Kent Brussard Joins LSU Tiger Marching Band at 66

Kent Brussard, a 66-year-old from Baton Rouge, made headlines on September 6 by becoming the oldest member of the Louisiana State University Tiger Marching Band.

As a child, Brussard dreamed of playing the tuba in a famous band. Yet, life led him down a different path, and he built a career in accounting, focusing on his family and assuming his childhood aspirations were long gone. After retiring, he rediscovered his passion for marching bands and decided to relearn the tuba, an instrument he had played in high school and college in southeastern Louisiana.

His wife, Cheryl, initially thought he wanted to join some type of senior band. She was shocked when she learned he aimed for the real LSU band. “It was amazing to learn that he was a real band he wanted to join,” she shared with CBS News.

Brussard committed to his goal, even training by running with a weighted vest around his neighborhood. He signed up at the school and faced the challenges of relearning the tuba and auditioning against younger candidates. LSU Marching Band Director Simon Horowiko stated that all members, regardless of age, must meet the same rigorous standards. “There are no concessions,” he mentioned.

Defying expectations, Brussard earned his place in the band, marking a significant achievement at 41 years the oldest member. He made his debut during a game where LSU played against Louisiana Tech.

Brussard’s journey is a heartwarming reminder that it’s never too late to pursue one’s dreams. Despite life’s responsibilities, he embraced the challenge of relearning the tuba, proving that age is just a number and that youthfulness often lies in one’s mindset.