Kent Broussard, a 66-year-old retired accountant from Baton Rouge, enrolled as a freshman at Louisiana State University and earned a spot in the university’s 325-member marching band, fulfilling a childhood dream and becoming the oldest member of the group by 41 years.
Broussard, who built a career as a global executive in the alcoholic beverage industry, said he told his family about the plan five years ago and began preparing as he wound down his corporate life. He played the sousaphone in his youth but had not touched an instrument for about 45 years. According to LSU, Broussard applied and joined the band under the same rules as every other student: he had to enroll at the university, take classes, complete assignments and maintain academic standing.
Broussard spent a year preparing for the audition. He said he relearned how to read sheet music and practiced the sousaphone with LSU graduate assistant Matthew Thompson, often practicing into the night. "I practiced every day, sometimes until midnight," Broussard said. "I hadn’t played since my 20s, but it started coming back. And my family, they were 100 percent behind me."
He also worked on his fitness to meet the physical demands of marching. Broussard told reporters he ran with a weighted vest and carried his roughly 30-pound sousaphone through his neighborhood as part of his training.
When he saw his name on the roster for the 2025-26 school year, Broussard said returning band members erupted in cheers. "The instant I saw it, several of the returning members saw it too, and they started hollering and screaming," he recalled. "The percussion group next door came in, and about 30 people were jumping up and down. It was just a great moment."
The band, known as the Golden Band from Tigerland, is a 325-member ensemble that has been nominated for Grammy Awards. LSU requires that all band members be full-time students and maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average, standards Broussard must meet as he balances coursework with rehearsals.
Broussard made his field debut at Tiger Stadium during LSU’s football home opener, when the band performed arrangements from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and Wicked. His wife, Cheryl, said she initially assumed he meant to join a seniors' ensemble when he first mentioned the plan, but she later embraced his goal after seeing the reality of his audition and acceptance.
University officials and band staff said Broussard received no special treatment during the application and audition process and that he met the same expectations as other students. Broussard’s story drew attention for the contrast between his age and that of typical undergraduates, and for his decision to return to study and performance after a long career.
The university said Broussard continues to attend classes and fulfill academic requirements while participating in band rehearsals and performances for the coming season.