BATON ROUGE, La. (WGNO) – When it’s time for practice, the Golden Band from Tigerland is usually a week ahead of itself, but with a surprise game happening on home turf, Tiger musicians are hustling to learn some last minute music.
Band Director Roy King came up with the idea. He prepared the band for the possibility on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, the sheet music was distributed for the University of South Carolina fight song, “Step to the Rear,” and the USC Alma Mater.
“We’re gonna do something a little special here on our end, because we know they’re not able to send their band,” says King.
There’s a flood of compassion on the Baton Rouge campus.
Captain of the LSU Color Guard, Hannah Brown, says she hopes the music gives USC students a sense of camaraderie. “Because down here in Louisiana we all understand the flooding situation and we understand hurricanes—and it’s not an easy thing to go through,” says Brown.
LSU Freshman Stewart Hooper agrees. “I mean after Katrina everybody focused on the Saints to be a big distraction and that helped when we won, so hopefully they can have the same thing,” he says.
But to be clear, he’s still rooting for a Tiger win this Saturday.
King remembers a time when LSU was on the receiving end of a favor like this one. It was about 10 years ago, when an LSU home game had to be relocated after Katrina.
“I was with the pep band that went to Arizona State for that game. We took 110 students to the Arizona State game and of course it was deemed a home game for LSU and we did win,” King says with a smile.
Tiger students are happy to host the Gamecocks and can appreciate what hearing a team fight song means to school spirit.
“Oh, it’s one of the main things you have to do for the game—hear your fight song—so I guess that’s why they’re gonna play theirs. It’s gonna feel great for them,” says LSU freshman Alexander Gonzalez.
Emotions are strong for South Carolina, but there’s only one team students here want to see win.
Who better to express the mixed emotions than Captain of the LSU Golden Girls, Elizabeth Babin?
“I’ll always support my Tigers but definitely have a special place for South Carolina in my heart, just knowing what they’re going through,” she says.
