all the way (4 and half hours) and we arrived on campus around 3 for a 6 pm kick-off. We found free on-campus parking (unheard of at many SEC schools) within a half mile of Death Valley.
My brother John had made introductions for us to a business associate of his so we headed towards Touchdown Village #2 to meet up with Joe C., owner of several Burger King restaurants, to join his tailgate party. On the way to TV#2 we stopped by a couple of tents, asking questions and handing out business cards about the blog (almost everyone was showing the
UGA/Auburn game on TV). The first person we talked to apologized for the very reserved, quiet atmosphere and kept explaining that it is normally very rowdy and crowded and we had come on an off day (Homecoming vs. Western Kentucky); he was right. I was trying to be self-deprecating by asking him to take it easy on UGA if we make the SEC championship game; he was incensed and acknowledged that the UGA team of Nov. 12 is NOT the team that lost to Boise State and South Carolina (I have to agree with him!).
We arrived at TV#2, found Joe C. and his wife Karen; he introduced us to the people at his party (again, the UGA/Auburn playing on TV) and the Captain and I were deep into questions about the traditions, local information about the campus and in general enjoying ourselves. Our hosts were incredibly gracious and generous; Joe C., his wife Karen and brother David, a friend Tommy L. who owns a concession within Home Depot, and another associate, Larry F., who works for Dr Pepper in BK sales. Joe and Tommy explained that the crowd who travels to most of the games pride themselves on their parties, food and hospitality (they were right on all counts!).
There was a 30 quart pot of gumbo cooking, boudin sausage and a rice dish (that I did not get the name of) in addition to various and sundry regular tailgate fare and a double margarita machine that was never empty (or even low!). We were at Joe's RV for almost 2 hours and there was a constant stream of people coming by to visit, eat and in general enjoy the Clements hospitality.
I was talking to Larry, and when he heard that I was a retired band director he said he had played in the band all the way through college, I asked what instrument and he said trombone (also my chosen instrument). He was from the Dallas area and was an Oklahoma fan (but visits regularly at Joe's tailgate). As we talked we discovered that I knew his college band director, Roland Barrett from OU. The Sequoyah Band had commissioned Roland Barrett to write a composition for us and when we debuted it we brought the composer out to guest conduct the world premier. Larry was amazed at the inter-connectedness of music and band (but I have seen it demonstrated many times).
About 50 minutes 'til kickoff we headed off to the stadium strolling with the rest of the crowd allowing the flow of humanity to carry us along on the current. We passed many tailgating groups (almost all still playing the UGA game) and as we approached Death Valley I have to say it is an awe-inspiring sight; we arrived right at sunset and the banners flying against the western November sunset was beautiful (pix included). We queued up with the crowd and made our entrance into the stadium. There is something about entering a stadium (of any size) right at
dusk; the lights, field, people take on a surreal aspect similar to a Thomas Kincaide painting with all the colors radiating with hues different from their base ones. Not that there was much diversity of color; the stadium seats 92,000 plus and I venture to say there were less than a 1000 dressed in a color other than purple (myself and the Captain were in the minority). The trek up to our seats (they have 2 video scoreboards, and we were seated under the smaller of the 2) included crossing the concessions area and the menu was also vintage Cajun; fried alligator, dirty rice, gumbo, sausage, in addition to regular concessions fare.
We found our seats in the endzone and were assailed (via the sound system) with every song ever recorded that contains Baton Rouge or Louisiana in addition to some I have had never before heard. We had quite the group seated behind us enjoying the atmosphere so we struck up the usual conversation; we write a travel blog, first time to LSU, soaking in the experience, and Jacey and Annette gave us more information than we could absorb about LSU. Unlike Alabama fans, everyone we met seemed less analytical about the game itself and more interested in atmosphere, tailgating and partying. Any time the "Golden Band from Tiger Land" played or songs blaring from from the sound system had people up dancing to the beat. That is a very important aspect to LSU and their fans; being #1 in the polls is important but they want the complete and full experience, not just the serious side of football.
The team carried on the muted feeling of that particular day (remember the apologies) and it took almost the entire first half to settle down and play LSU football with the final score being 42-9. In summary it was a great day and we were treated to some great hospitality and openness by everyone. We have an invitation to additional tailgate opportunities throughout the year and made some wonderful and lasting friendships in Baton Rouge, and I have to agree; we need to go to another game @ LSU!!
