“End of an Era: Dan Borné, Iconic Voice of Tiger Stadium and the PMAC, Announces Retirement After 35 Legendary Years”
For over three decades, the sound of Dan Borné’s voice has echoed through the loudspeakers of Tiger Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, becoming as much a part of LSU tradition as the eye of the tiger, the Golden Band from Tigerland, and Saturday night football under the lights. This week, the university community and legions of fans were met with bittersweet news—Dan Borné, the longtime public address announcer for LSU football and men’s basketball, has officially announced his retirement after more than 35 years of faithful service. It marks the end of an era in Baton Rouge, not just in athletics but in the sonic identity of a university that has come to associate his voice with some of its most iconic moments.
Borné didn’t just announce games—he narrated history. His deep, measured cadence became the pulse of Tiger sporting events, building anticipation, elevating drama, and honoring tradition with every syllable. Whether calling out the names of legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Joe Burrow or declaring, “It’s Saturday night in Death Valley, and here come your Fighting Tigers of LSU,” his voice carried with it the spirit of the bayou, the pride of the purple and gold, and the thrill of collegiate sports at their highest level.
The man behind the mic was more than just a voice. Borné brought professionalism, reverence, and gravity to a role that, in many stadiums across the country, is often overlooked. At LSU, his presence was felt by players, coaches, and fans alike. His delivery wasn’t showy or self-important—it was precise, passionate, and powerful. Borné understood the weight of his words and the energy they could generate. He wasn’t just reading from a script; he was delivering moments that would live forever in the memories of fans.
In a world where sports are increasingly dominated by spectacle and over-the-top production, Borné remained a classic. He didn’t need fireworks or a jumbotron intro to grab your attention. When Dan Borné spoke, you listened. His diction, tone, and timing were all deliberate, rooted in an understanding of rhythm and respect. He had the rare ability to heighten tension before a kickoff or calm a crowd after an emotional moment, all while staying completely in service to the event. He was the soundtrack to LSU’s most triumphant Saturdays and its most dramatic Tuesdays in the PMAC.
Borné’s voice is woven into the very fabric of LSU culture. His presence in Tiger Stadium was so consistent, so trustworthy, that for many fans, it never occurred that he wouldn’t always be there. The realization that his run is ending brings about a complex mixture of appreciation and melancholy. It’s easy to take an announcer for granted—until you realize you’ll never again hear the familiar phrasing that defined so many fall nights and winter afternoons. There was a musicality to his performance, a kind of elegance that mirrored the gravitas of the SEC and the rich legacy of LSU.
The man himself, however, has always carried himself with humility. Throughout his career, Borné resisted the urge to become a personality. He stayed true to the role of announcer, letting the athletes and the action take center stage. And yet, his impact was undeniable. Coaches respected him. Players admired him. Fans adored him. From the press box to the student section, Dan Borné was universally recognized not just for his voice, but for the dignity and steadiness he brought to his craft.
His retirement announcement has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the LSU community. Social media lit up with clips of iconic calls, expressions of gratitude, and personal stories from fans who remember their first Tiger game not by the score, but by the sound of Borné’s voice ringing out across the night. Many shared memories of hearing him introduce the Tigers as children and how his voice helped spark their lifelong love for LSU. Others, including athletes, thanked him for giving their moments in the spotlight the sense of significance they deserved.
In many ways, Dan Borné was the bridge between generations. Grandparents, parents, and children have all heard his voice announce an LSU touchdown or introduce the starting five for men’s basketball. His longevity gave him a timeless quality. Through coaching changes, stadium renovations, and program highs and lows, Borné remained. He was, in the truest sense of the word, a constant—someone you could count on to deliver the same excellence year after year.
And while he is stepping away from the microphone, his influence will remain. The standard he set for public address announcing is now etched into the expectations of LSU fans and the legacy of the athletic department. Whoever follows him will not simply be replacing a man; they will be inheriting a tradition. It’s a daunting task, not because it cannot be done, but because Borné made it look and sound so effortless for so long. His presence gave gravitas to blowout wins and somber losses alike, treating every game with the respect it deserved.
His voice has transcended the confines of the stadium and the arena. For many, it became the voice of LSU itself—a symbol of consistency in a rapidly changing world of college sports. As the SEC expands, NIL shifts the landscape, and digital noise continues to grow louder, there was always something reassuring about hearing Dan Borné announce an LSU first down. It reminded you that some things, at least, could stay the same.
Off the mic, Borné was a man of many talents. A former chemical engineer, legislative aide, and communications executive, he brought intellect and thoughtfulness to everything he did. His professionalism extended far beyond Tiger Stadium. He served on various boards, advised public figures, and mentored young professionals, always with the same warmth and intentionality he brought to his announcing. He believed in the power of clear communication, not just in sports but in life. His retirement is not just a loss for LSU fans but for the broader Baton Rouge community as well.
In honoring his legacy, it’s important to recognize that Dan Borné didn’t just work 35 years—he crafted 35 years of moments. Each name he read, each touchdown he called, each introduction he made added to the mosaic of LSU history. His voice was the vessel through which tradition flowed from one generation to the next. As fans gather for the next season, many will feel a distinct absence—not just of a voice, but of a presence, a spirit, a steward of the game.
There will be tributes, of course. There will be ceremonies and acknowledgments. His name will live on in LSU lore, likely etched into the walls of Tiger Stadium or echoed through future video montages. But no plaque or video can truly capture what Dan Borné meant to LSU. You had to be there. You had to hear it—to feel the vibrations in your chest as he welcomed the Tigers to the field or to get goosebumps as he calmly brought order to chaos in the final minutes of a tight SEC clash.
The great voices of sports are few. They are the ones you don’t forget—the ones who become indistinguishable from the memories they help create. Dan Borné belongs in that elite company. Not because he sought the spotlight, but because he elevated everyone around him. LSU was louder, prouder, and more united because of him.
And now, as he steps away from the booth, LSU must find a new voice. But there will never be another Dan Borné. His legacy is not just in what he said, but in how he said it—with honor, with heart, and with a deep, abiding love for the Tigers.
As we look ahead to the next chapter of LSU athletics, we do so with gratitude for the man who gave sound to our Saturdays and gave voice to our victory cries. Dan Borné didn’t just announce games—he announced greatness. And for that, the entire LSU family says thank you.
