Who dat going to help them Saints?

Natchez’s Tony Byrne, that’s who.

Byrne was one of 20 New Orleans Saints ticket-holders selected to serve on the New Orleans Saints Fan Advisory Board for the 2000 season.

&uot;I was driving home from Lake St. John (La.) when my car phone rang and they told me I had been selected but had to commit right then,&uot; Byrne said. &uot;I was tickled to death and told them I would after I got over my surprise.&uot;

Byrne is attending a press conference in New Orleans today concerning the advisory board.

&uot;We’re going to meet four times a year, and I think the appointment is for a year,&uot; he said.

Byrne said he was told he will represent the state of Mississippi.

Byrne responded to a questionairre asking Saint season-ticket holders why they should be on the board.

Byrne sent a letter saying his background as mayor of Natchez for 20 years could be of service.

&uot;The Saints need a bigger, stronger, newer fan base and I know I can help with that plan with my experience in politics, government, public relations and as an owner of a promotional advertising business (Ketco) and my degree in marketing from Mississippi State,&uot; Byrne wrote.

He added that casinos in New Orleans and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast should offer certain specials relating to Saints game in much the same way they do for Jazzfest.

Byrne added Saint halftime shows are nothing like they used to be in the past.

&uot;They need to go back to the days when they used to have Al Hirt and Pete Fountain,&uot; he said. &uot;There’s a lot of talent in New Orleans, and even around the Miss-Lou. You’ve got Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis. They pay that much for high school bands to march. Nothing against high school bands, but I can see them at high school games.&uot;

Saints officials said one of the first duties of the advisory board will be deciding if Fetch Monster will stay on as mascot.

Fetch Monster is the Australian Shepherd who retrieved the kicking tee after field goals and kickoffs at Saint home games.

Byrne said he will do his best to keep Fetch Monster on the payroll.

&uot;She is the only excitement we’ve had over the past few years besides (Mike) Ditka blowing up on the sidelines,&uot; Byrne said.