SPIRIT OF '88
At Joe Aillet Stadium, you will find a bronze Bulldog named the Spirit of ’88, a statue that commemorates the 1988 Bulldog football team that blazed the path into Division I-A football for Louisiana Tech. That 1988 team had to endure one of the most difficult schedules in school history. In what was the nation’s 11th toughest schedule that year, the Bulldogs faced five Division I-A bowl teams including Houston, Florida State, and Texas A&M.
The statue, which every Tech player and coach touches as he walks onto the field before every home game, has brought good fortune to the Bulldogs at home.
WALK OF PRIDE
In 2007, a new pregame ritual began. A little over two hours before every home kickoff at Joe Aillet Stadium, Bulldog fans line the road in Bulldog Village next to Argent Pavilion as they participate in the “Walk of Pride.” As the football team unloads the buses along Bulldog Drive, the Band of Pride lines the way and plays the Tech fight song while fans cheer on the Bulldogs players and coaches who walk through the tunnel and into Joe Aillet Stadium.
CALLING THE 'DOGS
The tradition of ringing a bell at Louisiana Tech football games is linked to the school’s history and a fire bell cast in 1879. The bell, originally used to alert the community of fires, was moved to Joe Aillet Stadium when it opened in 1968. The bell is brought to midfield prior to every home game and run to commemorate the bulldog’s bravery for running into a burning building in 1899 and to inspire the team and fans as they prepare for battle.
Louisiana Tech students pack The Kennel for every football home game. In doing so, they stand and cheer tirelessly, letting everyone know when a first down is made by the Bulldogs by chanting “Move the Chains” and waving their arms in the direction the offense is moving after every first down.
Win or lose, one tradition remains at the conclusion of every Louisiana Tech home game. Players, coaches, and fans raise their index finger to the sky as the Band of Pride plays the alma mater. This gesture is a long-standing tradition and a way for everyone to show their school pride and unity while singing the alma mater.
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