Quick Post-Shreveport Notes from the Road

[Bamabuzzard]

I am an LSU grad living in Shreveport and I wasn't able to go to the game, but I was rooting for Alabama. While I like my town and my team, I have noticed that LSUmania has struck Shreveport in the last couple of years. Shreveport has a large number of LSU "fans" that associate themselves as such simply by buying an LSU sweatshirt at Wal Mart. Unfortunately, many of these people have no other association or affiliation with LSU and many have likely never stepped foot on campus. These are the "fans" that I have always found to be the element giving LSU fans a bad name, whether it be at the Indy Bowl or at Tiger Stadium. These "fans" are in it for the party (drinking) just as much if not more than the game. A lot of these people seem to be a little rougher around the edges before they put on their superfan hats. I apologize for any troubles you had with so-called LSU "fans" at the Indy Bowl. LSU has a very strong LSU alumni base, and I can assure that true LSU fans were not those giving you problems.

I live in Shreveport as well. I've lived here for twelve years and have watched a non existant fanbase emerge out of nowhere. When I first moved here you couldn't find an LSU fan. You saw Texas, OU and La Tech stuff more than you did LSU stuff. With the recent success it seems everybody is an LSU fan and has been their entire life.

My opinion, every fanbase has their idiots. It's just LSU's "idiots" seem to be larger than most other fanbase's "idiots" as witnessed AGAIN at the I-Bowl this year. I've never seen a city go out of it's way to make sure that one fanbase shows up to a bowl that they aren't even in soley to ruin another fanbase's experience. That is trash if you ask me. The local media used air time to encourage it. Tim Fletcher was the local personality that was promoting it. And he's not even an LSU fan but an Arkansas Razorback fan. But he absolutely hates Alabama.

 

[BamaScooter16]

The local media used air time to encourage it. Tim Fletcher was the local personality that was promoting it. And he's not even an LSU fan but an Arkansas Razorback fan. But he absolutely hates Alabama.

Well, I guess that what goes around comes around. Here is the state of that media clown's beloved UPig:

1. Got beat by Bama when they clearly should have won the game

2. Got their much vaunted two running backs SHUT DOWN by the barn

3. Said running backs will surely enter the NFL draft, thereby ending any hopes for a winning season in the near future

4. Got their butts handed to them by Mizzou in the Cotton Bowl

Thats what you get when you stir up trouble...... :BigA:

 

[summus78]

I actually heard more Bama fans being jerks to LSU folks than the other way around. People yelling after the game "LS WHO." "What do you think now, LSU fans?" Stuff like that. It was pretty uncalled for, especially considering they did beat us and are now playing in the championship game, while we are 7-6 with a slim Indy Bowl victory. Sometimes, it is better to just keep your mouth shut.

I live in "Sleezeport" and do not have the issues with LSU fans some of you have. Most that I deal with daily are good folks who support their team, could care less about Saban, will give a little good-natured razzing when needed and take it when given. I imagine Baton Rouge LSU fans are different, but I don't mind the ones here, and have only met one who really rubbed me wrong.

Here are my notes from the game:

1) The turnout on the Colorado side was downright shameful
2) Neither band is very good. I think the MDB leaves a lot to be desired on the field. In the stands, both bands could learn to quit stepping all over each other when the other is playing. It got annoying when all you hear is a garbled mix of the two.
3) Fans around where I was sitting were very into the game for the first quarter and then died until the last few minutes. Seemed to match what was happening with the game.
4) Jimmy Johns was the one player who was constantly trying to get the fans into the game. They would respond briefly to his cheerleading, but it would die. He would go again and again. I was actually pleased to see him acting the way he did. Here's hoping he gets a chance to shine next year.

Jimmy Johns was also trying pretty hard to get people pummed up at the ULM game. One of the only bright spots for me. I was pretty surprised to see that since I read a lot of rumors saying he had attitude problems and the like... but he came out every special teams play and really worked the crowd.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Pouting on the sidelines is not one of his problems...

 

[Bamabuzzard]

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080102/SPORTS0401/801020311/1001/SPORTS

Here's a link to an article written in today's paper about the treatment of Bama fans at the I-Bowl. For those that continue to believe this is being blown out of proportion and people are making a bigger deal of it than what it is...

 

[TexasTideFan]

I live in Shreveport as well. I've lived here for twelve years and have watched a non existant fanbase emerge out of nowhere. When I first moved here you couldn't find an LSU fan.

I'm from Monroe and it's like that over there as well. Used to be, the only fans were the alumni. Now it's obscene with the level of t-shirt fans. I guess that's a good thing because they are the flagship school in the state but it's the yahoos that throw their LSU shirts and spew venom and act like 6 year olds that turn me off from LSU.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm from Monroe and it's like that over there as well. Used to be, the only fans were the alumni. Now it's obscene with the level of t-shirt fans. I guess that's a good thing because they are the flagship school in the state but it's the yahoos that throw their LSU shirts and spew venom and act like 6 year olds that turn me off from LSU.

What I find funny is a guy at my office who is in the "all fanbases have their idiots but most LSU fans pull for Bama in OOC games" party, NEVER comes to my office after a bama win but is standing at my office door first thing Monday morning when we lose.

I've also wondered something else. This same guy says that most LSU fans have nothing against Bama and have let the Saban thing go. Yet I ask him then why is it I encounter more LSU fans that dispise Bama and can't hardly find a soul that "has moved on" and will actually pull for Bama in OOC games?

UH, UH, UH then long blank stare...

 

[NYBamaFan]

What I find funny is a guy at my office who is in the "all fanbases have their idiots but most LSU fans pull for Bama in OOC games" party, NEVER comes to my office after a bama win but is standing at my office door first thing Monday morning when we lose.

I've also wondered something else. This same guy says that most LSU fans have nothing against Bama and have let the Saban thing go. Yet I ask him then why is it I encounter more LSU fans that dispise Bama and can't hardly find a soul that "has moved on" and will actually pull for Bama in OOC games?

UH, UH, UH then long blank stare...

Generally, with these relationships, you get what you give...

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Generally, with these relationships, you get what you give...

You would think that would be the case...

 

[bear facts]

Here is a little synopsis of my experience. Glad to see some of these other posts or I might have refrained from adding this here. Didn't want anyone thinking I was making this stuff up. Finding out about the local Shreveport sports show request explains some of the "LSU-ness" I observed.


Though my son and I did not personally encounter the taunting or crazy LSU antics/confrontations that I'm sure occurred, I could not believe what we witnessed. It appeared as if the LSU fanbase had actually organized some sort of "LSU sit-in/stand-in rally" for the I-Bowl. Too many of these folks showed up for something not to have been orchestrated or planned. Though the older Tiger fans seemed to be there to support the SEC, another faction was also there to simply flaunt their "LSU-corndogness."

In fact, as we made our way into the stadium, my son made the comment that it looked more like we were going to an ALABAMA/LSU game than to the one that was playing. There was even a truck set up for tailgating that had a large inflatable LSU Tiger blown up in its truckbed. And I could not believe the number of LSU fans that showed up wearing their LSU game-day apparel and regalia. It's one thing to show school pride, but it's another thing to walk around like a bunch of coon-... peacocks, as if to say, "Look at me, I'm a LSU fan." And yes, you could tell there was a contingent of LSU fans looking for trouble, and I'm sure some of them found it, too.

What I really found ridiculous and down-right laughable, though, happened right before the game started as I was standing in line at the concession stand. First, I look over to the line next to mine and there is this one token Auburn fan decked out as if he's attending a game at Jordan Hare. The Bama fan in front of me turned and joked about how the Barner couldn't even find his way to Atlanta.

It was then that I noticed the person waiting directly behind me was dressed in Colorado gear. The guy donned a nice Colorado sock cap, Colorado sweatshirt, and jacket. So trying to be hospitable, I started to strike up a conversation and things went like this:

Me: "So how far did you have to travel to make this game?

Fan in Colorado garb: "Oh, I'm not a Colorado fan; I'm a LSU fan and I hate Alabama!"

I almost busted out laughing in dude's face, thinking this guy just spent at least a $100.00 dollars on Colorado stuff and he ain't even a Colorado fan, but I was able to keep composed and continued on with the next question.

Me: "Well tell me then, why do you hate Alabama like you do?"

Pseudo-Colorado-Incognito-LSU fan: "Because y'all took Saban from us."

Me: "Excuse me, say what?"

Pseudo-Colorado-Incognito-LSU fan: "Y'all took Saban from LSU."

Me: "If I'm not mistaken, Saban left LSU to go coach the Miami Dolphins."

Pseudo-Colorado-Incognito-LSU fan: "He did, but y'all paid him $4 million dollars to leave and become the head coach at Alabama."

Me: "Has the thought ever occurred to you that if Alabama hadn't made Saban such an offer that some other university would have?"

Pseudo-Colorado-Incognito-LSU fan: "It don't matter; he's still y'all's coach."

Me: "Yes he is, but let me ask you this: why should Bama having Saban even bother you? LSU has Les Miles."

I wish you could have seen the look that came over this fella's face. You could tell the guy wanted to say something but either couldn't get it out or didn't quite know how to say it. But after an awkward pause he finally replied as serious as can be.

Pseudo-Colorado-Incognito-LSU fan: "That's the problem; I don't know what to think of Les Miles."

Me: "I guess you'll find out in two or three years from now."

Pseudo-Colorado-Incognito-LSU fan: "I guess so."

End of conversation.


Yes, the LSU fandom's appearance & behavior at the Independence Bowl was truly a bizarre demonstration.

Other than having to endure that "jilted LSU mentality," I'm glad we made the trip. My son and I had a great time. We even found the four drunks in front of us an entertaining bunch.

 

[LSUray]

Actually, the attendance of people wearing LSU gear at the Indy Bowl is not out of the ordinary, and, even though I was not there, I doubt it was significantly greater than normal this year. There is always a large LSU contingent at the Indy Bowl regardless of the teams playing. However, like I said before there now seems to be an increased number of t-shirt fans in Shreveport.

 

[FAYETTE4BAMA]

You are right about that. Just wondering why the heck LSU fans would waste good money to boo at Saban though? Must be pretty boring in Shreveprt??

That fact and any excuse to drink and heckle is more than they can resist!:cool2:

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Actually, the attendance of people wearing LSU gear at the Indy Bowl is not out of the ordinary, and, even though I was not there, I doubt it was significantly greater than normal this year. There is always a large LSU contingent at the Indy Bowl regardless of the teams playing. However, like I said before there now seems to be an increased number of t-shirt fans in Shreveport.

Actually it was much greater than last year but that is neither here nor there. The bottom line is this thing has gotten way out of hand and for people who like to go to a game with their family many are having their experience ruined. Is it thousands of people experiencing this at one game? No I doubt it. But when it's you and your family that is getting the brunt end of the altercation it doesn't matter at that point how many others are being subjected to it. And to those that think people are making too big of a deal about it. It's "no big deal", " until it's your family's experience that gets ruined because of some wild liquored up yahoo.

And aside from the LSU/Indy Bowl experience it's happening too much around the country, not JUST with LSU fans. Go yell for your team, give and take some friendly banter but don't ruin another person's or family's experience. That to me is crossing the line. At the end of the day it's a game and games are intended to be fun and it experiencing them is suppose to be fun for those playing AND watching. I think if the "good fans" from ALL fanbases would "call out" and begin taking up for the rival fans that are being subjected to abusive behavior by one of their own then this might begin to stop.

I watched an LSU fan last year tell a total stranger LSU fan (at the I-Bowl) that was getting out of control toward a Bama fan and his family to "SHUT UP, SIT DOWN or LEAVE. There's no place for that here." I was very impressed and this needs to happen more within all fanbases.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Pseudo-Colorado-Incognito-LSU fan: "That's the problem; I don't know what to think of Les Miles."

At that point, you should have shown true compassion. You could say "I have couch in the back of my truck. Come, let's let you recline and tell me all about it..."

 

[J4Bama]

I apologize for any troubles you had with so-called LSU "fans" at the Indy Bowl. LSU has a very strong LSU alumni base, and I can assure that true LSU fans were not those giving you problems.

We saw LSU fans in their motor homes (one even had the 2003 National Championship on it with Saban's picture) giving people grief. If you dump that much money into a motor home and travel, I consider you to be a true fan of that school.

 

[beardensdaman44]

I saw many many MANY LSU Rv's. I did see a TExas ,arkanslaw, Okrahoma and Tutorsee but they were no problem. I actually *cough cough big gulp of pride* liked having one or two fans of other teams there. It is fun to talk to others about different things. All of the CU people I talked to were great. I even got to chat with a couple of their players post game and they were nice even in defeat. Bottom line was that my friend and I had to move so that we could away from all the drunk LSU fans around us. I left because it got to the point where stuff this idiot was saying was starting to get personal. Most of the LSU tater logs that were there were arrogant and very inconsiderate. I will gladly put up with those morons down there to watch another Bama game, but eventually something is gotta give and it could end up ugly between a group of people.

 

[MalletMan]

http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z62/jones398/Corndogs/?action=view&current=corndogs2.jpg

You can't make this stuff up.

 

[NYBamaFan]

You got somthing against corndogs? :wink:

 

[bear facts]

Here's an excerpt from the following Shreveport Times article, addressing the LSU behavior at this year's Independence Bowl:

"Time to get over this whole Saban thing. Nick Saban is the football coach at Alabama. It is a fact of life that some segments of LSU fandom apparently don't want to accept.

Because of this denial, some people — not all — do some crazy things.

Here is an excerpt from an e-mail sent by an Alabama fan who attended Sunday's game.

'I just want to let you know how very impressed we were with the downtown area of Shreveport. We all thought that the city was beautiful. I'm writing you this email because I wanted to let someone know about our experience this year at the bowl game.

We all made the decision that if Bama ever made it back to the I-Bowl we would not attend, because of our experience during the game. We were harassed all game by the number of LSU fans that showed up not only to pull against Bama, but to curse at us, flip us off, and try to entice us into fights. There were three fights that happened around us, and all of them involved an LSU fan and Bama fan.'

This insanity in the name of being a so-called intense LSU fan needs to stop.

Yes, boo Saban all you want — just like you would Urban Meyer or Tommy Tuberville. But don't go over the line to where you are affecting other people — and even bowl games."

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080102/SPORTS0401/801020311/1001/SPORTS

 

[tru2thaduce]

I would return if Bama played in the I Bowl.I had a great time the last two years.I wouldn't let anyone ruin my fun.By harrassing people,The corndogs want them to not return.If you don't go back then they win.But ive got a feeling we won't see Shreveport for a long while.