In Memory of Matthew Bahlinger
Provided by Matthew's Family:
Matthew Bahlinger loved playing saxophone in the LSU Tiger Marching Band in the 2016 and 2017 football seasons. He was well-liked among his peers and admired for his dry humor, devotion to close friendships, and strong moral character. As an aspiring mechanical engineer, he dreamed of building projects to help others, even if it was just one person. Throughout his short life, despite his inner struggles, he frequently made sacrifices to help his friends and family. However, he was the one who needed help the most.
Matthew battled depression for the last 8 years of his life. He lost that battle in February of 2022 at the age of 24.
We are learning that Matthew’s story and struggle are far from unique. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 1 in every 6 people will experience depression at some time in life. It is most likely to initially affect those in their late teens to mid-20s, a prevalent age group of all Tiger Band members. The good news is that depression is treatable.
Our mission with the Matthew Bahlinger Memorial Fund is to raise awareness of Tiger Band's need for mental health services and to help provide those services.
Our first step in that direction was to provide the Tiger Band section leaders with QPR training, a short seminar on how to recognize those struggling with mental health issues and refer them to a professional.
Our second step was to host “Matt’s Dinner,” in which we received food donations from local restaurants where Matthew had worked. We used dedicated funds to cater dinner for all Tiger Band students and staff at the end of Band Camp. With help from family and friends who donated their time to serve the food, we fed over 350 people in 20 minutes.
Our third step was to help secure counseling dedicated to the College of Music & Dramatic Arts and Tiger Band. We started with a part-time counselor through the PSC (Psychological Services Center) for the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters, which led to two part-time counselors dedicated to CMDA and Tiger Band during the 24-25 school year. In the fall of 2025, Mental Health Services in the LSU Student Health Center was proud to introduce Sharae Vicknair as the embedded clinician for Tiger Band and CMDA students. Sharae will be introduced at Matt’s Dinner on Friday, August 21 at 5:00 p.m. in the new Tiger Band Hall.
Contributions to the Matthew Bahlinger Memorial Fund make all these accomplishments possible. Your donation will enable LSU to continue providing these important personal behavioral health services.
If you would like to make your gift by check, make check payable to: LSU Foundation
Notation Line: In Memory of Matthew Bahlinger
Send to: LSU Foundation, 3796 Nicholson Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
The LSU Foundation will work with Mr. Bahlinger's family to establish the purpose of tribute funds contributed through this effort. His family will also represent all donors for any needed revision to the purpose of the fund.
The LSU Foundation will share notices about memorial gifts with Mr. Bahlinger's, family. We do not share the gift amount unless a donor explicitly gives us permission to do so.