why is lsu called death valley

The nickname "Death Valley" for LSU's Tiger Stadium originated from the intense noise created by the crowd during games. In the 1950s and 1960s, the stadium was initially called "Deaf Valley" because the noise was so loud it would shake nearby buildings, including a gas station owned by former LSU wrestler Thurman "Crowe" Peele. The transition from "Deaf Valley" to "Death Valley" is believed to have been cemented around the 1959 Sugar Bowl, where LSU defeated Clemson 7-0. LSU fans adopted the term "Death Valley" as a mark of pride after beating a team whose home stadium was already known as Death Valley (Clemson's stadium). The nickname gained full popularity after the October 8, 1988 "Earthquake Game," where the intense crowd atmosphere was so powerful it triggered a seismograph 1,000 feet away from the stadium. In summary, LSU's Tiger Stadium is called Death Valley due to the deafening noise of its fans, its reputation as a tough place for opponents, and a symbolic win over the original Death Valley (Clemson), transforming the name from "Deaf Valley" to the more intimidating "Death Valley".