NEW ORLEANS — Mike Serio is a serious LSU super fan. How serious? Saturday night, when the LSU Tigers host Georgia State will mark Serio’s 500th consecutive game – home and road, playoff and bowl games, post-Katrina, post-Ida and during COVID.
Through it all, Serio hasn’t missed a beat. Sitting in his St. Charles Avenue sandwich shop, Serio says the next game is just as thrilling as the game that started his streak 40 years ago.
“When I get close to Tiger Stadium, I’m like, I get giddy, you know?
He’s had a few close calls in his streak. His daughter was born late in 2001 – December 28 to be exact. That year the Tigers played in the Sugar Bowl, a few days later and close to the birth site.
“I’m kind of proud of it (the streak),” he said. “It’s an accomplishment. I’ve been pretty fortunate to have good health and a lot of luck – no missed flights or stuff like that.”
That daughter, Maddie, made him a sign for his 500th game and she’ll be among those in attendance with LSU’s “Iron Mike” the fan.
Serio says his favorite SEC school to visit is Kentucky and his least favorite SEC trip is to Fayetteville, Arkansas. His favorite player of all time, without question, Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon.
“I just adored Billy. You know, he was the best. You know, Stoll is one of the greatest ever. His favorite road trips ever include a trip to Syracuse, New York with his uncle Gilbert
“We tried to find Woodstock,” he recalled. “We stopped off at a West Point, and then we went to a Yankees game.”
The greatest challenge to Serio’s streak came in the COVID season. No fans were allowed at the Vanderbilt game, but there's a hotel parking lot in the end zone. So Mike got a hotel room and watched the game from that raised lot in the end zone. He was there and has the photograph to prove it.
“It’s not a chore. I look forward to it. You know, it's funny. I remember the dark days of Curley Hallman.” But, most of it, he says, has been a joy.”
The streak includes three national championship wins. He said he cried like a baby after the 2003 title and Saturday when he hits 500, he'll do his usual get there before noon - cook a ton of food outside the stadium, then enjoy the game with his family. “I got, you know, my wife and daughter. I got my son and my grandchildren to come. And I got two granddaughters and my daughter in law and we all sitting together.
And that's going to be special. 500 and counting. Mike Serio says he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.