Tammany’s Tigers
by Kelly Rasmus
When LSU hosts its first home football game of the 2007 season Sept. 8, the Tigers and Virginia Tech Hokies won’t be the only ones taking the field in Death Valley. Representatives from our very own Tammany Tigers, a local chapter of the Tiger Athletic Foundation, will also appear on the field to be recognized for the group’s recent pledge towards TAF’s Foundation of Champions scholarship program. The chapter will again appear on the field during the Tiger’s Sept. 22 matchup with South Carolina as representatives accept the illustrious Purple Blazer. The jacket, a long-standing tradition in LSU sports, is awarded to individuals and groups that surpass $100,000 in lifetime giving to TAF.
The distinguished honor did not come easy for the local organization. The Tammany Tigers reorganized four years ago, after a lull in activity that lasted more than 10 years. Starting with a very small group of Tiger fans who were anxious to once again garner support for the purple and gold on the northshore, the group set out to raise funds. Recognizing that LSU sports—and more specifically, LSU football—would be the best motivator in gathering new members, they planned a fundraising dinner featuring then coach Nick Saban as the headline speaker. The event was such an overwhelming success that the organization vowed to make good on a $100,000 pledge towards the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student Athletes, which had been instituted years earlier but never fulfilled. The Tammany Tigers felt that the pledge combined the two most important aspects of its mission: supporting LSU athletes both on the field and in the classroom. The impressive center provides an environment conducive to learning by offering resources such as the 2,800-square-foot Deumite Library, the supervised Bengal Belle Study Hall, private study rooms, a tutorial staff and the Eric Hill Athletic Communications Studio, which provides interviewing and public relations training for LSU student athletes.
The Tammany Tigers have since made payments every year toward that pledge by hosting their annual dinner. The evening provides an intimate atmosphere in which to meet not only the head football coach, but also distinguished leaders of the university, including guests such as the chancellor, the athletic director, the CEO of TAF and other coaches leading LSU sports programs. The group also hosts a popular golf tournament, raffles off four football season tickets and offers other events throughout the year for its members, including tailgating parties and socials.
The booster club members took their dedication of giving to a whole new level when they pledged another $100,000 towards TAF’s newly instituted program, the Foundation of Champions. The endowment will be a perpetual source of financial support for a specific LSU athlete. The Tammany Tigers decided to name their scholarship after a local former LSU athlete and held a vote to determine the honoree. The chapter selected Leon “Buddy” Buras III of Covington. Buddy played offensive and defensive tackle at Covington High School under Coach Jack Salter and went on to play offensive guard and offensive tackle for the Tigers from 1971 to 1974 under Coach Charlie McClendon.
Since Buddy played for the LSU team as #74, the Tammany Tigers will be providing an athletic scholarship for the football player who currently wears that jersey number. This year that squad member will be Brett Helms, a junior center from Arkansas. Rallying behind #74 each year will be just one of the ways the spirited Tammany Tigers will be showing their enduring support for their beloved university.
For more information about the Tammany Tigers, visit www.tammanytigers.com.
