Tiger Stadium Gets a Makeover

LSU fans will enjoy a new and improved appearance to legendary Tiger Stadium when the 2012 LSU football season gets underway on September 1.

Here are the details of the makeover from LSU Spots official release:

Already complete is the replacement of more than 400 windows on the north end of Tiger Stadium and a new coating to the outer façade of the stadium that will help maintain the structure as well as improve its appearance. A new lighting system has been installed that turns the upper archways of the north end of the stadium purple and gold and lights the iconic "LSU" on the stadium's north scoreboard.

Currently underway and due for completion by the first game is a new portal gating system on the west side of Tiger Stadium that will include the Scotty Moran National Championship Plaza as well as plaques commemorating LSU All-Americans and members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Also, "Tiger Stadium" in 10-foot tall illuminated letters will sit just below the west upper deck facing Nicholson Drive.

The National Championship Plaza is named for LSU and Tiger Athletic Foundation supporter Scotty Moran who has made significant contributions to the renovations to the north end and west side of the stadium. These renovations to Tiger Stadium are privately funded through the Tiger Athletic Foundation with the use of no state tax dollars and no student fees.

The window replacement project, which was completed during the 2011 season, was the first phase of a fund-raising campaign launched by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva to improve the appearance of Tiger Stadium.

"Tiger Stadium is a treasure in the world of college sports and it is our obligation to maintain and improve it," said Alleva. "The original structure was built in 1924 so it takes constant attention, inside and out, to get it ready for every football season. We are not going to build a new stadium, so it is our responsibility to make this one a showpiece for years to come."

The addition of the National Championship Plaza and plaques commemorating the great players in LSU history is similar to the plaza and plaques that surround Alex Box Stadium.

"These latest improvements to Tiger Stadium will help us tell the story of the history of Tiger football," Alleva said. "Fans will be able to read about our greatest teams and our greatest players who will be forever honored on the gates of Death Valley."

The change to the gating system will also result in a change in the numbering system on the west side of the stadium. Gates will now be numbered 1 through 6 from south to north at the west entry gates instead of the old "Portal A."