September 4, 2003
TO: Fans, Friends, and Supporters of LSU Athletics
FROM: Skip Bertman, LSU Director of Athletics
This Week:
It was great to get our athletics year off to a big start last weekend as the football team beat UL-Monroe, the soccer team swept three matches and the volleyball team won two out of three matches. It’s shaping up to be another great year for the Tigers.
Here are a few notes from last weekend:
THE WEATHER
I thank and congratulate LSU’s football fans at the UL-Monroe game. The enthusiasm was as wonderful as ever and the tailgating was superb, but you should take special pride in the way you worked together in the very unusual situation created by the weather.
Never before have we had to interrupt a football game because of lightning. A situation like that can cause panic in large crowds, but our crowd of over 89,000 fans did exactly what public address announcer Dan Borne’ asked: to move to the exits in a calm and orderly manner if they wished to leave the stadium. Many people did leave during the interruption, and we had very few complaints about crowd problems.
We know it was hot under the stands and we know it was crowded. Such is the circumstance with a 79-year old facility. But, by and large, our fans understood the situation and worked together to make a bad situation tolerable. Within 45 minutes the game was back underway, and just about everyone returned to their seats for a great night of football and another Tiger victory.
THE TAILGATING
I was privileged to accompany Chancellor Mark Emmert and his wife Delaine to introduce a new feature to LSU tailgating: the Chancellor’s Tailgater of the Week Award. Prior to each game, Chancellor Emmert seeks out a group of tailgaters who show great spirit and participate in our clean-up program by keeping their tailgating area clean.
We are fortunate to have a chancellor who takes such pride in LSU’s campus that he takes this hands-on approach to encouraging its traditions and its beauty. Chancellor Emmert is truly a friend of the fans.
Thanks to all of you who helped “pitch in” with our clean up efforts. We received great response to the new bright yellow trash receptacles spread across the campus. We’ll continue to work to improve our clean-up efforts, and I know you’ll continue to help.
Also, I was glad to see so many young people enjoying the new Pigskin Playground south of Tiger Stadium. The Pigskin Playground, featuring inflatable games, student-athletes from various sports and a band for entertainment, will be in place again for the Western Illinois game beginning at 2 p.m. on game day.
THE TRAFFIC
The torrential rains on Saturday affected everyone’s plans, and many fans arrived late for the game through no fault of their own. We always encourage everyone to arrive at the campus early and to carpool when possible.
We meet weekly to refine our parking and traffic policies in order to improve with each game. From feedback we received after the UL-Monroe game, there were very few problems leaving the campus, and any traffic snags were in outer reaches of the city. A major traffic accident in the Gardere area affected traffic south of the campus.
Because the Tigers took an early and convincing lead, many fans left early and that eased traffic flow. For those games when the majority of the crowd stays to the end, we ask you to be patient. Remember that Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night is larger than 48 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and it takes time for 91,000 people to exit the campus.
THIS WEEK
We’ve sold over 5,000 tickets to the Arizona game, so I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in Tucson. LSU fans have become recognized as a strong traveling group, and that’s sure to help us when bowl season rolls around and the bowl scouts take notice.
NEXT WEEK
We nearly filled up Tiger Stadium for the UL-Monroe game, and we want to do it again for Western Illinois on September 13. We’re again offering a special $15 ticket for all faculty, staff and students throughout the LSU System, and also for law enforcement officials, fire prevention and military personnel. Tickets must be purchased at the LSU Athletics Ticket Office and an ID presented.
We are also offering the $15 ticket for the Western Illinois game to all Louisiana high school, junior high or elementary school students at the LSU ticket office.
Thanks again for all of your feedback. We want to hear from you how we can make LSU Athletics better, so write to us at LSUvision@etigers.net. Although I cannot guarantee a response to every e-mail, please know that they will all be read.
Thank you for your continued support of LSU Athletics.