[2][4] The band experienced growth when Louisiana governor Huey P. Long took an interest in increasing LSU's national prominence.

In an oral history about the governor, Mary Hebert addressed Huey Long's preoccupation with the band improving the university became one of his pet projects.

Beyond his musical leadership, he played a pivotal role in changing LSU’s official colors from blue and white to purple and gold.

By the early 1900s, the Cadet Band had evolved into a marching unit, performing on statewide tours and at Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

Initially dedicated to military events, the band gradually expanded its focus to include athletic performances, marking its first halftime show in 1924.

Significant growth occurred under the leadership of Louisiana governor Huey P. Long, who recognized the potential for the band to elevate LSU's national profile.

In an oral history, Mary Hebert noted that Long's commitment to the band was one of his key initiatives for the university(Pet Projects).

Long appointed university president James Monroe Smith and brought in Castro Carazo, the orchestra leader at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, as the new band director.

Following Long's passing, however, there were significant shifts at LSU, with many of his changes reversed amid concerns regarding governance and scandals; Carazo was ultimately let go, and military uniforms were reinstated.

Many significant changes occurred during this era, including rebuilding the band hall after a fire in 1958 and the establishment of the Ballet Corps (now known as the Golden Girls) in 1959 under director Thomas Tyra.

Notably, three exceptional women have served as drum majors for the Tiger Band: Kristie Smith (1999), Mindy Hebert (2000), and Mary Bahlinger (2014).

[5] He picked the university's president, James Monroe Smith, and hired a new band director, Castro Carazo, the orchestra leader at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans.

[7] Years after Long's assassination, many of the changes he made to the band and to the university were reversed as part of a backlash against his control over LSU and the associated scandals; for instance, Carazo was fired, and the military uniforms were reinstated.

The trophy was presented to Director Swor by Meredith (The Music Man) Willson, confirming LSU's prominence among the country's top university marching bands.

[8] Three women have led Tiger Band as drum majors: Kristie Smith (1999) season, Mindy Hebert (2000), and Mary Bahlinger (2014).

Each band played a version of John Williams's Indiana Jones theme, and ESPN posted the videos online for fans to vote.

Then, while playing the introduction to "Touchdown for LSU," the band begins to run in tempo through the streets and down the hill amidst the crowd of cheering fans.

The band marches out of the end zone to the beat of a single bass drum in fronts separated by five-yard intervals.

To the sound of a fast-paced drum cadence, the band returns to the original "LSU" formation facing the west side of the stadium and replays the "First Down Cheer" as the crowd responds.

On a few occasions, Tigerama was a traveling showcase for the Band Department at various performance venues throughout the state, such as the Saenger Theater in New Orleans.

This is also the only time when the Golden Girls and Color Guard change their look and don special red, white, and blue uniforms for the performance.

LSU Salutes, generally celebrated during Veterans Day weekend, is a set of events that recognizes cadets who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

[15] Members of the LSU Color Guard perform at halftime In August 2017, Tiger Band purchased new uniforms that continued the more recent tradition of purple pants and gold coats with Greek key trim, a motif that can be found on the outside of Thomas Boyd Hall and David Boyd Hall on LSU's campus.

Also, members of the band join arm-in-arm at the end of rehearsals on Saturday game days and sing the "Alma Mater" before leaving the practice facility.

This song is played most notably during pregame, during the march down Victory Hill, and at the beginning of the fourth quarter of each football game.

It has been said that years later, Clemson's band director was in Baton Rouge one 1942 Saturday night, and brought it back to South Carolina as his prized possession.

Upon the scoring of a touchdown, the band plays the "Hold that Tiger" portion of the song, which concludes with a "T-I-G-E-R-S" cheer from the crowd.

LSU's matching funds were provided from athletics ticket sales and private donors raised approximately $2 million toward construction of the facility.

During pre-season camp and on all Saturday home game days, the band uses the LSU Indoor Practice Facility that is part of the Football Operations Center.

LSU Tigers football Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold LSU Tigers men's basketball Venues Culture & lore People Seasons NCAA Final Four appearances in italics Marching bands of the Southeastern Conference Fight songs of the Southeastern Conference Sudler Trophy recipients Authority control databases International National Artists