Letter from the President

Hello, Alumni and Family & Friends of Tiger Band!

This past year, thanks to the incredible support of our members, we were able to make a significant impact. We provided the entire band with Jeremiah’s Italian Ice during Band Camp, offered complimentary memberships to The Four Notes Club for all current Tiger Band members, and awarded three $1,000 scholarships to deserving students. We also ensured that seniors who graduated the year prior could participate in Alumni Weekend at no cost. Thanks to the generosity of our Golden Girl alumnae, we supplied all current Golden Girls with new Nike trainers. Additionally, we contributed over $10,000 to the Tiger Band fund at the LSU Foundation, further supporting our students through scholarships and academic initiatives. We also hosted a fantastic 2023 Alumni Band Weekend, celebrating the 130th anniversary of Tiger Band.

As we look ahead to this year, we celebrate Tiger Band’s 131st season! In addition to continuing our support for current members, we remain deeply committed to our former Tiger Band members. Please save the date for the Alumni Band Game on November 23rd against Vanderbilt—I sincerely hope to see you there.

Finally, I want to issue a heartfelt call to action. LSU consistently ranks near the bottom in alumni giving, and we have the power to change that. The Four Notes Club was created to give Tiger Band alumni and supporters a direct way to benefit the organization we all hold dear. Help us build an enduring legacy by making a tax-deductible donation and renewing your membership with The Four Notes Club today.

Thank you for your continued dedication and generosity. Together, we can ensure that the Tiger Band remains strong for generations to come.

Geaux Tigers!
Daniel Wendt
President, Executive Board

Alumni Spotlight

Pamela Henkel Matassa

***LSU Golden Girl***

What years were you in Tiger Band and what section(s) were you in?

1991-1994, Golden Girl

Why did you join Tiger Band?

Growing up as a dancer, I always had this dream of being a part of Tiger Band as a Golden Girl. I can still picture myself glued to the TV during games, just waiting for a glimpse of the Tiger Band and those Golden Girls on the screen. I used to cross my fingers, hoping they’d actually show the halftime routine.

What really drew me in were all those things that make it special – the history, the traditions, the tight-knit camaraderie among the members, and the deep respect everyone had for the whole unit. It’s like I could feel the energy of those elements when I was near Tiger Band, and it was something I absolutely wanted to be part of. I'm glad I did. My best friends to this day were in Tiger Band with me.

What's one memory from band camp you have?

This is still crystal clear in my mind. We were doing a practice march of Pre-Game for the first time. I was the first GG to step off, so I didn’t have anyone to follow. Everything seemed to be going along as we had rehearsed. Marching eight to five, like I was on a mission, following those beats like I knew what was going on, down the field I went. Only, I was the only one. I think Frank Wickes let me march about halfway down the field before he yelled through his megaphone, “Young lady, would you like to join the rest of Tiger Band in the end zone now?” My embarrassment level? Through the roof!

Describe one of your favorite Tiger Band memories besides being on the field in Tiger Stadium.

Besides being named the Phi Boota Roota sweetheart and being gifted a gloriously painted toilet seat, I loved staying in the stadium until the end of every game, marching back to the band hall, and watching the halftime performance before heading home.

What was one of your favorite halftime shows?

One of my favorite halftime shows was dancing to Hank Williams, Jr.'s "Born To Boogie." I loved that routine, and I knew it was a good one, too, because even Linda Moorhouse said at the time that she thought it was one of her favorite routines. We used poms. The Color Guard had an exceptional routine as well.

Are there any particular games or away trips that you have a fun memory with?

While in Tiger Band, my favorite away game was the 1993 W against Alabama, which was an end to an era as LSU broke the 31-game winning streak on Alabama’s turf. It was not a friendly environment in the Alabama student section at the end of that game. As you might imagine, we had a little wind in our sails as we hit for the buses after the game and we headed out as soon as possible, trying to avoid the Bama-haters.

But my actual favorite away trip was in the spring of 2014 when I had the privilege of escorting the Tiger Band to Ireland to perform in the official St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, after having helped to raise the funds to bring the entire band. I got to chaperone the Golden Girls. That was a lot of fun!

What was a tradition or something special that feels unique to your time in Tiger Band?

A truly cherished moment for me was when we had halftime shows with a featured piece for the auxiliary units, announced by the one and only Dan Borne. The band would stand in perfect stillness, giving a near-flawless performance. And then, the icing on the cake for me was Dan Borne’s voice announcing the “Glittering Golden Girls,” or some variation of it. His voice was just captivating.

What do you do now?

After years as a television news anchor, I decided to become a communications director and have worked at various places including LSU CMDA, the corporate world, and within state government. Today I head communications for the LA Department of Treasury, where my primary focus revolves around facilitating the return of over $1 billion in unclaimed property to the residents of Louisiana. Beyond my professional responsibilities, I’m concurrently engaged in a documentary venture centered on Louisiana musicians across the state. This project is intended for a national program, adding an exciting dimension to my pursuits outside of my regular job.

I’m also an active member of the Board of Directors for the LSU Alumni Association Golden Girl Chapter, as well as the President of the Board for Of Moving Colors professional modern dance company.

I have four children: two sons in high school, a daughter in Loyola Law School, and a son who is passionately working towards establishing his own construction company.

How has being in Tiger Band impacted you, your career etc.

Since my time at LSU, every year has seen me participating, in some capacity, with Tiger Band. My closest friendships have sprung from this association. For many years, I had the honor of adjudicating the Golden Girls. My passion for Tiger Band has persisted well beyond my college years, right up to the present. Currently, I take pride in my roles as a member of Four Notes and the LSU AA Golden Girl Chapter. I am honored to support the Tiger Band, and it’s safe to say this commitment now runs in my veins.

What are you looking forward to for Alumni Band Weekend? (in general or whenever you plan on participating again)

I absolutely love getting to see everyone. It’s like a weekend full of smiles. It boosts my mood just being there. Sure, we might be reliving our “golden days,” but honestly, it beats any class reunion I’ve ever been to. And the whole group is seriously impressive. I love it!

What years were you in Tiger Band and what section(s) were you in?

I was in the trumpet section from Fall 2011 to Spring 2016. I was a section leader from 2013-2016.

Why did you join Tiger Band?

Funny story – I heard the drumline practicing near the Greek Theater while I was at freshman orientation, and it made me think of how much I was going to miss performing. So I decided to email Roy, the director at the time, at like 10 pm that night to see if there was any chance I could audition. He called me immediately and said, “We’re already a few days into preseason. But if you can play the trumpet and get here by Wednesday, I’ll let you audition with everyone else Thursday.”

What's one memory from band camp you have?

It’s hard to pick just one. It was always exciting meeting so many new people at one time, knowing that some will become lifelong friends and others are forever embedded in my memory from all the time we spent together.

Describe one of your favorite Tiger Band memories besides being on the field in Tiger Stadium.

We were at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville for the 2014 Music City Bowl. I had the honor of being chosen for the Outstanding Bandsman award that year. I received a standing ovation from the crowd. While walking to the stage, I had a sudden surreal flashback of all the friendships, experiences, and opportunities that led to that moment.

What was one of your favorite halftime shows?

There were so many shows with great arrangements. I don’t remember the title, but my favorite was probably halftime against USC in 2012. It was a pretty jazzy show. We ended it by playing “When a Man Loves a Woman” inside the student section. The energy from the crowd was crazy that night.

Are there any particular games or away trips that you have a fun memory with?

The most impactful moment for me was my first game with the band my freshman year. It was our season opener against Oregon in 2011 at Jerry World. One of the first things we played after being seated was “Neck.” Everyone went insane and got super hype over it, as usual. That’s when I realized just what kind of thing I’d become a part of.

What was a tradition or something special that feels unique to your time in Tiger Band?

The gameday routine of the IFF, the whole band getting in traffic to go eat in the band hall and maybe take a nap to recover and then all of gameday.

In 2012, I think we moved into the New Band hall when it was brand new. I felt honored to see the old way vs the new way and be part of that transition.

What do you do now?

I just finished my service as a Nuclear Submarine Officer in the Navy April 2022! After getting out, I realized that I’ve been neglecting my hobbies and experiences. So I’m taking a change of pace and working in sales as a Regional Account Executive for a company called Waites Sensor Technologies.

How has being in Tiger Band impacted you, your career etc.

The leadership experience that I gained as a section leader absolutely translated over to everyday life, as well as the submarine community and my current position. Being in such a large band with so many moving pieces, you’re forced to find ways to work well with others who come from countless different backgrounds. Having effective communication skills is something the whole world needs more than ever right now.

What are you looking forward to for Alumni Band Weekend? (in general or whenever you plan on participating again)

Not sure when I’ll make it back for an Alumni Band Weekend. But I’m looking forward to catching up with all my old bandmates, of course!

As an alumni-led organization, it feels only natural to highlight some of our distinguished alumni within our community. We're excited to kick off—football pun intended—a series of Throwback Thursdays on our social media pages in the coming weeks, where we'll be showcasing our amazing alumni.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who have graciously responded and shared their memories and experiences with us. If you're interested in sharing some of your favorite Tiger Band memories, please fill out the form at the link below.

Alumni Feature Form