LSU faithfull talk football with the coach

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Posted 6:30PM on Thursday, June 16, 2005

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) The throng walked slowly past the display of pro football helmets, reading the names of former LSU players in the NFL. They paused at the door of the Billy Cannon room, then hurried onto the football field. ``It's sacred ground,'' said Judy Green. ``It gives me goose bumps to be here.'' Green was among the 200 people decked out in purple and gold who had shelled out $50 each to dine on hot dogs and beans in the sweltering midday heat. What made it worth while was that lunch was held on the 50-yard line in Tiger Stadium and new football coach Les Miles was the guest speaker. ``You have to understand football is a way of life in Louisiana,'' said Donald Rivers, who had driven 125 miles from Lake Charles, La., with five friends. ``Especially LSU football.'' Miles, who replaced Nick Saban in January, will have spoken to over 50 such gatherings by the time LSU opens the season Sept. 3 against North Texas. ``Nick would never do this,'' athletic director Skip Bertman said. ``But Les is great at it. It's not about the money. I can raise more than this having lunch with one person. It's about reaching the fans. Letting them see the coaches up close.'' When Miles stepped to the podium the group rose and applauded wildly. ``This is the only place in America you get a standing ovation before you take the field,'' Miles said. Miles clearly relishes the meetings. He jokes with the group about the Louisiana heat, the unique culture, the stories he's heard about Saturday night games in Tiger Stadium. He tells them about the academic standards the team is setting, the leadership qualities, and then gets down to what they really want to hear football. He doesn't promise another national championship, although most of this group expect one. Miles tells them how well conditioned the team will be, how hard they'll play, and how much he expects. ``I don't think he was an early favorite with everyone,'' said Mark Thomas of Lafayette. ``But he was with me. He's going to fit right in here.'' Miles spoke for about 45 minutes and received another ovation. Then he remained for an additional 30 minutes, shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for pictures. The school limited the group to 200, but could have sold many more tickets. People came from all over the state. One man postponed surgery and drove 210 miles from Shreveport for the luncheon. ``We bleed purple and gold,'' said Luann Byrd, who said she married into LSU fandom 50 years ago. ``It's a very special feeling.'' The school is currently renovating the west side of the football stadium. The $60 million project will add 3,355 seats. A $15 million football operations center, which will include the football offices, locker room, training and equipment rooms, and video operations center, will be completed this fall. ``I think LSU is different from any place else in the world,'' Miles said. ``They obviously love their school and their sports. It's a real privilege to be here.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)