The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Yes yes, I'll get to the bone crushing and trash talking about the BCS game in a minute, but first, a little history:
It was called the, "Ole War Skule," hearkening back to its founding as a military academy after the Civil War. In 1896, with a perfect 6-0-0 record, LSU Coach A.W. Jeardeau's football team became known as the Tigers, though not exactly in direct reference to ferocious big cats, but rather after the ferocious "Louisiana Tigers" of Civil War fame. One allied soldier wrote of them, "They were all Irish and were dressed in Zouave dress, and were familiarly known as Louisiana Tigers, and tigers they were too in human form. I was actually afraid of them, afraid I would meet them somewhere in camp and that they would do to me like they did to Tom Lane of my company; knock me down and stamp me half to death." With slogans like, "Tiger Bound for Happy Land," or, "Tiger Will Never Surrender," and, "A Tiger Forever," painted on their hats, they wreaked havoc both on and off the battlefield.
They were, according to another soldier, "a unique body, representing every grade of society and every kind of man, from the princely gentleman who commanded them down to the thief and cutthroat released from parish prison on condition he would join Wheat….Such a motley herd of humanity was probably never got together before, and may never be again." At the First Battle of Manassas, their commander gravely wounded, the unit began to fade until one of their officers, himself also wounded, called out, "'Tigers, go in once more, go in my sons, I'll be great gloriously God [expletived] if the sons of [expletives] can ever whip the Tigers!" And go in they did, winning the battle against numerically superior forces and, according to General Beauregard, fighting, "…with almost matchless tenacity…dauntless courage and imperturbable coolness." Told that the Louisiana Tigers were, "…the toughest set of men that ever lived," the school readily adopted the name.
They were the love of Huey Long, who as governor used to give them pre-game pep talks, and accompany them to out of state games. In 1934, Long arranged for several trains to take the entire student body to a game at Vanderbilt. Photographer Fonville Williams recalled, "He gave $7 to any student needing it to go to the game. …Eventually, he ran out of money and, turning to [LSU] President Smith, says, 'Jimmie, you got any money?' Jimmie produced a big roll of bills and the 'dole' continued." Governor Long wrote, "Touchdown for LSU," which is still played before every game.
But for every piece of history that has gone into the foundation of the program, the players and the fans have added that much and more. From a stadium that Alabama Coach Bear Bryant called, "The worst place in the world for a visiting team," to a live tiger on campus, from the touchdown celebration that measured on a campus richter scale to an unbeaten season in 1958 that featured a defensive squad that so notoriously punished opponents that they became knows as the Chinese Bandits, the program is colorful, lively, and vigorous.
It's about the Golden Band from Tigerland, whose awards range from the Sudler Trophy, to being unanimously voted best in the SEC by SEC band directors, to winning ESPN's Battle of the Bands in 2008, to it's induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. It's about fresh cooked alligator at tailgate parties. It's about the imposing mystique of Death Valley on a Saturday night. It's about the cheerleaders riding into the stadium on top of a cage containing a live tiger. It's about a young boy standing next to his father, basking in the sensory overload of Tiger Stadium. It's about the sign in front of the church my brother in law pastors (pictured at right). It's about Les Miles describing an LSU defender leveling an opponent by calmly saying, "The contact that takes place when our defense is on the field is very sincere…" It's about a team that faced adversity from day one, with an opener against a highly ranked opponent amidst disciplinary issues that took starting players out of the game. It's about a team that gets behind, but doesn't give up. It's about digging deep when you're spent, and finding the fortitude to keep going. It's about skill and talent, yes,..but ultimately it's about heart. It's about having the heart to get up one more time than your opponent, because that's what defines champions.
For the first time since 1958, the Tigers are unbeaten. Having handily defeated highly ranked teams from other conferences, in addition to winning their division and their conference, they now move to the National Championship game in New Orleans. On one hand, it is tempting to lament that they face an opponent that won neither a division nor a conference championship, and have defeated that team once already. On the other hand, in recent years, the best of the SEC has consistently pounded the best of the other conferences in the National Championship game, and Alabama has steamrolled every opponent with the exception of LSU. Either point of view has good standing in my opinion at least, which won't get you a cup of coffee anywhere. But, since this year's game is essentially a family feud between Alabama (is it a tide or an elephant?) and LSU, expect a slug fest. They are the only teams that held either of these powerhouses in check all season. It's about a championship. And it's about time we get this settled, …again, ...right Bama?
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Jun '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
May your Tigers be victorious Monday night! I know I am rooting them on! I may even break out a bit of purple and gold.
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
As my friend Alphonse would say, "Me, I admire yo patriotism."
Jul '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
My favorite quote about Wheat's Louisiana Tigers comes from Stonewall Jackson, who was at first not too well disposed to them when they joined his command in the Shenandoah. "Thoughtless fellows," he said, "for such desperate work." And arguably LSU's roots extend to the pre-war Louisiana Seminary of Learning and Military Academy in Alexandria, whose first superintendent was William Tecumseh Sherman.
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Yes, well, we have a history of overcoming adversity.
Sep '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
I didn't know this about the Tigers, Dave. Great history lesson. It reminds me that when my oldest brother was drafted in the late 1960s he trained as part of Tigerland, the toughest training camp at Fort Polk, its recruits expecting to be sent to Vietnam. He had always been a kind of nerdy skinny guy and for the first time developed muscles and stamina. He didn't end up going to Vietnam, but that's a very long separate story.
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Leslie, my great great grandparents lived right next to Ft. Polk. We used to visit them when I was a little guy. In fact, their house and property is still in our family, and we spend a good deal of time there as a place to get away, a place for reunions, holidays, etc. One of my cousins, an Army Major, trained at Ft. Polk as well.
Sep '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Gotta be the hottest, driest place on earth! Two dear friends grew up in nearby DeRidder (which I think means "The Knight" in Dutch or whatever language it's from), so I've spent many a day exploring that part of the state. ... It's nice to have another connection to it. ... I'll be thinking of you on Monday night! (I'm kinda scared, actually, and am wondering if I should watch; you know, that jinxy feeling you get. But I do loves me some Les Miles.) And of course I'm rooting for the Saints tonight. What an incredible sports weekend!
Dec '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
It's just a shame that this idiotic BCS system doesn't give LSU the chance to prove what I truly believe - that they belong in the pantheon of the greatest college teams ever. Playing a team that didn't win their division, never mind their conference, for the national championship makes about as much sense as Obamacare.
Good luck to the Tigers.
Jun '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
May your Tigers do unto Bama what your Tigers did unto my Tigers (Auburn). Life around here will be far more tolerable if LSU hoists the trophy. Make it 3 years, 3 different SEC West National Champions.
May '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
(Sorry, Dave - can't resist...)
With LSU and 'Bama in the BCS Championship Game, I understand "Hooked on Phonics" is working to become the title sponsor.
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Leaux bleaux, Matt.
May '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Just don't tell Alphonse, Dave. I don't want to face that hurricane.
Apr '11
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
As a born and bred Mississippian whose favorite teams must face both of these insufferable teams year after year -- may they both lose! Just kidding..... I am delighted that the SEC will provide the National Champion once again. On the field, these two proved they were the two best in the country. And through 60 minutes of football, they were equal. In the old days of my youth, they would have wound up with identical records, with only a tie to the other as a blemish. No one would bemoan a rematch if we still had tie games in college football.
I look forward to an exciting game decided by a 2-point conversion in the third overtime.
Jun '11
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Didn't Sherman help get LSU off the ground after the war?
Dave Carter
Yes, well, we have a history of overcoming adversity. · Jan 7 at 7:54am
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Fricosis Guy: Didn't Sherman help get LSU off the ground after the war?
Dave Carter
Yes, well, we have a history of overcoming adversity. · Jan 7 at 7:54am
Jan 7 at 9:53am
I'll have to research that one. I really don't know.
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
"Ye of little faith..." Just kidding, Ken. Thanks for the kind words, and you're right. Had the first contest been a tie, no one would be as quick to begrudge a rematch.
Jun '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Dave: Go LSU!! And let us not forget that Alabama's last bowl loss was its drubbing by my Utah Utes in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Yes, that would be my "undefeated" Utah Utes.
I try not to be a hater. But does anyone besides me HATE the BCS?!!!!!
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
Fricosis Guy: Didn't Sherman help get LSU off the ground after the war?
Jan 7 at 9:53a
Fricosis Guy, I found this on the school's website. Evidently, Sherman didn't help the school get off the ground after the war, but at least prevented some of it from being burned to the ground:
1861
(January) State militia takes control of the federal garrison known as the Baton Rouge Arsenal. Only later would Louisiana officially secede from the Union. Col. Sherman resigns.
(April) Student and faculty begin resigning in order to enlist in the Confederate cause.
(June 31) Seminary closes.
1862
(April 1) Seminary reopens under the Rev. W.E.M. Linfield as acting superintendent.
1863
(April 1) Prof. William A. Seay becomes superintendent.
(April 23) Seminary closes after invasion of Red River Valley by federal forces under Gen. Banks. Military equipment donated to the Confederate Army, but library and other items destroyed by order of Gen. T. Kilby Smith of the U.S. Army. Structure saved thanks to Gen. W.T. Sherman.
1865
(April) The Civil War ends.
(October 2) Seminary reopens and David F. Boyd is superintendent.
Dec '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
tabula rasa: Dave: Go LSU!! And let us not forget that Alabama's last bowl loss was its drubbing by my Utah Utes in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Yes, that would be my "undefeated" Utah Utes.
I try not to be a hater. But does anyone besides me HATE the BCS?!!!!! · Jan 7 at 10:13am
See my post #8.
Jun '10
Re: The Heart of a Champion, through the Eye of the Tiger
The Great Adventure!
tabula rasa: Dave: Go LSU!! And let us not forget that Alabama's last bowl loss was its drubbing by my Utah Utes in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Yes, that would be my "undefeated" Utah Utes.
I try not to be a hater. But does anyone besides me HATE the BCS?!!!!! · Jan 7 at 10:13am
See my post #8. · Jan 7 at 10:22am
Amen, brother. How hard would it be to at least give us a final four? Then build on it later. I bet it's popularity would within a decade get us to a 16-team tournament.