Kent Broussard, a 66-year-old retired accountant, made his debut as the oldest member ever of Louisiana State University's Golden Band from Tigerland during the Tigers' football home opener, fulfilling a decades-old dream.

Broussard retired and, determined to join the Grammy-nominated marching band he had long admired, re-enrolled as an LSU student, relearned the sousaphone and undertook a disciplined physical and musical training regimen that included running with a weighted vest and marching his 30-pound instrument through his neighborhood. The former student musician was one of 325 students selected for the band and took the field for the halftime performance during the game in Baton Rouge.

Broussard played the sousaphone in high school and at Southeastern Louisiana University before graduating in 1980, but he said everyday life eventually pushed the goal aside. As retirement neared in 2023, he reconsidered that long-held aspiration. "As you get older, you contemplate where your life is going to head in retirement," Broussard told The Associated Press. "I think back about how fast life has gone by ... and thinking about something that I always wanted to do, but just didn’t get a chance to do it."

To be eligible to try out, Broussard had to enroll at LSU, attend classes and meet the academic requirements of a student. He said he trained "mentally, physically and musically" to meet the band's demands, which include complex marching formations, musical precision and stamina. His selection into the Golden Band from Tigerland placed him among a large ensemble known for performing at major sporting events and national appearances.

One of the moments Broussard described as an "aha moment" was marching down Victory Hill, an LSU game-day tradition in which the band, football team, coaches and supporters process to Tiger Stadium while performing a pregame salute and the introduction to "Touchdown for LSU." He said he wore a constant smile as the band moved past fans and into the stadium.

During halftime, the band performed arrangements from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and Wicked, executing intricate drill formations that require members to count steps while actively playing. Broussard counted his steps as the ensemble wove in and out to form letters and images designed to be seen from the stands. Late in the game, Broussard appeared on the stadium Jumbotron, his silver hair visible beneath the uniform as fans cheered.

Broussard described his motivation simply: he wanted to be part of something great. He emphasized the collective effort required of the band and said he had joined to contribute to that legacy. "I’m doing this because I want to be part of something great, because that’s what they are," he told AP.

His story has resonated beyond the campus as an example of pursuing a long-held goal after retirement. Broussard said the experience reaffirmed that life can include new ambitions later in life. "People retire," he said. "Dreams don’t."

The Golden Band from Tigerland has a long history at LSU and has earned recognition for its performances at university events, bowl games and other venues. Broussard's inclusion at age 66 highlights the band's continued draw for students of diverse backgrounds and the institution's role as a cultural touchstone in Louisiana.

Broussard's journey from accountant to student musician required balancing coursework, rehearsals and the physical demands of marching band. He said the months of practice and the decision to return to school were worthwhile after stepping onto the field and sharing the performance with teammates and fans.

LSU's third-ranked Tigers won the game against Louisiana Tech, and Broussard's presence in the band added a personal milestone to the university's game-day tradition. The selection of a nontraditional-age freshman underscores how university programs and community interest intersect in campus life and culture, while Broussard's story serves as a reminder of the persistence of personal ambitions.

Broussard plans to continue attending classes and rehearsals as he pursues his freshman year while performing with the band, joining other students in maintaining the rigorous schedule that supports LSU's storied marching tradition.