Gumbo for the Tiger Soul: It's More Than Just a Football Game.

by Ces Guerra

Overview

Gumbo for the Tiger Soul is a collection of personal stories covering great and not so great moments in LSU football history over nearly 50 years. The stories have been contributed by friends, former football players, fans, band members, dancers, color guard and LSU staff. They offer a unique perspective that includes the emotions and feelings Tiger fans have experienced. Reading this book will trigger memories of games that you witnessed in person or TV. With gumbo as the undercurrent theme of the book, the chapters have clever titles - mostly ingredients of gumbo. Also, each chapter is followed by a great Cajun recipe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496924629
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	07/15/2014
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.37(d)

Read an Excerpt

Gumbo for the Tiger Soul

It's more than just a football game

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By Ces Guerra

AuthorHouse LLC

Copyright © 2014 Ces Guerra
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4969-2462-9

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CHAPTER 1

Preparations

My Early Tiger Memories

Preparing my gumbo involves various customary and personal traditions. I'll search for old family recipes or use one from a good cookbook like River Roads Recipes. Getting ready also involves inviting friends over for to enjoy this Cajun treat. That's what I'm doing now. This is your virtual ticket to many Saturday nights in Tiger Stadium, which includes all those things you have grown to expect. You know, the Tiger Band blasting Pre-Game, Hold That Tiger and Chinese Bandits. Visualize the students performing hand gestures in unison or smell the aroma of salty popcorn, hotdogs and nachos coming from the jam-packed concession stands.

My early memories of the LSU football phenomenon may be different than most. Nevertheless, I became entwined in this cultural tradition of Louisiana because of its tasty goodness. GFTS may even cause you to think back to your first memories of the stately oaks on campus or your first smell of Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. LSU football is an integral part of the educational experience at our university. We must balance our academic responsibilities with the preparations for our Saturday visit to the cathedral of football worship. However, for the purposes of this collection of stories, I'll happily avoid writing about math classes in Lockett Hall or English classes in Allen Hall. I'll also leave out the details of those forgettable all-night study sessions in Middleton Library, which often concluded face down in a puddle of drool in a semi-private cubicle.

My first visit to Tiger Stadium was on a family trip from New Orleans to Lafayette during summer in the mid-1960s. It was one of those hot, humid south Louisiana days that causes your t-shirt to stick to you like Saran Wrap around fresh ground meat. I must have been about seven or eight years old. We took a side trip off Airline Highway to visit the LSU campus and circle the stadium. This skinny, naïve kid didn't quite know what to make of this pantheon of concrete and steel as I wasn't a football fan yet. I barely knew what football was, and I had never stepped inside a football stadium. We drove purposefully around the west side of the stadium gazing upon the massive structure standing on the LSU campus just off Nicholson Road. Eager to visit our friends in Lafayette, we continued our trip leaving Tiger Stadium behind. I was completely oblivious to the fact that many great memories would be made in and around Ground Zero for LSU fans. That was the inauspicious beginning of my gumbo.

In a recent conversation with LSU Athletic Director, Joe Alleva, he emphasized his commitment to restoring Tiger Stadium to its once gleaming new condition. "It's usually the first place people come to when they visit LSU, and we must make a great first impression," he said. My first impression on that summer visit nearly 50 years ago left an indelible stamp in my mind, even if I didn't realize it at the time. Alleva's efforts have made an impressive and significant impact in the appearance of Tiger Stadium. Construction and renovations continue at this writing with the expansion of the South End Zone Stadium Club and various beautification projects around the stadium. This work will ensure that kids visiting the home of the Tigers in the future will leave with a wonderful impression just like I did way back then.

I snuck in to Tiger Stadium on September 11, 1976. It was my second trip there, and it was equally memorable. I was a freshman at Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) in Hammond, Louisiana. My friend, John Farhmann, and our dates were attending an LSU Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) event that night. At the TKE House, I ran in to a couple of O. P. Walker High School (OPW) classmates from New Orleans— Tony Petrocco and Jack Wade. Being an introvert and a bit nervous about my visit to LSU, I was happy to see familiar faces. A plan was quickly hatched and a group of us made a mad dash across the dimly lit campus to catch the final minutes of the Saturday night spectacle that was LSU football. The game against Nebraska was nearly over and the gates were unattended at that point, so we just scurried in through Gate 8 on the NE corner of Tiger Stadium. I got to see the final minutes of the 6 – 6 tie from one of the lower portals. The bright lights, the electric buzz and the unmistakable smell of bourbon in the air were permanently etched upon my mind.

Rob Williams, my long-time friend from New Orleans was there that night too. We go as far back as Ms. Girard's 3rd grade class at Alice Harte Elementary school, and graduated together from OPW in May 1976. His reflections on that game are much different than mine, but are every bit as significant. Here are his memories:

"I played in Tiger Band from '76 to '81 and never missed a game. As a freshman in Tiger Band that season, my only specific memory was that moment as I stood on the field drumming out the intro to the pre-game salute. We all turned 45 degrees to the left and the horns let those famous four notes fly. For those unfamiliar with those four notes, they are the four most powerful notes that bring Tiger fans to frenzy, the beginning of Tiger pre-game ceremonies Duh, da, duh, da! Every current and former band member, along with every LSU fan, knows that when those four notes fly, it's time to rumble. It's our personal cavalry call. At that moment, all hell broke loose. I actually had trouble hearing my own snare drum and an electric chill ran up my spine. There's absolutely nothing like being on the field in Tiger Stadium during the pregame salute as the Tiger fans let loose. The Tiger Band upperclassmen had warned us freshmen about how loud the crowd would be, but we were still unprepared. I ended up marching every pre-game show in Tiger Stadium for the next five years. That chill ran up my spine every time, and the chills still do. I have such fond memories of my time in the Tiger Band."

Another OPW classmate, Steve Tomberlin, was also there the night of my second visit to Tiger Stadium. His perspective as a Tiger alum is different, however, because he had moved from Oklahoma to New Orleans a few years earlier. He was brought up an Oklahoma Sooners fan, so that same night was his first introduction to what would become his new team in Tiger Stadium. His perspective and memory of this game is a mixture of football lore, a combination of his upbringing and his newfound passion for Tiger gumbo. This is what he remembered:

"All my family roots were from Oklahoma. As such, I had grown up rooting for the Sooners and hating the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I still have emotional scars from the Nebraska win over Oklahoma on Thanksgiving Day, 1971. As a freshman at LSU, my very first game in Tiger Stadium was our unranked Tigers playing the #1 ranked Huskers. My ancient nemesis was here on my turf, and I expected to see them destroy my new team. The atmosphere was electric as whisky-filled flasks were passed around and cheers of "Tiger Bait" flew around the student section. I had never seen students that intense and frenzied at any game, much less by 70,000 crazed fans who shared the same passion. Our Fightin' Tigers spoiled the Husker's season opener with a 6 - 6 tie. It was sweet revenge for the 1971 disappointment. From that day forward I was an avid believer in the Tigers and the power of Death Valley on Saturday."

The mystical power of Tiger Stadium had worked its magic—just like the culinary power of a great gumbo converting a virgin consumer. Rob's memory of the Tiger Band, while on the field for Tiger Pre-game during the 1976 Nebraska game is unique in its own way, and Steve's viewpoint from the student section that same night offers an interesting perspective as well. Remember ... it's more than just a football game.

So, let's get started with the recipes. Hopefully, you've worked up an appetite by now. This one was sent to me by one of my friends and former LSU star from the '80s, Ruffin Rodrigue. He now owns and operates Ruffino's restaurants in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Ruffin sent me Chef Peter Sclafani III's specialty.

Ruffinos Corn and Crab Bisque

Ingredients:

2 quarts crab or chicken stock
12 ears of sweet white corn
1 cup butter
1/2 cup peeled and chopped onion
1 tsp. garlic
1 cup flour
2 tsp. granulated crab boil
1/2 cup sugar
Sea salt to taste
1 tsp. ground white pepper
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 lbs. jumbo lump crabmeat
1 bunch sliced green onions

Instructions:

Heat the crab or chicken stock in a sauce pot to a simmer. Remove the kernels from the corn by cutting them off the cobs with a knife. Using the back of the knife, scrape the cob to remove the milk of the corn. Set the kernels and scrapings aside, and add the cobs to the stock. In a large heavy-bottomed stockpot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the corn and cook until it begins to get soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, making a white roux. Do not let it brown. Whisk in the stock, stirring to get out the lumps. Add the crab boil, sugar, sea salt and white pepper. Cook and stir until the soup thickens and just begins to boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer while stirring to make sure the flour does not scorch the bottom of the pot. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes for the flavors to come together, and then remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream, crabmeat and green onions. Serve hot.

CHAPTER 2

Creating the Roux

LSU vs. Florida State November 20, 1982

The ingredients for gumbo aren't particularly complicated. But as any chef knows, the soup of joy begins with the roux. Along with the Cajun Trinity, the roux is part of the critical foundation for a well-prepared gumbo. This carefully blended concoction of flour and oil, stirred vigorously over high heat, forms into a thick soupy paste to which all the other ingredients are added. When thinking about LSU games in the form of a roux, I think back to one that created the foundation of my Tiger gumbo.

It was the fall of 1982, my second year at LSU. I was starting to get into the swing of things, my grades were improving and my interest in LSU football was intensifying. I lived with my housemates, Deek De Bleiux and Glenn Weiss, at 1375 W. Chimes Street in a small three bedroom rental house behind the LSU Veterinary School. It was an easy walk over to the games on Saturday nights, and getting into games free with only the punch of your Student ID card was unbeatable. The Tigers were coming off a forgettable season in 1981, finishing 3-7-1. As always, the next season was approached with high hopes. The Tigers were led by Quarterback Alan Risher and a pair of young running backs named Dalton Hilliard and Garry James. The moniker, Hilliard-James Gang, soon became widely used in media circles. Head Coach Jerry Stovall had the boys finely tuned with the assistance of Offensive Coordinator Mack Brown. We slaughtered our early opponents, managed a tie against Tennessee, dismantled the Bear Bryant-led Crimson Tide but then lost to Mississippi State, of all things. LSU had managed to wiggle its way into the Orange Bowl conversation and a victory over our next opponent, the Florida State Seminoles, would clinch the invitation. In the early '80s, there weren't many post-season bowl games, not like the present day circus with nearly 40 bowls. Needless to say, the discussion around a potential invitation to a major bowl game was met with unbridled exuberance by all LSU fans, especially the students. With the outstanding performance to date, the Tigers catapulted into the national conversation. Our next game presented a crucial opportunity after a few seasons of mediocrity. The anticipation around campus for the November 20, 1982 game against the Seminoles was at a fever pitch.

On game days, Deek and I would set up our outdoor volleyball set on the Parade Ground near the Student Union and play hotly contested games with our New Orleans friends, Paul Baudean, Anne Dawson, Jane Saunders and others. This day was no different. Our pick-up games of four-on-four volleyball were intense and about as much fun as you could imagine before the game. If you think about how jam-packed with tailgaters the Parade Ground is nowadays, try to imagine zero tailgating in that area. Yes, really! Back in the early '80s the Parade Ground was an enormous empty playground. After packing our volleyball equipment and running to the store to search for oranges, we found none. The grocery stores had been plundered already. So, we returned home to make preparations for the post-game party. Later, Deek, Glenn and I walked over with our dates and parted ways into the sea of humanity in the NW corner of Tiger Stadium.

I didn't know him at the time, but my future financial advisor, Stephen "Moe" Allain, was in the stadium that night. We met about 15 years ago when we were both working in the pharmaceutical industry here in Houston. Of course, the LSU connection bonded us and when it came time for me to rollover my 401K, who else but a fellow Tiger to entrust with my nest egg? This is how Moe remembered that night:

"Dalton Hilliard was untouchable that night, with 183 yards rushing. The offense was as prolific as it had been all season. Fifty-five points later, LSU won the right to go to the Orange Bowl. Tiger fans showed their undying appreciation by unleashing a hail storm of oranges from the upper reaches of the lower bowl. It was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced before. I knew at that moment I would Love Purple and Live Gold forever. Geaux Tiguz!"

I met native Houstonian Craig Rathjen at the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Banquet in January 2012. He was on the field that night as a redshirt freshman fullback. This is what he had to say:

"I think some oranges were frozen, and a few people got hit pretty hard, we all had our helmets on. The next day for our light workout, we couldn't run on the field because oranges were still scattered all over the field. That great memory was followed by the exact opposite feeling. It was very disappointing losing to Tulane the next week, one of my least favorite memories."

Another fellow Houstonian, Julie Nester Golla, was introduced to me by one of her Phi Mu Sorority sisters, Ginger Carpenter Haberle. Her experience adds to the gumbo:

"When I spoke to Keith Benit about that game, he remembers more details than I do of the game that decided who went to the Orange Bowl. I remember things like the fact that it was our first date, that we ate at the Cotton Club with his parents and then we went to the game. He also remembered that I couldn't throw oranges very far and that I hit several delirious students. I hit a few of them with my short orange lobs, but no one cared."

Julie remembers throwing the oranges, just as anyone who attended that game would. It was a beautiful thing. When the Tigers scored, the oranges rained down like a Louisiana summer hail storm into the north end zone. I wasn't able to get any that day, because as Julie explained:

"Oranges were 10 for $1, and we had about 30. Security guards didn't seem to mind as everyone was smuggling them in. I think most of the students carried in about 20 to 30 oranges that night."

The gate attendants also didn't seem to notice anything we were smuggling into the stadium because I remember plenty of flasks being passed around too. I can still visualize the hail of oranges hitting the north end zone and bouncing across the field as security personnel tried in vain to clear the playing field. It was incredibly fun, and I'm glad the statute of limitations has long since past.

As for the game itself, the efficiency of the offense and Hilliard running wild stood out. He led the Tigers to a big early lead, which gave the Tiger Band plenty of opportunities to blast out many of our favorite tunes. My roux was tasty and well prepared that night.

While holding his hands about two feet apart, Rathjen described the running back duo:

"Hilliard had thighs about this big around and was about the shiftiest running back ever. Garry James was also a gifted athlete and with Coach Brown's offensive genius, we really were hard to stop."

Another thing that many friends remember about that game was the fog that rolled into the stadium that night. Entering over the south lip of the stadium, the mysterious cloud rolled in thick and enveloped the field with a thick, hazy blanket making it difficult to see the players. It was a fascinating yet eerie way to end the biggest game of the early '80s in Tiger Stadium. A New Year's bowl game invitation was in hand, and it was time to party, one of our famous wall-to-wall-with-people parties at 1375 W. Chimes Street. It went well into the night, dancing to "You Dropped the Bomb on Me," "Mickey," and "Our Lips Are Sealed."

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Gumbo for the Tiger Soul by Ces Guerra. Copyright © 2014 Ces Guerra. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

1 Prologue, xi,
2 Preparations, 1,
3 Creating the Roux, 7,
4 Cajun Trinity: Part I Celery, 15,
5 Cajun Trinity: Part II Onions, 23,
6 Cajun Trinity Part III: Green Bell Peppers, 31,
7 Let It Simmer, 37,
8 Oysters, 45,
9 Shrimp, 51,
10 Big Blue Crab, 61,
11 Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, 67,
12 C'Mon Man Hot Sauce, 77,
13 French Bread, 83,
14 Corn Maque Choux, 89,
15 Spice and Everything Nice, 95,
16 Abita Beer, 103,
17 Monday Night Football in Tiger Stadium, 109,
18 Freeze Some for Another Day, 119,
19 Freeze Some Part Deux: BCS Championship 2007, 129,
20 Epilogue, 137,
21 Lagniappe Recipes, 141,