Artist's Hidden Image Description & Meaning Behind the Composition
I included hidden images in the fireplace representing each victory
on the road to the 2003 National Championship.
Certain rocks are shaped to represent the state of Louisiana and the
state of each University defeated by LSU over the 2003 season. The schematic
shown here identifies each state shaped in the rocks as referenced below.
SCORE ITEM STATE UNIVERSITY LSU vs. OPPONENT
1-A Louisiana
1-B Louisiana UL-Monroe 49-7
1-C Arizona Arizona 59-13
1-D Illinois Western Illinois 35-7
1-E Georgia Georgia 17-10
1-F Mississippi Mississippi State 41-6
1-G Florida Florida 7-19
1-H S. Carolina South Carolina 33-7
1-I Alabama Auburn 31-7
1-J Louisiana Louisiana Tech 49-10
1-K Alabama Alabama 27-3
1-L Mississippi Ole Miss 17-4
1-M Arkansas Arkansas 55-24
1-N Georgia Georgia 34-13
1-0 Oklahoma Oklahoma 21-14
2. The hidden image of the Tiger (2-A), and Heisman Trophy (2-B) in
the fireplace rocks
2-c. The rocks formed into the dates also represent the defensive schemes
used by LSU in the National Championship game. The names of states were
used to identify and "call" the defensive alignments.
3. Billy Carmon's 89-yard punt return for a touchdown against 3rd ranked
Ole Miss in 1959 is regarded as one of the most memorable plays in LSU
history.
a. In 1988, Tommy Hodson's pass to Eddie Fuller led to the win over
Auburn and the SEC Crown. The noise from 79,341 fans in Tiger Stadium
at the moment of the touchdown registered vibration on a seismograph
in the LSU Geology Department.
b. Kevin Faulk holds the SEC record with 6833 career all purpose yards.
Selected All-American in 1996. He was also a member of the 2002 Super
Bowl Champion New England Patriots.
c. Josh Reed finished his career as the SEC's all time leader in receiving
yards. He was selected All American in 2001 winning the Biletinikoff
Award as a Junior.
d. Wendell Davis is recognized as one of greatest LSU receivers of all
time. Selected All American in 1986 and 1987. He was drafted by the
Chicago Bears.
5. In November of 1972, Bert Jones pass to Brad Davis in the corner
of the end zone as time expired kept LSU's winning streak alive at 11
games.
6. I painted the clock with the hands set at 2:00 to represent LSU's
2 National Championship Teams - 1958 and 2003.
7. College football is defined by the experience of LSU's Tiger Stadium
at night. It is rated as one of the best and "most feared" stadiums
in college football. Built in 1924, Tiger Stadium seating capacity is
now at 91,600 fans. The image of Tiger Stadium over the fireplace pays
tribute to the "Best fans in college football" where a customary sold-out
crowd cheers on the Tigers. LSU continues as one of the leaders in national
attendance year-in and year-out.
8. I Chose to represent the LSU campus by showing Memorial Tower, one
of its most recognizable landmark structures.
9. In one of the most miraculous and memorable plays in all of college
football, LSU came back on a 2 play, 87 yard, 11 second drive to beat
Kentucky with no time left 33-30. Known as the "Bluegrass Miracle,"
QB Marcus Randal hit Devery Henderson for a 75 yard TD.
10. Matt Mauck has all the tools of a great quarterback, - size, good
arm and extremely smart. His leadership and clutch play guided the LSU
Tigers to the National Championship.
11.As the saying goes "defense wins championships," and this year, it
wasn't any different. LSU's Defense dominated Oklahoma's Heisman winning
QB, Jason White, sacking him 5 times and continually applying pressure
during the entire game.
12.Head Coach Paul Dietzel coached LSU from 1955 to 1961 leading the
Tigers to their first National Championship in 1958.
13. Head Coach Charles McClendon took the Tigers to 13 bowl games over
18 seasons from 1962 to 1979. He finished his career with a.692 winning
percentage and was named National Coach of the year in 1970.
14. Head Coach Nick Saban has taken the LSU Tigers to the pinnacle of
success in just four short years winning the 2003 National Championship
while graduating players at the same time. This image also features
one of the defensive team leaders, Chad Lavalais.
15. I chose the image of the little boy throwing a football through
an old tire to represent where the dream begins. Somewhere e in Louisiana
the magic begins - at home, in the back yard, a little boy, a ball and
the love of LSU football that inspires the dream of one day taking his
place among the Tiger football legends. This is the artist eight year
old son.
16. The newspaper on the table tells the story of every young man on
the LSU team achieving the dream of every little boy - playing in and
winning the National Championship.
17. I wanted to depict a roaring fire to represent the fire, drive and
intensity of every player who wears the purple and gold to live up to
the rich and unparalleled legacy of LSU Football.
18. The number 1 on the LSU jersey represents the 2003 journey to greatness.
It is also symbolic of the storied tradition and the consensus that
the heart and soul of college football reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
19. The little boy asleep on the chair in this heart warming image captures
the essence of LSU Football over the past century. It is the spirit
of the dream that inspired each of LSU's legendary players to fulfill
their dream adding another page in the storied history of Tiger football.
