Sports
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
page 5
MORGAN SEARLES / The Daily Reveille
87-year-old Tiger Stadium, which opened in 1924, awaits its next batch of possible renovations. Death Valley, famous for its size and deafening crowd, leaves opposing SEC football teams dreading LSU home games.
Officials consider possible Tiger Stadium expansion Cameron Warren Contributing Writer
After nearly five years, Death Valley could be looking at more surgery. The LSU Athletic Foundation is currently gauging interest on another expansion project to the stadium, which will be 87 years old this November.
When Tiger Stadium first opened in 1924, it held 12,000 fans. This number eventually grew to 46,000 in 1936, when the north end zone was closed. Huey P. Long, then-governor, bypassed legislation by building dormitories into the expansion. These rooms are today used as offices and storage areas. The south end zone was closed off in 1953, which increased capacity. During the ’70s and ’80s, the upper west deck was completed, and the stadium was renovated, modernizing certain areas with waterproofing and chairs with backs in others.
Expansion resumed in 2000 when the upper east deck was completed, upping the capacity to 92,000. The most recent expansion came in 2006, when the upper west deck was renovated to mirror the newer east deck. This brought the capacity to its current 92,400. In its current form, Death Valley ranks in the top ten stadiums for capacity. It is currently fourth in the SEC, the highest being Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium boasting 102,459 capacity.
TIGER STADIUM HISTORY: • 1924: capacity of 12,000 Tiger Stadium opens • 1936: capacity of 46,000 Huey P. Long builds “dormitories” • 2000: capacity of 92,000 Upper east deck completed • 2006: capacity of 92,400 Upper west deck renovated
RENOVATIONS, see page 7
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Johnson speaks in teleconference Team confident after Italian tour
Cameron Warren Contributing Writer
Trent Johnson said during the SEC Basketball Teleconference on June 27 he believes the LSU basketball team grew stronger during its recent trip to Italy. Each of the twelve SEC schools participated in the teleconference, each allowed a sevenminute interview with the media.
Trent Johnson, LSU head coach, led the Tigers last season to a 3-13 SEC record. The team completed their Italian tour with an unbeaten 6-0 record against Italian teams. Johnson said having twelve minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock forced the team to be faster and more aggressive. He said the team became more confident after winning Italian games. “We had a very productive trip to Italy,” Johnson said. “It put us in situations where we had a little confidence and won some games.”
The SEC recently announced it will drop the east and west divisions in favor of one large 12-team division. Negotiations over the amount of conference games continue, suggestions ranging from 16 to 22 games. The 2011-12 season will remain 16 games long. “In a perfect situation everybody will be playing each other twice,” Johnson said. Johnson said he supported the SEC abandoning division play, saying it’s the only way to determine TELECONFERENCE, see page 7
File photo
LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson addresses the media April 6 to discuss the future of the program. He remains optimistic about 2011 freshmen recruits.
Infrastructure: State fixtures fail first-ever report card, p. 4
Chinese New Year: Spring Festival marks the year of the dragon, p. 9
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Football: Giants living out dream destiny, p. 5 Tuesday, January 24, 2012 • Volume 116, Issue 76
By fall 2014, a few hundred students will She said no trees will be cut down during pomove into one of the most enchanted areas of cam- tential construction. pus. The LSU System Board of Supervisors unaniResLife plans to open the building to all stumously approved a plan to build a dents, David said. new residence hall near the EnchantThe project’s estimated Rachel Warren ed Forest at its December meeting. cost is $22 million, which Staff Writer Catherine David, Residential will be funded by the sale Life communications coordinator, said in an e-mail of revenue bonds, she said. that the hall will add 330 beds to the University’s But not all students think it’s housing inventory and will be built in part of the money well spent. Hart parking lot and surrounding area. “Maybe they could use the The building will replace parking spac- money to renovate the buildes near Kirby Smith Hall. Spaces lost ings they already have,” said because of construction will be re- Lauren Sicard, pre-nursing placed across Aster Street in the sophomore. lot north of the Edward Gay apartments, David said.
Staff Writer
Burrito buffs and french fry fanatics rejoice — a quick fix is headed close to campus this summer. The former Blockbuster near the University’s North Gates on West State Street will soon be divided to house a Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Chipotle Mexican Grill, according to Austin Earhart, an agent with Beau Box Commercial Real Estate. Earhart said this will mark Chipotle’s first franchise in Louisiana. The chain boasts more than 1,000 locations across the country, according to the company’s website. There is currently one other Five Guys restaurant in Baton Rouge, located in Towne Center. Earhart said lease development was in the works for about two years until contracts for both locations were executed at the end of last year. The restaurants will soon begin construction, Earhart said. “I imagine they’ll be moving in around mid to late summer,” he said. photo courtesy of THE LSU SYSTEM BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
As early as fall 2014, up to 330 students could live in this proposed $22M residence hall near the Enchanted Forest and Kirby Smith Hall.
CAMPUS LIFE
Room change requests open today 5 and 7 p.m. to inquire about availability, said Benjamin Dewberry, residence life coordinator of BrousOn-campus residents may find sard and Pentagon halls. a new home away To change from home by cobuildings, students ordinating with HOW TO REQUEST can visit Grace King Residential Life A ROOM CHANGE: Hall on Thursday or this week to change Friday between 9 Today: Request to change rooms a.m. and 4 p.m. to dorm rooms. Students will within the same building by visit- discuss a new dorm have a 24-hour pe- ing the residence hall front desk assignment. riod today to make between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. If a resident a move to a difchanges rooms ferent room in the Jan. 26-27: Request to change within his or her same building with buildings by visiting Grace King dorm, there are no no questions asked, Hall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. fees involved, Dewbased on availabilberry said. If a stuity. dent moves to a difStudents should visit the front ferent building, fees depend on the desk of their residence halls between price difference between the current Contributing Writer
First La. Chipotle to open in BR Emily Herrington
SPACE, see page 4
Jacy Baggett
BUSINESS
Contact Emily Herrington at eherrington@lsureveille.com
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
and future residence hall. If a student wishes to change rooms on a different date, the student contact a resident assistant or a ResLife coordinator, Dewberry said. Geography junior Mallory Thomas is beginning her fourth semester as a resident assistant and has moderated multiple disputes. “Conflicts can range from small disputes to massive blowouts,” Thomas said. She advises residents to use the “golden rule” and common sense when dealing with roommates. PAUL SANCYA / The Associated Press
Contact Jacy Baggett at jbaggett@lsureveille.com
Republican presidential candidates debate Monday in preparation for Saturday’s Florida primary. RealClearPolitics shows Newt Gingrich as the Florida frontrunner, with 33.7 percent of the polls. Mitt Romney follows with 33 percent.
Construction: Garage work closes portion of Raphael Semmes Road, p. 3
Baseball: Tigers triumph against Southeastern, 7-3, p. 5
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
CRIME
NFL: Peterson, Sheppard, Toliver perform well in combine drills, p. 5
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 100
Student arrested for weekend assault Robbery suspected as motive for attack Xerxes A. Wilson Staff Writer
A University student has been arrested for the attack of a student near the Parade Ground on Saturday. LSU Police Department officers arrested Camden Marcotte, 20-yearold kinesiology sophomore of 45
Harding St., Dartmouth, Mass., on Tuesday. The alleged assailant was identified by the victim, said Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSUPD spokesman. Officials believe Marcotte attacked an 18-year-old female student as she was walking on the sidewalk along Highland Road at 3:30 a.m. According to LSUPD Det. Kevin Scott, the victim was hit from behind and pushed to the ground. The two fought, and the victim was struck again. The attacker escaped between the Faculty Club and the
Paul M. Hebert Law Center building. The victim was treated for minor wounds on the scene, Scott said. Tabor said police believe Marcotte’s motive was robbery — during the scuffle, a chain necklace was yanked from the victim’s neck. Police found the necklace at the scene. Marcotte is charged with simple robbery. He declined to speak to police about his motive, Tabor said. Detectives were able to identify ARREST, see page 11
CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille
Camden Marcotte, kinesiology sophomore, is arrested Tuesday as a suspect in an assault near the Parade Ground on Saturday. He has been charged with robbery.
OIL SPILL
Jindal won’t wait for BP to pay up
Students exercise pets and socialize at local dog parks
Gov. allots $12M for coastal cleanup
Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
Nearly every afternoon Crager Doiron packs up his books, fetches his dog and heads to Raising Cane’s Dog Park. The park, located off City Park Avenue, has a relaxing atmosphere where his 6-month-old schnauzer, Hess, can play and where Doiron, sociology junior, can study. “I’ve come about five days a week for about five months,” ‘It’s a said. “It’s a great place.” great place Doiron Hess ran circles around the to talk to grassy plot Monday, trailing behind a large boxer. He deviated other from his stalking periodically to owners pay a visit to Doiron, who put a about dog hand down to pet the dog’s head read his notes. issues.’ as heDoiron is one of many UniLisa DiCarlo versity students who take advanbiological sciences tage of Baton Rouge’s park facilities. graduate student According to Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) Communications Director Kristi Williams, three BREC-sponsored dog parks are open to the public, and two are under construction. Williams said parks have sprouted up around Baton Rouge since 2004, when the city recognized the need for dog parks. “We went to the public and had about 125 public meetings to create the Imagine Your Parks plan,” she said. “From those meetings, it was evident the DOGS, see page 11
Matthew Albright Chief Staff Writer
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Crager Doiron, sociology junior, pets Hess, his schnauzer, at Raising Cane’s Dog Park on Monday.
The state will provide $12 million in “emergency restoration funding” for coastal residents afflicted by the Deepwater Horizon disaster, according to a news ‘We were release. Gov. Bobby promised Jindal announced resources the funding Tuesday, saying the and is “not waitassistance state ing” for BP, the oil that always giant that owned seemed the rig which exand leaked to be too ploded oil into the Gulf of little, too Mexico this past summer. late.’ Jindal repBobby Jindal rimanded BP for governor refusing to pay restoration costs. “During the response to the oil spill ... we were promised resources and assistance that always seemed to be too little, too late,” Jindal said in the release. “Today, we are again here to take our own action and not let more of our oystermen, JINDAL, see page 11
NFL: Former Tigers may return to Baton Rouge during lockout, p. 5
NCAA: Purchasing scouting service videos doesn’t violate rules, p. 5
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
BOARD OF REGENTS
Merger Plan B approved Tuesday
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 107
Grief by the Gallon Claire Caillier Contributing Writer
As gas prices skyrocket, Americans are finding more bad than good in the news, according to a new study. The Pew Research Center found in its March News Interest Index survey that rising costs of goods are causing Americans to perceive more negative news on the economy and prices than in previous months. This month, 38 percent of Americans said they felt news about the economy was “mostly bad,” an increase from 29 percent in February. March data also showed 53 percent of Americans said the news is a “mix of good and bad,” and only 7 percent said it was “mostly good.” “Mostly bad” news hit a high in December 2008 when 80 percent of Americans reported viewing news negatively. The lowest number of “mostly bad” responses came in January 2011 at 24 percent. Increasing gas prices are a contributing factor to the rise in perceptions of negative news on economy and prices, according to the News Interest Index. This month, 90 percent of people said news about gas prices was “mostly bad,” compared to 77 percent in February. Kirby Goidel, mass communication and political science professor, said perception of the news changes with big occurrences, like the recent Tunisian revolution.
Robert Stewart Managing Editor
After a four-hour meeting laden with emotional testimony and some confusion over a final vote, the Board of Regents decided Tuesday to recommend to the state Legislature a proposal that could lead to a “University of Greater New Orleans.” The Regents voted 9-6 to recommend Alternative B following a study performed by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems which addressed the possibility of merging the University of New Orleans and Southern University-New Orleans. Alternative B includes four institutional components — an urban research university, a metropolitan university, a comprehensive community college and a “university college” as an entry point for the other three units. No specific names of New Orleans institutions were identified as university college components. Urban research and metropolitan universities would share a campus and be united as the “University of Greater New Orleans” — which could represent UNO and SUNO. MERGER, see page 11
Japan crisis: Quake and tsunami aftermath affects University community, p. 4
GAS PRICES, see page 11
[right] graphic by CAITLYN CONDON, [above] photo illustration by ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
ELECTION WATCH: A series looking at the SG presidential race
Jones, Brister vow to increase safety Editor’s note: Ticket series will be printed in alphabetical order according to the presidential candidates’ last names. Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
Candidates of the “Defining Our Future” ticket for Student Government president and vice president say they want to approach SG with the idea that “to lead is to serve.” SG presidential candidate David Jones, an SG senator, and vice presidential candidate Kacey Brister, assistant director of First Year Experience, said the University needs to
“define its future” as the “pinnacle of public education in the state.” Jones and Brister said they are committed to ensuring the University retains its flagship status years from now. Though Brister is a sophomore, she said her job “overseeing a group of 50 freshmen” this year has prepared her, and she said she is paired well with Jones, who has served in the Senate for three years. Jones and Brister said “safety is most important” in their administration. Jones said he has spoken to Councilwoman Tara Wicker, district 10, about increasing the safety of both campus and the surrounding Baton Rouge community.
Jones said an acquaintance has been approached by a dangerous man on campus, and Brister said she frequently runs the LSU Lakes, inciting them to push for establishing call boxes, such as blue-light phones, on campus. Jones said LSU Police Department officers told him they are understaffed — Jones wants to ensure LSUPD is fully staffed.
Hear more from Jones and Brister at 5:20 p.m. on KLSU. JONES/BRISTER, see page 11
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
SG presidential candidate David Jones, left, and vice presidential candidate Kacey Brister, right, discuss their “Defining Our Future” campaign and initiatives Monday.
Today in sports: Women’s tennis takes on Colorado at 3 p.m. and Southern at 7 p.m.
Sports
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
page 7
FIRST AND GINN
Lafayette Letdown
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU junior center fielder Mikie Mahtook unsuccessfully dives for a ball during the Tigers’ 11-5 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on Tuesday at Alex Box Stadium.
Tigers drop fourth straight in 11-5 loss to ULL on Tuesday Luke Johnson Sports Contributor
The No. 11 LSU baseball team came into Tuesday night’s contest looking for a rebound on several fronts, but came out of the game with more questions than answers losing 11-5 to Louisiana-Lafayette. From weekday junior starter Tyler Jones, who didn’t record an out in his last start. From the offense, which was downright anemic while being swept by No. 1 Florida. From all-time saves leader junior Matty
Ott, who was knocked around in his last appearance, LSU (16-5) had plenty of issues heading into the game. ULL, coming into the game with a 9-10 record, looked like the perfect cure to the Tigers’ recent woes. But the Ragin’ Cajuns (10-10) proved they weren’t going to lay down for LSU. “We just got totally outplayed,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “ULL was the better team tonight. You’ve got to tip your hat to them. They pitched better, they hit better, they did everything better.” The deciding factor in the game may have been the six-run fifth inning, when seven of the first eight Ragin’ Cajun batters reached base. Freshman pitcher Joe Broussard (0-1) walked the first two ULL, see page 10
Jane Trepp one of LSU’s best athletes
One of the most successful athletes at LSU is likely someone you’ve never heard of. While the LSU baseball team was getting cleaned out by No. 1 Florida and both basketball teams were watching the NCAA tournament at home, senior swimmer Jane Trepp turned in a historic performance at the NCAA champion- RYAN GINN Sports ships. Blogger After rewriting the LSU record book during the regular season, she began a dominant postseason at the Southeastern Conference Championships. She took home LSU’s first SEC event championship since 1997, winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 58.94 seconds, the first time she’d ever broken the one-minute mark. She not only defeated reigning SEC champion Micah Lawrence of Auburn by a full second. She also shattered Lawrence’s SEC record in the event. She ended the meet with four medals, also winning a silver medal in the 200-yard medley relay, bronze medal in the 200-yard freestyle relay and another bronze medal in the TREPP, see page 11
FOOTBALL
Senior linebacker Ryan Baker leads new, young Tigers Minter moves into Sheppard’s shoes Michael Lambert Sports Writer
There’s a clear-cut king of the LSU linebacking corps — senior outside linebacker Ryan Baker. Baker has more total career tackles (115) at the position than the 11 other linebackers on the roster combined, and he has shown his veteran wisdom through six spring practices. “Baker’s playing like you’d expect him to,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “[He’s] in the position in my mind to be that guy [to lead].” Baker, senior outside linebacker Stefoin Francois and senior Karnell Hatcher, who just switched from safety to linebacker, are the
only linebackers with more than two years of experience. “We like him a lot as a linebacker now,” redshirt freshman linebacker D.J. Welter said about Hatcher. “He’s done a good job making the switch.” Hatcher has been working with the outside linebackers during spring practice. Francois, who recorded 36 tackles last season, remains with the first team opposite Baker on the strong side. The intrigue during spring has come from the middle of the linebacker corps. A fellow Georgia native will fill the 6-foot-3-inch, 250-pound void left by former LSU middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, who grew up in Stone Mountain, Ga. Sophomore linebacker Kevin Minter, 2 inches shorter and 25 pounds lighter than his predecessor,
has moved to the starter’s role in the middle of LSU’s defense this spring. The Suwanee, Ga., native shadowed Sheppard last season and saw the most action in a six-tackle performance against North Carolina in the opener, but Minter only had nine more tackles the rest of the season. “He’s trying to fill the shoes that Kelvin left,” Baker said. “He didn’t have as much confidence as he should have had last year.” Miles has yet to anoint Minter as the second coming of Sheppard even though he’s running with the first team during spring practices. “[Minter needs to] just be consistent,” Miles said. “He’s very physical. ... He needs to demonstrate the ability to do the job.” An alumnus of Peachtree Ridge High School, Minter said he’s open to accepting leadership. BAKER, see page 11
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Senior Karnell Hatcher, who switched from safety to linebacker, runs a drill Tuesday. Hatcher and seniors Stefoin Francois and Ryan Baker lead the Tiger linebackers.
Want to work for The Daily Reveille? Apply on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Journalism Building.
Reveille
Baseball: Tigers could still win SEC West despite losing record, p. 9
The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
PROTEST
News: State officials ramp up flood security, p. 4 Wednesday, May 4, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 136
Students to march to Capitol today for higher ed rally Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
Despite the cancellation of Tuesday’s “Rally for Higher Education,” students are scheduled to storm the Capitol today from noon to 2 p.m.
Bradley Wood, biology and philosophy senior, said “Rally Day at the Capitol” is not limited to higher education. Wood, founder of the campus organization ProudStudents, said the rally will be hosted by Better Choices for a Better Louisiana, a group that
seeks “to improve the quality of life in our state and invest in Louisiana’s future.” He said BCBL serves as an umbrella for various public programs. The group invited all member organizations to gather at the Capitol to “urge lawmakers to adopt a budget that includes new revenues.”
According to BCBL, an approach based on cutting education, human services and health may have negative long-term consequences. Wood said though he encourages students to participate in the initiative, he does not expect a huge student turnout because of finals.
ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
Alabama native Dustin Williams helped his family to safety by following online news.
Twister hits Alabama natives far from home Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
Dustin Williams’ eyes were fixed on his computer screen as he watched tornadoes rip through the state he calls home. And though he was miles away from the storm’s path, his heart was with his family. Williams is one of several students at LSU originally from Alabama, devastated by tornadoes that tore through the state a week ago. Williams, a Hispanic studies graduate student, said he watched and tracked footage of the storm from Baton Rouge and relayed information to his family in Alabama. “They lost power — no Internet, no news,” he said. “I would call them and tell them to run and get into the closet.” He recounted conversations throughout the day, noting a call with his best friend.
“He literally started screaming, ‘The sky is green and I see the funnel cloud’ and hung up,” Williams said. “I freaked out in front of Hodges Hall.” Williams frantically texted his friend until he responded 45 minutes later. He said this type of delay in conversation became a pattern because of bombarded cellular networks and destroyed towers. Stressed and worried, Williams canceled the rest of his plans for the day and went home to watch the coverage. “I felt so helpless,” Williams said. “I was a nervous wreck, and I still am.” Williams said as he remotely witnessed the storm, he felt part of the disaster. “I was watching and thinking, ‘This is our home. It’s where we grew up, and now it’s gone,’” Williams said. Alabama native Hallie Luckianow, communication disorders senior, said she felt helpless as she watched live coverage. “When you’re two states away, what do you do?” she asked. AWAY FROM HOME, see page 6
“I think people who will attend will be those who have participated in the past and know what’s going on,” Wood said. Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com
ERIC SCHULTZ / The Associated Press
A car sits amid massive tornado damage in the Carter’s Gin community of Huntsville, Ala., on Monday.
University groups send aid, school supplies Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
Though it’s been a week since a string of devastating tornadoes swept through the South, a whirlwind of relief efforts are just beginning. And the University is on board, according to Claire Biggs, mass communication senior. Biggs is the organizer of a campus-wide relief effort to collect backpacks and supplies for University of Alabama students and citizens of Tuscaloosa, Ala. “I [am collecting] backpacks because people are graduating soon,” Biggs said. The campaign began this week, and Biggs said she has received an influx of supplies and support within just a few days. “I had very few connections in Alabama, but within the past 12 hours I’ve made tons,” she said.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Supply drives: Claire Biggs, clairembiggs@gmail.com Caroline Gladney, cwgladney@crimson.ua.edu • American Red Cross Blood Donation: Designate for Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Money Donation: UA Acts of Kindness fund bit.ly/uaactsofkindness • Volunteer opportunities: ua.edu/tornadorelief
Biggs, who set up a Facebook page for the drive, said she is asking people to donate backpacks or tote bags filled with items. She said she is collecting everything from toothbrushes to bug spray. “When you hear ‘people need help,’ you think of money,” Biggs said. “But you don’t need to spend any money to help. Just donate things you have.” Biggs said she plans to bring collected supplies to Alabama. RELIEF, see page 6
Sports
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
page 5
FOOTBALL
LSU earns commits at Bayou Picnic Recruits experience Cajun game day
Mark Clements
Contributing Writer
an RPI of 25. But its resume wasn’t quite impressive enough to earn an invitation to the big dance. The Tigers started the season hot, winning 16 of their first 17 games and jumping as high as No. 8 in the polls before trudging through the brutal SEC schedule, losing five of their first six series while posting a 4-14 record in that stretch. Failing to make the Southeastern Conference tournament trumped the 12-3 finish LSU
Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney weren’t the only ones rocking last weekend. LSU running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson was rocking and rolling on the recruiting front, reeling in three more commitments for the 2012 class. East Jefferson defensive back Derrick Raymond, Hahnville defensive back Jerqwinick Sandolph and West St. Mary dual lineman Jerald Hawkins all gave their verbal commitments May 28, bringing LSU’s total number up to 12. “LSU is home,” Raymond said. “It’s been my dream school, and my family gets to see me play. LSU is a great team. They send their cornerbacks to the pros.” LSU hosted about 40 recruits during the last weekend in May at an event they called The Bayou Picnic. Derek Ponamsky, recruiting analyst and publisher of BayouBengalsInsider.com, said Wilson and the rest of the coaching staff wanted to replicate the atmosphere of a football game on campus by using the festivities surrounding Bayou Country Superfest. “They had a really good turnout,” Ponamsky said. “Most of the commitments came in and a lot of
BASEBALL, see page 7
PICNIC, see page 7
“We deserve to be in, but that’s not the way it worked out. It’s a tough pill to swallow.” Mikie Mahtook, junior center fielder
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Junior third baseman Tyler Hanover strikes out April 28 during LSU’s 9-5 victory against Kentucky. LSU has missed the NCAA Tournament for the third time in six years.
LSU again fails to earn NCAA Tournament spot Mark Clements Contributing Writer
Omaha, Neb., won’t be sprinkled with purple and gold this summer. After a roller coaster season, the LSU baseball team was left out of the
postseason for the third time in the past six years, and the first time since 2006 — LSU coach Paul Mainieri’s first season in Baton Rouge. “Honestly, I thought we were in,” said Mainieri in a press conference after hearing the news. “To me, this team clearly deserved to be in the NCAA Tournament, and I’m just disappointed so much for the kids that they don’t get the opportunity to do so.” LSU finished with a 36-20 record overall, including a 13-17 conference mark, and boasted
WARREN PEACE
Shaq retires from 19-season NBA basketball, movie, television career After 19 seasons in the NBA, six albums, seven movies, numerous TV show, commercial and video game appearances, training to become a police reserve officer, receiving a bachelor’s degree, an MBA and a Ph.D., 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, four NBA championships and an NBA MVP, Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal has decided to retire. O’Neal is one of the few players in the NBA today who battled former stars Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen. He was also instrumental in the
molding of many major players today, most notably Dwyane Wade. O’Neal’s career began in 1985. In an interview with The Times-Picayune, former LSU basketball coach Cameron Dale Brown deWarren scribed his first Contributing meeting with Writer O’Neal. Brown was speaking in Germany when he
met 13-year-old O’Neal and his stepfather, a U.S. Army sergeant. Brown, stunned at the sight of the 6’7” 13-year-old, began sending O’Neal workout routines, wanting to help strengthen him and make him faster. It initially failed — Brown says O’Neal was actually cut from his high school basketball team. Brown continued to send workout techniques to O’Neal, who eventually led his high school basketball SHAQ, see page 7
JOHN RAOUX / The Associated Press
Shaquille O’Neal listens as his college coach, LSU’s Dale Brown, announces O’Neal’s retirement from NBA basketball Friday at a press conference in Windermere, Fla.
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Football: Early enrollees begin practice, p. 7 Wednesday, March 30, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 116
CRIME
Alumnus, U-High grad to open skating store Meredith Will
LSUPD honored for high DWI rate
Contributing Writer
Two lifelong skaters are ramping up to take on Baton Rouge. Ben Boone, 2008 University alumnus, and Kyle Cox, 2001 University High School graduate, came together to start a skateboarding shop. The shop, called Fidna — slang for “about to” perform a move — will sell boards, clothing, shoes and other skateboarding necessities, Boone said. Boone earned a bachelor’s degree in printmaking from the School of Art, and he said he intends to use skills he learned at the University to design a logo, shirt and deck graphics. He said the store will feature artwork from skateboarders in the Baton Rouge area, which will be for sale with all profits going directly to the artists. Fidna will be located in a strip shopping center on Perkins Road and South Acadian Thruway, near Uncle Earl’s and Happy Note Lounge, Boone said. He said the store is expected to open in early May and will cater to college skateboarding customers. Boone said he and Cox are experienced in skating and are more passionate about skateboarding than earning money. Boone said he began skating at age 5, has been skating ever since and plans to skate the rest of his life. Cox said he began skateboarding at age 6. Cox and Boone became friends in middle school and considered opening a shop for years. They began planning Fidna last year. Boone said he became familiar with the industry through his personal pursuit of skating. “I’ve been around skate shops my whole life, so I know how they work,” Boone said. Cox said Fidna will strive to support lesser-known businesses and artists.
Officer praised for 24 arrests in 2010 Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
Skate or Die photo courtesy of BEN BOONE
FIDNA, see page 15
University alumnus Ben Boone performs a trick. Boone and Kyle Cox will open local skating shop “Fidna” in May.
The LSU Police Department was recently recognized by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission for completing the most driving while intoxicated arrests among state university police. LSUPD officers administered 66 DWIs in 2010 and 22 so far this year, according to Sgt. Kevin Scott, LSUPD spokesman. Scott said this is the first time LSUPD has won the award. Scott said LSUPD officer Justin Lanoux was also recognized for completing 24 DWI arrests, the most among university police officers in the state. Though there was no second place award, LSUPD officer Tyler Comeaux came close with 23 arrests. Scott said the award shows that LSUPD officers are observant and motivated. “Though we, LSU Police, have not dedicated officers strictly to DWI enforcement, this recognition shows proactive enforcement,” he said. “Drunken drivers DWI, see page 15
DISASTER RELIEF
RAs collect donations for Japan Banner campaign helps raise $522.06
Claire Caillier Contributing Writer
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
Mary Condo, resident assistant and animal, dairy and poultry science junior, helped raise $522.06 for disaster relief in the “Lend a Hand to Japan” fundraiser.
Two resident assistants in the Pentagon and Broussard community responded to the disaster in Japan on the day of the tragedy. Mary Condo, animal, dairy and poultry science junior, and
Grace Weber, public relations junior, began “Lend a Hand to Japan” to collect donations from residents to send to the Red Cross. Condo said she knew she needed to do something to help the morning she saw footage of the devastating earthquake. Condo, Weber and other resident assistants created fliers and banners and distributed decorated cups to residents. Residents were asked to put any change or donations in the cups.
As of Monday, the last day to donate, the collection totaled $522.06, Condo said. Condo said she was surprised by the amount collected. “Our goal was set at $300, which I thought was ambitious,” Condo said. “Within four days we reached $300.” Condo and Weber’s concept was inspired by last year’s “Change for Haiti” collection, JAPAN, see page 15
Tiger Feed: Read blogger Ryan Ginn’s take on the officiating of the St. John’s-Rutgers contest
Sports
Thursday, March 10, 2011
page 5
FOOTBALL
Tigers triumph in late win, send Sacred Heart packing
Final LSU coaching vacancy filled Rachel Whittaker Sports Writer
CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille
Junior outfielder Mikie Mahtook slides into second base Wednesday in the sixth inning of the Tigers’ 6-1 victory against Sacred Heart in Alex Box Stadium.
Rowan Kavner Sports Writer
It seemed a high-scoring battle was inevitable with the Sacred Heart baseball team’s ERA at 6.53 and batting average at .309 entering Wednesday night. Instead, it took until the sixth inning for the No. 16 LSU team to break a 1-1 tie and separate from the Pioneers (4-4)
with a 6-1 victory in the first ever matchup between the schools. Sacred Heart freshman pitcher Nick Leiningen threw a masterful six innings of two-hit ball in his first career collegiate start. Leiningen, a left-hander who had a 10.80 ERA in two previous relief appearances this season, fooled the Tigers
(12-1) with a multitude of off-speed pitches. “He was throwing so slow that it was very effective against us,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “It was slower than good hitting speed, and it just created a lot of problems for our kids.” PIONEERS, see page 8
The LSU football team will have no more coaching vacancies when it kicks off spring practice Friday. Giants assistant special teams coach Thomas McGaughey has accepted the position as LSU special teams coordinator. The hire fills the void left when Joe Robinson departed in February to be the North Carolina defensive line coach. McGaughey, THOMAS 37, will also be MCGAUGHEY an LSU defensive new special teams line coach. He coordinator has special teams coaching experience spanning the college and professional levels. McGaughey was special teams coordinator at the University of Houston, his alma mater, from 2003 to 2004. He was also a special teams assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2002 and the Denver Broncos from 2005 to 2006 before taking a Giants position in 2007. McGaughey was a Houston safety from 1991 to 1995, and a member of the Philadelphia Eagles (1996) and NFL Europe’s Barcelona Dragons (1997) before starting his coaching career. Follow Rachel Whittaker on Twitter @TDR_RWhittaker. Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com
RECRUITING
In-state linebacker recruits rare Three La. commits on Rivals Top 250 Mark Clements Sports Contributor
Despite Louisiana’s reputation as a hotbed for football talent, recruiting top-tier in-state linebackers hasn’t been an easy task for LSU. Derek Ponamsky, recruiting analyst and publisher of BayouBengalsInsider.com, said the 2012 class may change that. “In the last couple years, there really hasn’t been those big time guys at linebacker,” Ponamsky said.
“What you have had are guys that are good players, but maybe not the superstar type, whereas the 2012 class has a couple elite level guys.” Three of the five LSU 2012 commitments — Shreveport native Torshiro Davis, Edgard native Ronnie Feist and Thibodaux native Trey Granier — are local linebackers, and all are listed on the Rivals.com Top 250 watch list for next year. LSU has reached far to reel in big-time linebackers in the past. Former Tigers Kelvin Sheppard and Perry Riley hail from small Georgia towns, while senior Ryan Baker and former Tiger and AllAmerican linebacker Ali Highsmith are both Florida natives.
“Picking up linebackers in Louisiana is finally a reality this year,” said Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com. “They’ve already picked up a couple guys. ... They’re going after a few more.” Ponamsky said the lack of legitimate linebackers can be chalked up to the style of play and strategies of most Louisiana high schools. “At the high school level, if you’ve got a guy who can run and cover, you put him at safety. And if you’ve got a guy who’s physical and can get up the field, you put him at defensive end,” Ponamsky said. Dixon said many prototypical LINEBACKERS, see page 8
KERRY MALONEY / The Times-Picayune
White Castle quarterback Ronald Martin (left) tries to power through West St. John linebacker Ronnie Feist (right) on Nov. 12 during White Castle’s 12-0 victory.
Sports
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
page 5
Former NFL defensive tackle Art Moore turns to outreach, Christianity after near-death experience
Morgan Searles Staff Writer
After six seasons playing for the National Football League, former defensive tackle Art Moore was poisoned by rivals. Doctors told Moore he would probably die. This near-fatal event was the catalyst that eventually turned the 6-foot-6-inch athlete into the senior pastor of the Yes I Can! church in Baton Rouge. Moore and his wife Gail, a professional singer, started Yes I Can! as a non-profit in 1979. The ministry grew into a church located off Corporate Boulevard about a year ago. Moore grew up in Daingerfield, Texas, and at age 13 he longed to become a football player. After graduating from the University of Tulsa, Moore was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1973 before moving to the New England Patriots for most of his athletic career. In the late ’70s, while recovering from ‘Life is not the attack, Moore realized he and Gail had all about a unique platform to reach out to youth and impact their community. the things positively “After I got through the life and death you can situation, I believe the Lord spoke to me acquire, or and told me to leave the NFL,” Moore said. “My wife and I began to let young men and having a women know that life is not all about the big name things you can acquire, or having a big or having a big house — because I or having a name had all of that. But when I got sick I realbig house.’ ized none of that could do anything.” Moore said he and Gail began buildArt Moore former NFL player, ing a network across the nation. They used their backgrounds to draw crowds, telling Yes I Can! pastor people about the importance of making the right choices and following God. Their network expanded, and the Moores began conducting missionary outreach, bringing medicines to other countries in addition to developing local programs. The Moores toured around the country — and were invited to speak at The Dunham School in Baton Rouge. “For some reason we had three weeks in our calendar that wouldn’t book, so we came down here,” Art Moore said. “We thought maybe we had missed God. We prayed about it and have been here about 12 years.” Moore has held the Yes I Can! In Yo Face three-on-three basketball tournament in Baton Rouge for 10 years. The most recent event took place Saturday in University parking lot 174 MOORE, see page 7
MORGAN SEARLES / The Daily Reveille
Senior pastor at Yes I Can! church and former NFL defensive tackle Art Moore leads a prayer Saturday at the In Yo Face basketball tournament.
SOFTBALL
Beth Torina hired as head coach
Murphy backed out of job last week Michael Harb Contributing Writer
The LSU softball head coaching vacancy has been filled – for the second time this month. A week after Alabama softball head coach Patrick Murphy backed out of the position, LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva tabbed Florida International University’s Beth Torina on Monday afternoon to take the reins of the program. Torina compiled a 129-111 record at FIU, including a 38-21 showing in 2010 en route to her
second Sun Belt Coach of the Year distinction. That year Torina led the Lady Panthers to the school’s second NCAA Tournament and notched their first ever tournament victory. The 2010 season also featured a win against a 4th ranked Florida team, the school’s first victory against a Top 5 team. Under her tutelage, Torina saw 10 players receive a total of 14 AllSun Belt honors. Among these recipients was standout Ashley McClain, who this year earned her second consecutive First-Team All-Sun Belt and First-Team All-South Region honors as well as 2010 Player of the Year recognition. “We are extremely excited to welcome Beth to LSU and for her to take the leadership reins of our
softball program,” Alleva said in an Athletic Department news release. “She brings great passion, energy and character to our program and will wear the pur‘We are ple and gold with extremely pride.” In addition to excited to her four years as welcome FIU head coach, also served Beth to Torina as head assistant LSU.’ at the University of Houston for six Joe Alleva seasons, where athletic director she helped guide the Cougars to a 2007 Conference USA championship as well as two NCAA Regional berths.
TORINA, see page 7
photo courtesy of FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL SPORTS INFORMATION
FIU head coach Beth Torina encourages her team after a difficult inning April 10. The Golden Panthers went on to defeat ULL 6-2 at University Park Stadium in Miami, Fla.
Sports
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
page 5
DAVE MARTIN / The Associated Press
Auburn defensive tackle Nosa Equae speaks with reporters Friday during Southeastern Conference Football Media Days on Thursday in Hoover, Ala. Auburn and Alabama are both gunning for the 2012 SEC West title.
Mark Clements Sports Contributor
Last season’s final rankings revealed the strength of the Southeastern Conference Western Division. Five of six teams from the division finished ranked No. 15 or better, with Auburn sitting on top at the 14-0 mark. The SEC West also boasts three of the last four national title winners, the other being Florida from the SEC East.
So it’s no doubt that all eyes turned to the podium when last year’s Coach of the Year Award-winner took the stand to address his 2011 squad. “It’s been an incredible journey for myself, our assistant coaches at Auburn, our players, our fans [and] our Auburn family,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. “There’s been a lot of great things that have been happening at Auburn, but I know we’ve all moved on.” Next season’s journey may be rockier than the 2010 campaign.
Auburn won’t just be young — they will be statistically the youngest team in college football, graduating 20 seniors and returning only seven starters from last year’s championship team. “There’s going to be a lot of new names and a lot of new faces you’re going to have to get used to this year,” Chizik said. “We have a very young team. We are a little bit light on experience.” The two most glaring holes come with the losses of first-round draft selections – Heisman
Trophy winner Cam Newton and Rotary Lombardi Award winner Nick Fairley. “I don’t know that you can replace a Cam Newton or Nick Fairley in terms of production right away,” Chizik said. “They’re hard to replace. We all know that. We got some great young players, and hopefully we’ll get some guys that are productive.” But while one Alabama team’s outlook seems bleak, an in-state rival’s seems brighter. WEST, see page 7
FOOTBALL
Players adjust to life after LSU Competitive sports mindset an asset Kaci Yoder Contributing Writer
LSU football is a way of life for everyone in Louisiana. But for players, football season extends far beyond tailgate parties and four quarters. Members of the 2007 BCS National Championship winning team had to move on after graduation. The Tigers beat Ohio State 34-28 to take the national title in January 2008. Quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and
Matt Flynn went on to the pros. But for the rest of the team it was a lifechanging time. “It was hard to see the big picture and why things play out the way they do,” 2006-2009 linebacker Ace Foyil said of the months after he stepped off the field and into the next chapter of his life. Though their time in Tiger Stadium has ended, alumni find skills gained on the turf helped them find direction. Foyil struggled at first. “I wasn’t scared or intimidated to join the workforce,” he said. “Reality hit me pretty hard.” He said his training in strength and perseverance kept him on his
feet as he learned the hard way that dream jobs don’t come easily. “You appreciate what you’ve gone through and where you’ve ended up,” Foyil said of his journey from LSU to his current job as a sales representative for local Glazers Wholesale Liquor. “Those things end up making you who you are.” For other players, like offensive lineman Max Holmes, life after LSU meant finding a new identity. Holmes’ gridiron days weren’t over when he left LSU in 2008. He went on to play at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, eager to live up to his Tiger reputation. PLAYERS, see page 7
File photo
LSU offensive guard Lyle Hitt faces off at the line of scrimmage against Alabama defenders during the Tigers’ 21-27 loss to the Crimson Tide on Nov. 8, 2009.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Entertainment
page 13
Houston songs price hike in poor taste
Fellow artists, fans honor singer’s death
CATHERINE THRELKELD / The Daily Reveille
Students demonstrate a typical “Dungeons & Dragons” fantasy game board, featuring character miniatures, in the West Campus Apartments lobby Monday.
Many students hide gameplay for fear of stereotypes; others celebrate
Ryan Hoppens’ Friday night endeavors may come as a sur- secret Facebook page for players under the same guise. prise. Hoppens said he was initially apprehensive to play the game, The coastal and environmental science senior tells people given the nerdy stigma people often associate with “D&D”. he’s playing “Monopoly,” but he really travels But he was eventually lured in after observing to an unfamiliar world of magic, filled with friends embark on fantasy-filled adventures. David Jones strange creatures that can attack at any time. An entire adventure in “D&D” is called a Entertainment Writer Hoppens plays the fantasy-adventure game campaign, in which characters can fight in turn“Dungeons & Dragons,” in which players venture through fic- based battles, Hoppens explained. One campaign can last days or tional worlds and encounter mischief along the way. weeks or even extend indefinitely. Almost every week, Hoppens and his friends play the game, DUNGEONS, see page 15 though they disguise it as “Monopoly.” The group also has a
“You don’t have to be a nerd to play and know this game.” Kevin Willis, chemistry senior
When a generation loses its voice, the world mourns. Whitney Houston was the voice of the previous generation. Her death, while not surprising in light of her problems with drugs and alcohol and her tumultuous relationship with Bobby Brown, is still shocking and upsetting, to say the least. Although official toxicology results won’t be out Taylor Balkom for more than Entertainment a month, I’m Writer going to assume her death was drug related. Reports have been swirling about her erratic behavior around the Beverly Hilton Hotel before she died, so it’s not a crazy assumption. In the days following her death Saturday, many artists offered tributes to her memory. Long-time mentor Clive Davis shared heartfelt words at a pre-Grammy party she was supposed to attend. LL Cool J opened The Grammy Awards with a prayer for Houston, saying, “We’ve had a death in our family.” WHITNEY, see page 15
MUSIC
Freshman wins spot on URock Reed to perform in New York, Miami Austen Krantz Entertainment Writer
Few go from recording songs on a friend’s equipment to a nationwide tour in one day, but Seanil “Nilly” Reed is one of them. The mechanical engineering freshman won a spot on the URock Tour, which pairs unsigned artists with mainstream performers, after submitting an entry form with encouragement from his younger sister. The URock Tour is a contest featuring selected musicians from all musical genres who will perform
across the country from Los Angeles to New York. The tour will include shows by popular hip-hop artists like T.I., Wale, Big Sean and Soulja Boy. Reed will compete to win $10,000 in cash, $30,000 in prizes from Def Jam Recordings, a record deal, a major tour contract and studio time for upcoming projects. The tour partners with major record labels like Def Jam, Capital City Promotions and MTV. “The fast acceptance was pretty over the top for me,” Reed said. He submitted two songs, a photo and a biography and was told he would receive a response after three to five days. The URock Tour emailed him back the next day. Reed said he didn’t know how to process the news at first.
“People started telling me, ‘Do you know how big this is? You know that such-and-such is going to be there?’” he said. But this isn’t the beginning of this rapper’s musical career. Reed released three mixtapes in the last year, as well as a song about LSU football. He hopes to continue to create, despite the inconvenience of using recording equipment of a friend who lives in Dallas. “If I had my own recording space, I would put out more,” he explained. “I’m just using what I have right now.” Reed said he also hopes to create music videos because he sees YouTube as a great promotional tool. UROCK, see page 15
photo courtesy of SEANIL REED
Seanil “Nilly” Reed, mechanical engineering freshman, will perform with Wale in the URock Tour in five major cities across the country including New York and Miami.
Sports
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
page 5
FOOTBALL
Recruits perform well at combine
Steven Powell Editor-in-Chief
Morgan Searles Staff Writer
Last year when former LSU football coach Jerry Stovall received a phone call from Joe Alleva, vice chancellor and director of athletics, he was surprised by the casual nature of the conversation. When Alleva asked Stovall how his day was going, Stovall answered, “Pretty well.” Alleva said he knew something that could make it better. Alleva told Stovall he had been selected to become a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Now Stovall is preparing for the next step in his Hall of Fame membership. The Enshrinement Festival will be held this weekend in South Bend, Indiana. Stovall plans to attend with his family. STOVALL, see page 7
LSU football fans have more to look forward to than the 2011 opening game against the Oregon Ducks in Cowboys Stadium. Last weekend LSU prospect Landon Collins took home the SPARQ ratings national championship title at “The Opening” combine, in addition to being voted MVP. The four-star senior defensive back from Dutchtown High School hasn’t committed to a university. But according to Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com, Collins is “LSU’s to lose.” The Opening is a national combine sponsored by Nike and used to gauge talent and athletic ability. The Opening gives high school players a chance to learn from professional players and coaches. In addition to Collins’ stellar performance, two more players from Louisiana — Lamar Louis and defensive end Torshiro Davis, both from Shreveport and both LSU commitments — had a strong showing at the invitation-only event. Dixon said the combine gave Louis a chance to showcase his talent, as he sat the season out because of suspension. Louis’ future position is undecided, pending between outside linebacker and defensive end. Louisiana sent a fourth player to the combine, senior safety Cyril Noland of Ruston, but Dixon said he’s not likely to attend LSU. Athletes at The Opening worked with top players like Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, Cardinals rookie and former LSU star COMBINE, see page 7
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
LSU named possible NCAA host Tournament would boost local tourism Steven Powell Editor-in-Chief
In women’s basketball coach Nikki Caldwell’s first season at LSU, she may have an opportunity coaches dream about — starting the NCAA Tournament on her home court. LSU was selected as one of 16 possible sites to host the first and second rounds of the tournament, a common occurrence. LSU played
host six times in the last 14 years, most recently in 2009. Miriam Segar, senior associate athletic director, said making it to the tournament would be ideal. “It’s an advantage to play at home where you’re comfortable and able to sleep in your own beds,” she said. “We have our fans behind us, and it gives us a great environment to play in.” Segar said LSU was chosen because of its basketball tradition. The school boasts a “great bid package” of high estimated ticket sales, a competitive arena and a history of successfully hosting events, she said.
Although Caldwell was out of town and could not be reached for comment by The Daily Reveille, she said in a statement that the team’s goal is to play in front of its own fans come March Madness. “That process isn’t something that happens overnight,” she said in the statement. “It starts by what we are doing now this off-season and how hard we work into the fall. The opportunity to host NCAA Tournament games in our own venue is great for our fans, the University and the city of Baton Rouge. LSU has a TOURNAMENT, see page 7
File photo
The PMAC may again serve as the arena for the 2012 NCAA Tournament opener. The stadium has played host six times in the last 14 years, most recently in 2009.
page 4 FOREST, from page 1
Sicard said she doesn’t think there’s a shortage of beds on campus, and the University may have ‘It’s important more important that everyone issues to adhas a chance dress. to live on Samantha campus.’ Prudhomme, early childSamantha hood education Prudhomme sophomore, disearly childhood agrees. education sophomore
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Prudhomme said she thinks the University should increase the amount of on-campus living space to give all students a chance to live where they want. “Even if they wind up with excess, it’s important that everyone has a chance to live on campus,” she said. She said she lived in Herget Hall last year and thinks freshmen should live on campus for at least a year to get the “full college experience.” Though the hypothetical building would increase the number of
beds on campus by 330, David said the University doesn’t currently plan to require incoming freshmen to live on campus. “This construction is to build the inventory to the point to have housing for students that want to live on campus and will allow the closure of Kirby Smith,” she said.
Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com
STATE
Infrastructure fails first report card State’s dams earn best mark with BEmily Herrington Staff Writer
The first-ever Louisiana infrastructure report card was released last week, and the results aren’t pretty. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ study, compiled over the course of 18 months by a team of more than 50 civil engineers, evaluated nine major components of the state’s infrastructure — aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, levees, ports, roads, solid GRADES: waste and Aviation: C wastewater. Bridges: D+ The reDams: BCONNOR TARTER / The Daily Reveille port for each Drinking water: D+ component in- The Horace Wilkinson Bridge and nearby levee are, according to an ASCE report, in Levees: Ccluded a grade, desperate need of maintenance. Levees earned a C- while bridges were awarded a D+. Ports: Can explanation Roads: D and a recom- flaw is due to an obsolete funding but internationally,” he said. Solid waste: C+ mendation for model, the report found. The report was compiled as an Wastewater: Cimprovement. “Louisiana’s road system is act of civic duty, not to embarrass The study congested, in poor condition and in- officials or push a political agenda, includes a total of 42 specific recom- adequate to meet the needs of a state Movassaghi said. mendations, said Nedra Davis, com- competing to provide economic op“We worked together as good munications director for the report portunities for businesses and citi- citizens and good civil engineers to card operation. bring it to the attention [of] the pubzens,” the report reads. Kam Movassaghi, executive While Movassaghi was unable lic and hopefully that will start a condirector for the report card opera- to estimate the necessary level of versation,” he said. tion, said the study results The report was compiled by funding to address Louisi‘Louisiana’s ana’s infrastructure prob- volunteer engineers, David said. demonstrate a need for improvement. road system is lems, he said the Depart- The only paid contributor was Mark “If you score like that congested, ment of Transportation and Lambert, report card editor-in-chief. on your academic endeav“There hasn’t been an effort like Development estimated the in poor or, your parents will not be current price tag for exist- this before,” Davis said. condition and ing road and bridge maintevery happy,” he said. The ASCE will continue to The grades are based inadequate to nance is $12 billion. share the report, she said. on capacity, condition, meet the needs “Each congressional member Movassaghi said the funding, future needs, opwill receive a copy,” Davis said. “We report card was created to of a state erations and maintenance, bring the poor condition of hope everyone is as upset [by the public safety and resil- competing to the state’s infrastructure to findings] as we are, so they’ll utilize provide ience, according to the rethe public’s attention. Loui- that information to make a change.” port. siana does not place high economic Future plans were also opportunities priority on maintaining its taken into consideration infrastructure, he said, and Contact Emily Herrington at when assigning grades, for businesses neglect has led to major eherrington@lsureveille.com Movassaghi said. Catego- and citizens.’ problems. ries with dedicated funds “If you don’t maintain The American it continuously, the program and remedy plans earned higher grades. Society of Civil will grow multi-folds. A $1 State dams received repair today will become a Engineers the best grade with a B-. $16 repair down the road,” According to the report, he said. “That’s what happened to at least 290 of Louisiana’s 555 dams our state over the years.” are older than 50 years, and 444 Movassaghi said he hopes the dams are privately owned. Only 33 report’s release will lead to a public dams have a high hazard potential, push for infrastructure maintenance. meaning the loss of one life is likely “If we don’t take care of our inif the dam fails. frastructure, we’re going to continue The state’s lowest score was a D to lose our economic competitivefor roads. Almost every road system ness — not only among other states,
“A man who stops advertising to save money, is like a man who stops the clock to save time.”
-Henry Ford
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 BRIDGES, from page 1
Bridges said the two girls set to attend William Frantz Elementary with her dropped out two days before school began. On her ďŹ rst day, Bridges climbed the steps to the school amid crowds of protestors only to sit in the principal’s ofďŹ ce to wait for the end of the day. The next day, the crowds doubled in size as locals learned which speciďŹ c schools would integrate, Bridges said. Instead of going to the principal’s ofďŹ ce, she continued to her classroom alone.
“I looked into the classroom and saw empty desks,â€? Bridges said. “I thought to myself, ‘My mom brought me to school too early.’ And indeed she had — years too early.â€? For weeks, Bridges attended school alone and was taught by Barbara Henry, a teacher from Boston hired speciďŹ cally to instruct her. Bridges described Henry as the “nicest teacher I ever had,â€? who ďŹ lled her day with activities and games along with coursework. “She made school fun,â€? Bridges said. “I never missed a day that whole year, and neither did she. She did everything she could to keep my
The Daily Reveille mind off of what was happening outside.â€? On the day she ďŹ nally joined other students, Bridges was faced with racism from one of her classmates. A young boy used the N-word to explain that his mother had forbidden him to play with her. It was at that moment that Bridges said she understood her situation. “When he said that, I remember thinking, ‘So that is what this is about,’â€? Bridges said. “It is not Mardi Gras. I am not going to college. It is about me and the color of my skin.â€?
page 19 While her fellow students’ rejection disappointed Bridges, she said it did not anger her. In her youth, she understood that instructions from parents were not to be broken. Bridges has since moved on to telling her story and teaching lessons of racial equality to schoolchildren across the country. “They are so drawn to the story ... because they put themselves in the shoes of this child,� Bridges said, referring to herself. “They understand the loneliness, but what they don’t understand is why that is happening to you, especially when it comes at the hands of an adult.�
Involvement • Leadership • Service
Bridges said racism existed then and persists today, and it must be ended through the education of children. She closed by directly addressing the law students in attendance. “You have a huge burden upon your shoulders. We have to have the right laws in place,� she said. “We are all expecting great things from you. We have got to turn this place around.�
Contact Paul Braun at pbraun@lsureveille.com
Watch for this ad every Tuesday! Facebook: LSU Campus Life Twitter: @LSUCampusLife
GEAUX Â LEAD Â RETREAT Campus Life Student Spotlight: Aaron Caffarel
See past spotlights at campuslife.lsu.edu Senior; Major: International Studies/Spanish/History; from Baton Rouge, La Aaron is Speaker of the Student Senate. Besides being in Tiger Band, he plays piano and French horn and would like to learn to play the violin. Favorite thing to do: Eat at Plucker’s after Senate meetings Favorite music:Acoustic Alternative Favorite TV: Once Upon a Time, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy Favorite movies: Crash, Atonement, Mean Girls Favorite books: Harry Potter series, Lord of the Rings Other Organizations: Students on Target, Flagship Advocates, Up ‘til Dawn, Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa Campus Life Spotlight showcases the diversity of involved students at LSU. Send nominations to jruck@lsu.edu with name, email and why they should be in the Spotlight.
SUN 5 20 12
-Â WED Â 5 23 12
A  four-Âday,  off-Âcampus  leadership  development  experience  that  will  change  your  life.  Open  to  all  LSU  students. Apply  at  www.lsu.edu/campuslife  by  Friday  April  27    NO  CHARGE  TO  ATTEND!
NO Â EXPERIENCE Â NECESSARY!
Student Activiities Board presents...
Black Light Rave Foam Party Glow in the Dark Painting Station Live DJ: DJ MidasTouch !
!
Friday Apr 20 8pm-â€?12am campuslife.lsu.edu    578-Â5160
FRIDAY, APRIL PRIL 27 11AM–2PM
#
WED, APRIL 18 4:30 PM
#
$ # " $
Thursday, July 7, 2011 BEACHES, from page 1
Other beaches were also recovering from hur‘Fourteen ricanes Katrina Rita in 2005 months and and Gustav and after the Ike in 2008. Many beaches in Camspill Parish have we have eron not returned to recovered pre-storm levels, others are fairly well.’ while inaccessible. Jacques BerJacques Berry communications ry, Office of the director, Office of the Lieutenant GovLieutenant Governor ernor communications director, said beaches have recovered dramatically since the oil spill last year. “The beaches are looking 100 percent better. Every once in a while
LGBTQ, from page 1 Ferrari Howell agreed there are prejudices toward professors. “Anybody, whether they are gay, transgender or lesbian, faces discrimination,” said the political communication sophomore. “It’s not verbalized as much because your grade depends on [discretion] when it is your professor. But secretly students do talk about it.” Sam Wheelock, sports administration senior, expressed a similar sentiment. “Most students would discriminate against gay, lesbian or transgender professors just because of stereotype, but in the end they are your professor. They would be teaching you in the same way any other professor would,” he said. Matthew Patterson, a member of the LSU LGBTQ club Spectrum, said there have been many incidents on campus sparked by people’s sexual orientations or gender identities. “Female staff members have been told to wear skirts instead of pants to look more feminine,” said the physics graduate student. “Professors have referred to transgender students as ‘it.’” He said LSU fosters a negative, discriminatory environment. “LSU is a large, Southern university. It is not as tight knit of a
a tar ball will show up on the beach, but the crews that helped clean the beaches did a great job,” said Berry. “The study only included two beaches out of the 7,500 miles of shoreline in Louisiana. ... But it is true that we are still recovering from the worst man-made disaster in history.” Tourism in Louisiana has naturally faced a setback this year. “We are studying the trend,” Berry said. “Fourteen months after the spill we have recovered fairly well. There is still a regional interest in Louisiana beaches, but we need to attract a national interest again. We have to convince people that Louisiana is open for business.” Beaches in other states are also suffering. Bacterial pollution is increasing in beaches across the country. In 2010 the number of beach closings community as where I attended undergraduate school,” he said. “LGBTQ groups just don’t get as much support.” Spectrum and Patterson have advocated for Louisiana House Bill 112 for this reason. According to Patterson, Louisiana already has a state law to stop bullying. But the current law does not address harrassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in primary and high schools. East Baton Rouge Parish, along with five other parishes, does not have a law protecting against any form of bullying. HB 112 was initially written with a section that outlawed bullying of LGBTQ students. It was amended to outlaw bullying of any kind. The bill did not pass. “Conservative political groups do not want to recognize gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual groups even exist,” Patterson said. “They will take away rights of others to make sure that happens. That’s just how it works here.”
Contact Laura Furr at lfurr@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille BEST BEACHES: Delaware, Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, Alabama.
DIRTIEST BEACHES: Louisiana, Rhode Island, Illinois, Mississippi, Florida, Maine, New York, South Carolina.
and advisories reached the second highest level in NRDC history at 24,091 closings. From April 2010 until the study concluded on June 15, 2011, there have been a total of 9,474 days of oil-related beach notices, advisories and closures at Gulf Coast beaches. Seventy-five percent of those closures are because of bacteria levels exceeding health standards.
page 11 High bacterial levels put swimmers at risk for waterborne illnesses. According to the NRDC, illnesses associated with polluted beach water include skin rashes, pink eye, respiratory infections, meningitis, hepatitis and the stomach flu. The Environmental Protection Agency, following pressure from the NRDC, has agreed to update its beach water quality standards by 2012 in order to keep up with increasing levels of contamination and further protect tourists. The EPA is required to conduct studies and surveys, produce water tests with same-day results and protect beachgoers from a broad range of waterborne illnesses. Contact Laura Furr at lfurr@lsureveille.com
BUS TRIP, from page 1
Students will have to pay individual fees, Wells said. Student costs will include game tickets, bus fare, lunch and a “goodie bag.” Wells said current plans include five chartered buses that would leave early the morning of the game. “We’d get there an hour before the game, watch the game, and the students would have about 45 minutes after the game to get back to the buses to drive home,” he said. A record-setting 37,000 general public tickets are sold out, according to the LSU Athletic Department. Kickoff is Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.
Contact Rachel Wilson at rwilson@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, July 14, 2011 LA GRAD ACT, from page 1
ROOMMATES NEEDED Two female roommates needed in 3 bed 3 bath house near LSU. Law students or grad students preferable. $600/mon. plus utilities. Avail. 7/1 or 8/1 -please call 225.247.0804
KILLING LONLINESS 21-Year-old Male looking for a female of any age to help defeat this great foe. Must be able to appreciate music of any kind and enjoy the company of another person! Email adventuresforus@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------PRETTY, SMART, IN ENGINEERING Chemical engineering freshman who loves to party looking for a man to take her out, show her a good time, and cuddle afterwards. Must be able to put up with my mindless rambling and flirting with everyone and take care of me when I’ve partied too hard. oneshottwoshotthreeshotfloor@yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------YOU THERE. want to ride around listening to music? wander the park at night? play stupid games that don’t make much sense to anyone else, sound interesting? text 225.636.1230 or email whiteknightblacktie@gmail.com.
institutional functionality. The University estimates the new flexibilities will allow administrators to save more than $52 million over the first five years of implementation. Another goal of the act is to boost data and transparency, requiring officials to monitor individual credits and offer early warnings when students fall behind. Jindal said the amount schools spend per student varies widely, but spending is not clearly related to student performance. However, the new legislation will help the state identify debt practices for investing higher education dollars wisely and share these techniques with other institutions. Jindal said the revisions will cut red tape and make state oversight less bureaucratic and burdensome. The first LA GRAD Act was a foundation for improving outcomes in higher education. Jindal said the future may see even more progress, noting a change in the Board of Regents funding and continued measures toward excellence in Louisiana’s higher education institutions. “The legislation we will sign into law today takes the next step by operationalizing key components of last year’s framework,” Jindal said. “It cuts through state micromanagement in campus operations, allowing institutions to achieve their potential and [giving] them more and better streamlined data.” Chancellor Michael Martin said he is pleased leaders in the state have
committed to improving higher education. “This act will give us the chance to adopt ... practices that in many instances have been well tested across the country,” Martin said. “We can be as competitive on the operational side of this institution as we are on the football field or the basketball arena. ... I can commit to you on behalf of my colleagues across the state that we won’t let you down.” Despite state efforts, Louisiana’s six year graduation rate of 37 percent is still below the national average of 52 percent. Louisiana has the 13th highest number of dollars spent on students who drop out within a year. Jindal said he believes this act will transform student outcomes for the better by giving campuses the flexibility and tools they need to improve graduation rates and performance. “For too many years we’ve paid schools simply to be bigger, simply to offer more degree options whether they were needed or not,” Jindal said. “To instead change the incentives to say now we’re really going to be focused on rewarding campuses based on completion rates, retention rates, graduation rates and the success of students post-graduation truly is changing the culture and will change the performance of higher education in Louisiana.”
Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com
page 11 MORGANZA, from page 1
The Bonnet Carre Spillway was also opened to protect New Orleans from floods May 9, diverting river water into Lake Pontchartrain and relieving pressure on levee systems downriver. Ultimately, 330 of the spillway’s 350 bays were opened before the Corps began closing them June 12. The last 20 bays were closed June 20. The Mississippi’s water levels reached record heights of 45 feet in Baton Rouge in May. This was three feet below the primary levee line but five feet above what is considered a “major” flooding stage. It was predicted that the levees around Baton Rouge could not withstand this pressure. The Old River Control Structure was built after the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 to withstand water pressures in Baton Rouge of 1.5 million cubic feet/second. Officials feared pressure would top this, forcing them into action. The Corps debated three scenarios. Regardless of choice, the Atchafalaya Basin had to be flooded to ensure the safety of levee systems in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. In May, Governor Bobby Jindal predicted that 2,500 residents and 2,000 structures would be impacted by the opening of the spillway. Local officials ordered mandatory evacuations for hundreds of residents in the Atchafalaya
Basin, but flooding in those areas was significantly less severe than initially expected. The Corps estimated water would flow from the gates at 114,000 cubic feet/second at the Morganza Spillway when it was first opened. Though results were less dramatic than anticipated, the state faced several setbacks because of the flood. According to The Associated Press, the Bonnet Carre Spillway carried the Mississippi’s fresh water into brackish Lake Pontchartrain, and from there into the Gulf, for six weeks. The fresh water could cause problems for oyster harvesters, whose coastal beds depend on salt water. The beds have been fragile since last year’s BP oil spill. Another byproduct of the spring flood has been the deposits of silt carried down from the midwest and deposited near the river’s mouth south of New Orleans. Dredges have been working to keep the channel clear for shipping. The port complex between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is among the world’s busiest. The silt caused an oil tanker to run aground near the mouth of the river in June, but it was eventually freed from the muck.
Contact Laura Furr at lfurr@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 20
POP GOES THE CULTURE
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Media bias revealed in CBS, GQ assessment of University The University has gotten some bad press lately. It began March 18, when GQ Magazine ranked LSU football fans No. 10 in the “The Worst Sports Fans In America” list. The article labeled us “deep-fried lunatics,” citing beer bottle-throwing, drunken “Tiger bait!” chanting and a 2008 Daily Reveille video in which two female staffers were harassed while masquerading as Alabama fans. One could easily dismiss the assessment, chalking it up to the dubious-at-best GQ. How seriously can we consider a piece that sarcastically describes itself as a “heavily researched, highly scientific accounting” of U.S. sports followings but includes the Montreal Canadiens? Gameday celebrations sometimes get out of hand, but simply being rowdy and intimidating is a fan’s duty. Numerous credible publications like Sports Illustrated and ESPN, which consistently list LSU among the best fan bases and tailgating experiences, understand this. You can trust some journalism
sources. Some you can’t. Add CBS to those you can’t. On March 22, CBS Evening News aired correspondent Michelle Miller’s story on low retention and graduation rates at colleges nationwide. The report became a tale of two universities — Maryland and LSU — and insinuated our dear old alma mater only offers study aids to athletes. A m e r i c a ’s entire higher education system is Kelly Hotard suffering, not just Louisiana’s. But Columnist if you’re going to use this state as the backdrop for a report on combating low university graduation rates, why not invoke the most notorious current example, the proposed merger of Southern University-New Orleans and the University of New Orleans? Someone familiar with Louisiana’s higher education climate — especially a reporter who has lived and
BEST AND WITTIEST
worked here, attended and taught at Louisiana universities and is married to a former New Orleans mayor — knows this story would’ve been better set at SUNO or UNO. Interestingly, Miller earned her master’s degree at UNO, and her husband has vocally opposed the suggested merger. If LSU had SUNO’s 8 percent graduation rate or UNO’s 21 percent, the story would make sense. Instead, the University, which boasts the fourth-highest rate in Louisiana and surpasses the national average, according to The Times-Picayune, became the testament to higher education failure. Why? Ernie Ballard, University director of media relations, told Reveille Weekend that CBS chose to focus on “a prominent university that was doing well in football that people would recognize.” Our gridiron greatness made us the easiest target — not the truest example. The story, therefore, wasn’t about national graduation rates. It
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Budget cuts loom, new plants bloom Over the past two weeks, I have noticed that along Nicholson Drive on the corner of Burbank Drive right across from Alex Box Stadium there have been a lot of trees and bushes being planted in the areas that are used for parking on football and baseball game days. It looks like they even installed an irrigation system for this new landscaping.
SHOW ALL COMMENTS As usual, our website, lsureveille. com, has been absolutely buzzing with reader comments. Check it out today, and let your voice be heard. Regarding Zachary Davis’ column, “Refugees a part of change, should not be rejected by US,” readers had this to say:
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
The Daily Reveille
“I’m sure that we should help when we can, but in this country, Mexican illegals have about broke our economy. Medical and education for the illegals cannot continue. We’re building schools like crazy to house them
was about pitting athletics against academics, athlete versus student. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is Media Stereotyping 1001. The newsgathering process should resemble the scientific method: The goal is solving problems and answering questions objectively. Reporters might harbor biases or hypotheses, but they ideally let the evidence tell the outcome. Unfortunately, results are often skewed to fit internalized ideas. Even in news analysis, this is unacceptable. The facts cannot be changed, and the public cannot be denied access to the truth. By chopping interviewees’ words and excluding the University’s countless academic outreach programs, CBS proves guilty of both. After the story aired, Ballard sent a reproachful letter to its producer, who regretted LSU’s reaction and felt the coverage was fair. It wasn’t. GQ and CBS might have contrasting journalistic reputations, but with these stories, their philosophies are identical: A “reporter” begins
with preconceived notions and does everything necessary, from research to interviews to writing to editing, to strengthen his or her case. It’s persuasion rather than reporting, and it’s wrong. CBS’ response implies an important lesson: When news outlets refuse to acknowledge blatant errors, it’s up to consumers to call out shady journalism when we see it. Yet most audiences are desensitized to these frequently distorted representations. The mass media are obligated to disseminate the full truth about their subjects, and audiences are duly bound to uphold to this standard.
In these times of financial crisis that the University is supposedly in, I think money can be better spent elsewhere rather than on landscaping which, when football season comes around, will be just parked on and destroyed. This new landscaping looks nice, but how is this getting paid for in a time of budget cuts and the University having to raise tuition and fees? Is it me, or could the money spent on new landscaping be better spent on more important things — like, say, retaining professors or maintaining the level of academic
programs that are in danger of being on the chopping block. I wonder sometimes about the things this University spends money on. Apparently, landscaping is more important than academic programs. We might not have the best academic programs soon due to lack of funds, but we will have the best landscaped overflow parking lots around.
and they usually drop out of school and we’re still stuck paying for those buildings. Property taxes are going through the roof. They don’t pay taxes, work for cash that never gets reported etc. Hospitals are broke yet we continue to pay. I know you haven’t begun to pay for this and am sorry for you as our debt continues to grow and you and the next generations will have to pay and pay and you’ll begin to think what am I working for.......I can’t hardly buy food for my children. Wake up, time is working against you.” -Anonymous
Regarding The Daily Reveille article, “Gymnastics: Tigers fail to advance in NCAA regional,” readers had this to say:
Editorial Policies & Procedures
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass CommuniEditorial Board cation. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, Sarah Lawson Editor-in-Chief paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone Robert Stewart Managing Editor, Content number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily ReveilStephanie Giglio Art Director le reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the origiSteven Powell Managing Editor, External Media nal intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired evDevin Graham Opinion Editor ery semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
Kelly Hotard is a 19-year-old mass communication junior from Picayune, Miss. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_khotard.
Contact Kelly Hotard at khotard@lsureveille.com
Finance senior Jason Myers
Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
“song remain the same and the coach who has brought us 34 years of being behind and never beating Ala, UGA, UF etc, we have finished 4 or 5th in a 7 team sec!!!! 6 years in a row, when will it end, thanks for the 34 years now let’s get someone who can win, at least a ‘little’ bit.” -34yearsofnothing Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
Quote of the Day “World leaders looked at the mounting threat of terrorism, looked up [and] looked away.”
John Boehner American politician Nov. 17, 1949 — Present
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 WHITNEY, from page 13
Twitter was filled with kind words about the R&B songstress, and #RIPWhitney was a trending topic on the day following her death. Perhaps the best tribute was Jennifer Hudson’s spine-tingling rendition of “I Will Always Love You” during the Grammys. It was fitting, since Houston gave Hudson her first Grammy in 2009. President Barack Obama issued a statement about Houston, saying his prayers go out to the family. Press Secretary Jay Carney said Obama admired the singer’s “immense talent” and called the death a tragedy, according to The Associated Press.
Unfortunately, not everyone remembered Houston’s life with kind words and song. Sony Music increased the price of “The Ultimate Collection” from £4.99 to £7.99 on the British iTunes Store hours after her death, The Guardian reports. Distasteful? A bit. I understand music labels are out to make as much money as possible and aren’t known for their morals. But this is so comically evil, it’s hard to believe. Houston literally died hours before. The first thing to jump to anyone’s mind should not have been, “Let’s make money off of this.” But music executives wouldn’t dare pass
The Daily Reveille up a chance to earn a quick buck. The album was returned to its original price at the end of the day, but the damage was already done. Houston’s voice is unforgettable. Her 1991 performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Super Bowl XXV is the best version of the national anthem I’ve ever heard. Personal issues aside, Houston’s youthful spirit and contagious smile will live on. While Sony decided to capitalize on her death, her other tributes paid perfect homage to a sensational singer. Contact Taylor Balkom at tbalkom@lsureveille.com
DUNGEONS, from page 13
further character depth. Characters are usually represented by miniature game pieces, but a player can also sport garb of his or her imaginary characters. One player, who assumes the role of Dungeon Master, creates a fantasy world, which is mapped out on a giant grid for the characters to venture through. “The Dungeon Master has to be very imaginative and quick-thinking,” Hoppens said. “You’re basically figuring out what he is thinking.” Hoppens, who has been playing for about a year now, said his current Dungeon Master’s attention to plot and character development is what he enjoys most. “It goes beyond what most games do,” Hoppens said. “Some people may like fighting, and some may like solving puzzles. It has a lot to offer.” Kevin Willis, chemistry senior, said he enjoys game strategy and how challenging role-playing games can sometimes be. Although Willis doesn’t play D&D, he said he does enjoying playing other role-playing games, like Dark Heresy. Willis said he keeps his participation in role-playing games hidden when meeting new people. He doesn’t appreciate stereotypes about gamers, especially because he knows a diverse group of people who play. “You don’t have to be a nerd to play and know this game, “ Willis said. “I don’t appreciate how [the stereotypes] put these negative connotations with RPG players.” Willis, who has been playing for about six months, frequents Little Wars, a local gaming store on Jefferson Highway that specializes in roleplay and war games. Little Wars manager Jeff Long said the store offers a neutral gaming area for people who are interested in role-playing. He said he understands the stereotypes that surround roleplaying because many people are ignorant of what players actually do. “All the role-playing games, no matter how good of a game, it does sound really dumb from the outside,” Long said. Long said he encourages people to try role-playing games because they give players an escape and a chance to awaken their imagination. Hoppens said he enjoys the freedom of playing D&D. He said he plays video games but they are often too structured and plagued by monotony. “After a certain amount of time, the [video] game is the same,” Hoppens said. “The characters and move
CATHERINE THRELKELD / The Daily Reveille
Ryan Hoppens, coastal and environmental science senior, demonstrates Dungeons & Dragons gameplay and rules Monday in the West Campus Apartments lobby.
sets don’t change. You’re kind of repeating yourself.” Both Hoppens and Long said games serve as a social outlet. Hoppens said he and his friends spend up to five hours playing D&D and enjoying food and friendship. Hoppens, who said calling their game nights “Monopoly” is now more of a joke than a cover-up, is
content with people knowing he is an avid D&D fan and player. “I have enough fun playing that I don’t care what anyone has to say about it,” Hoppens said.
Contact David Jones at djones@lsureveille.com
page 15 UROCK, from page 13
“My music can only go so far in the amount of people it reaches, and YouTube is the best outlet for that,” he said. Some of Reed’s tracks on YouTube have reached thousands of hits, with his LSU football song boasting more than 50,000 views. Reed’s music career began with basketball. “My var‘I want my sity basketball lyrics to have team needed a substance. I song to warm up to,” Reed don’t want it said. “That was to just be me my first time talking.’ actually writing Seanil Reed my own lyrics. mechanical engineering It went from freshman there, to a mixtape, to two mixtapes, to three mixtapes, to all of this.” Along the way, Reed developed a unique style. He seeks to drive home a message and wants to separate from distasteful mainstream rap. “My rhymes are clean and respectable, but at the same time it gives that edge that explicit lyrics do,” he explained. “I want my lyrics to have substance. I don’t want it to be me just talking.” Reed searches for substance every day, carrying a notebook to jot down anything he can transform into thoughtful lyricism. “Any time I have a thought, I just pull it out and write it down,” Reed said. He explained his style exhibits elements of fellow URock Tour performer Wale’s music. “Some of his lyrics can be seen through some of my lyrics — like similar flow and similar ideas,” Reed said. But Reed said he derives inspiration primarily from rapper-producer J. Cole. “From metaphors, to lyrics, to style, to the substance in which he’s talking about something, he’s that guy,” Reed said.
URock allowed Reed to choose six dates of the 13 available shows. He selected Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Dallas and New Orleans. “I want to go back home because I’m originally from New Orleans,” he said. “That will be exciting because a lot of my family and friends are there.” Reed can’t decide which city is most exciting. “I’ve never been to Los Angeles, I’ve never been to New York City, so it has to be a tie between L.A. and New York,” he said. Even before the tour begins, Reed has received support from a growing number of fans, he said. “Ever since this has happened, all kind of people have been coming out of nowhere with all kinds of support,” he said. “I’ve been waiting on a break like this.” Reed said he wants the University behind him. Specifically, his goal is to have a song played in Tiger Stadium. Reed has contacted multiple sources in an attempt to organize a song broadcast and is still working at it. “If I get the school behind me, locally, I feel like I can do anything,” he said. “To hear my song in Tiger Stadium — other than me getting a record deal — that’s top notch.”
Contact Austen Krantz at akrantz@lsureveille.com
Don't spend this Valentine's Day with
BEN & JERRY.
IT’S FREE!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
SOFTBALL
The Daily Reveille
Falcon to return to field after recovery
2011 season cut short due to injury Scott Branson Sports Contributor
A season-ending injury of any kind, in any sport, can forever hinder an athlete’s success. LSU softball redshirt sophoAUSTIN BENNETT / The Daily Reveille more infielder Allison Falcon is Sophomore infielder Allison Falcon swings at the ball Feb. 12 during the Tigers’ 8-0 win against the LA Tech Bulldogs at Tiger Park. showing how watching from the dugout for almost an entire season provides ample motivation. “I just thought she was one she didn’t have any qualms about field, she just produces for us, esFalcon suffered an ankle in- of our best hitters,” Torina said. hitting at the bottom of the order. pecially in key situations.” jury a week into the 2011 season “I was just trying to get her more “I like hitting in the ninewhen she stepped on a loose ball at-bats.” hole,” Falcon said. “If I get on Contact Scott Branson at at practice. Falcon batted .500 over the base, there’s always some kind of sbranson@lsureveille.com The injury next four games, fun that’s coming at the top of the forced Falcon all victories ex- lineup.” to step back and ‘I had to talk through it cept for a 13-4 Falcon said her boost in conevaluate her road with my family and my loss to No. 3 fidence coincided with her move to recovery. California. up the lineup, but her success “I had to trainer, and we decided “She’s really comes from her mental approach. talk through it the year off to get better been a spark for “Coach [Torina] always says with my family the offense,” To- hitting is contagious,” Falcon and get back to my full rina said. “When said. “If you think you’re going to and my trainer, and we decided offense re- get a hit, you’re 100 percent more potential would be the the the year off to ally struggled, likely to get a hit than if you’re get better and get best thing for my career she’s the one going up there scared.” back to my full that stepped up Freshman first baseman at LSU.’ potential would and said, ‘We’re Dylan Supak said Falcon is a be the best thing going to get this team player and proved her worth Allison Falcon for my career at going,’ and has on the field this season, especially redshirt sophomore infielder LSU,” Falcon continued to go when the game has been on the said. ever since.” line. She said not being able to Falcon said moving up in the “She brings a lot of energy participate last season was hard, order helped her confidence, but to practice,” Supak said. “On the but she still found ways to help the team. “I always sat up at the front of the dugout, and I was one of the loudest cheerers,” Falcon said. “I tried to pick signals or look at the pitchers and see their tendencies to see if they would give anything away to help the hitters.” The Donaldsonville native used the time off wisely and returned this season hitting better than before her injury. Falcon hit .160 her freshman year in 56 games but is batting at a team-leading .455 clip this season. “It’s difficult to watch a team play and know that you can’t make a contribution,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “But it gives them that desire and drive to understand each game is precious and how much it’s worth every time you step on the field.” Falcon started in the ninehole in the first two games this season and went 0-for-4 at the plate. After taking a game off, she returned to the lineup and reached base in four of her next five atbats. The Tigers went 2-3 over the five-game stretch, but Torina saw something special in Falcon and moved her to second in the batting order.
page 7 THE BASEBALL AMERICA TOP 25: 1. Florida 2. Stanford 3. South Carolina 4. Arkansas 5. Rice 6. Texas A&M 7. Arizona 8. Georgia 9. North Carolina 10. Georgia Tech 11. Arizona State 12. Miami 13. Florida State 14. Louisiana State 15. Clemson 16. Mississippi 17. UCLA 18. Oregon 19. Central Florida 20. Cal State Fullerton 21. Texas 22. Texas Christian 23. Oklahoma 24. Louisville 25. Baylor
The Daily Reveille
page 8 PIONEERS, from page 5
Mainieri said the Tigers worked successfully on hitting the ball up the middle and to the opposite field before the game to adjust to the fierce wind. “Everybody sees this ball that looks like a beach ball coming into them, and they’re jumping out of their shoes trying to yank it,” he said. “They just totally forgot the whole plan.” LSU junior pitcher Tyler Jones surrendered three hits and one run in seven innings, shaking off a dreadful relief appearance in a loss against Princeton where he gave up three runs in two-thirds innings. Jones (3-0) threw four strikeouts and four walks and became the first Tiger pitcher this season to go more than 6 1/3 innings in an outing. “I’m not really giving up runs where they’re stringing together hits,” Jones said. “Any runs that you bring on yourself, like hit batters and walks, you definitely want to
LINEBACKERS, from page 5
linebacker-sized recruits often play running back in high school. He said the addition of defensive coordinator John Chavis to the staff three years ago changed the recruiting strategies for the position. “It’s Chavis’ style on defense getting the speed guys both at defensive end and at outside linebacker,” Dixon said. Chavis’ scheme has brought changes each year. Tiger fans watched defensive back Harry Coleman — recruited as a linebacker in 2004 — convert to his old position his senior year. In similar fashion, former defensive back Stefoin Francois was transformed to an outside linebacker last season, filling in for Coleman. Senior Karnell Hatcher is expected to do the same next season. “You just see so many guys that are not just linebackers but a lot of those outside linebacker types that are a fast hybrid,” Dixon said. “Some are big enough to play defensive end, and some can play safety.” To account for newly converted linebackers, many LSU linebacker recruits, including sophomore Barkevious Mingo, have made the switch to the defensive line. Ponamsky said Davis has the size and ability to follow in the footsteps of former linebackers. “If you watch his film, he’s explosive,” Ponamsky said. “He is a physical guy who plays with an aggressive streak. ... If you put him on the end, he’ll go get the quarterback for you.” Granier, who most think will
CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore designated hitter Raph Rhymes (4) attempts to steal second base during the Tigers’ 6-1 victory against Sacred Heart in Alex Box Stadium.
eliminate those, so I hope to do that next start.” Neither team had a hit until LSU sophomore designated hitter Raph Rhymes busted an RBI single to right field in the third inning, scoring junior left fielder Trey Watkins, who reached on an error. Sacred Heart threatened in
remain at linebacker throughout his college career, said he would trust his coaches if he was ever asked to make the move. “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Granier said. “Chavis will make the best moves for the best situations at the right time.” Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
the top of the fourth inning with its first two hits of the game — the latter coming on a two-out hit and run which put men on the corners — but failed to score on Jones. The Pioneers were able to get their first run and tie the game, 1-1, the next inning after a sacrifice bunt and a bunt for a base hit led to an
Thursday, March 10, 2011 RBI sacrifice fly to sophomore right fielder Mason Katz. Watkins was busy on the base paths in the bottom of the sixth inning. He drew a walk, reached second base on a wild pitch, moved to third base on a groundout and made his way home on a sacrifice fly by junior third baseman Tyler Hanover to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. “My role is to get on base any way possible,” Watkins said. “Walks, hits, bunts — anything.” LSU added two runs an inning to increase the lead, 4-1, with consecutive RBI singles up the middle by freshman second baseman JaCoby Jones and Watkins.
The Tigers repeated themselves in the bottom of the eighth inning with two more runs on an RBI triple by junior shortstop Austin Nola and a suicide squeeze bunt by Katz. “All of a sudden we looked like a pretty good offensive team the last couple innings,” Mainieri said. “I think it was a really good victory for us in the way that it all developed.” Follow Rowan Kavner on Twitter @TDR_Kavner.
Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 TOURNAMENT, from page 5
to have to play the best in the country to beat the best.” Caldwell said senior forward LaSondra Barrett will be “100 percent ready to go come Sunday” after suffering a concussion and being knocked unconscious in the Southeastern Conference tournament championship game against Tennessee on March 4. “Barrett is such a competitor, and there’s not going to be anything that’s going to stop her,” Caldwell said. Barrett said the team is excited to make the tournament after falling short last season but won’t be taking it for granted. “It beats last year, I can tell you that,” Barrett said. “Right now the record is 0-0. Any team can lose any given day, so we just have to stick with them, and then we move on.” Senior forward Courtney Jones agreed and said watching the show was nerve-wracking, even though the team suspected it would earn a NCAA bid. “Last season was pretty devastating for all of us,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t say we [knew] for sure, but we had some idea. We didn’t think we were practicing for nothing.” Contact Scott Branson at sbranson@lsureveille.com
OREGON, from page 5
what fans refer to as “The Pit” during my childhood. In 2000, the UCLA Bruins and highly touted freshman guard Jason Kapono came to town. Midway through the second half, during a Kapono free throw, the student section relentlessly jumped up and down, causing the rim to shake. After the public address announcer asked the students to stop, the jumping only increased. In another contest, a week after a California player’s home burned down, the student section chanted “burning down the house” while he was shooting a free throw. The change of venue hasn’t changed the hostile atmosphere thanks to the obnoxious student section known as the “Pit Crew.” Oregon is 15-3 this season at home and won the CBI Championship against Creighton to finish its 2011 campaign. As if the home-court advantage and the Tigers having to travel such a great distance isn’t enough, Oregon has a number of favorable matchups on the court. Senior guards Devoe Joseph and Garrett Sim form one of the best backcourts on the West Coast and don’t turn the ball over. The Tigers’ guards might struggle under the constant pressure put on them by Oregon and will have to stay poised if they want to stand a chance against the Ducks. But the biggest disadvantage for LSU will be Oregon junior swingman E.J. Singler. The younger brother of former Duke star Kyle Singler is the Ducks’ leading rebounder, and LSU doesn’t have anyone who can keep tabs on his 6-foot-6-inch, 215-pound frame. It will be a daunting task to escape Eugene with a victory.
season to serve as the numerator. If Mainieri were to offer an outscholarships. That would be a little of-state recruit $15,000 a year, it more reasonable.” would count toward roughly 51 perIn addition to numbers restric- cent of a scholarship. tions, each player on scholarship But half a scholarship would is required to receive a minimum be a steep price for Mainieri to pay 25-percent scholarship. for one player, considering the 11.7 The entire process is enough limit. to make one’s head spin, especially “I don’t know that I’ve ever had when considering most of a player receive a scholarthe work is done by one ‘It sickens me ship in the amount which man. that schools was commensurate to LSU baseball coach don’t look at his value,” Mainieri said. Paul Mainieri describes his all underpaid, in our national “They’re job as a mix of scouting diother words. ... It’s sad, repastime rector, development direcally, that college baseball is favorably.’ treated that way.” tor, head coach and general manager rolled into one How many scholarPaul Mainieri ships a team can dole out is position. Coaches go armed on LSU baseball coach a touchy issue for coaches. recruiting missions with a The reasoning simmering chart of expenses for each scholar- under the surface serves as the funship. Scholarships are broken down damental decision maker — money. into tuition, room, board and books. It’s not a problem at LSU, where For an in-state athlete, tuition the thriving baseball program plays accounts for 31 percent of the schol- in a brand new, multimillion-dollar arship, room accounts for 34 per- facility and generates more than $6 cent, board accounts for 33 percent million in revenue for the University and books account for 2 percent. A and non-revenue-generating sports. full ride for an in-state student costs But in other schools around the $18,616 for a full school year. country, programs are regarded as Tuition costs for out-of-state what Mainieri calls a “black hole.” athletes account for 56 percent of the Many worry that if more scholmoney allotted for scholarships — arships were made available it would about $29,400 per year. create a larger divide between the The total for all of these serves haves and the have-nots. as a denominator. Coaches can then Mainieri said “roughly half” offer an athlete a set amount each of the 296 Division I schools don’t
SCHOLARSHIPS, from page 5
Numerous things will have to fall in the Tigers’ favor in order for that to happen. I just don’t see it. I’m expecting a tough loss for the Tigers, ending their season after only one postseason game.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog. Contact Micah Bedard at mbedard@lsureveille.com
page 7 even use their full allotment of scholarships. “When you’re at a place like LSU and you’re trying to push to get 20 or 25 full scholarships for the baseball team, it’s falling on deaf ears,” Mainieri said. “Half the schools would never vote for that, because all that’s doing is creating a wider gap.” Even during Mainieri’s 12-year tenure at Notre Dame — one of the more prestigious Division I schools — he wasn’t allowed to use all 11.7 scholarships until his final season. The decision to use less than the full amount was an institutional one, according to Mainieri. “The leadership at each institution decides how important college baseball is to them,” Mainieri said.
“It sickens me that schools don’t look at our national pastime favorably.” The likelihood of things changing is slim. While the scholarship limit of 11.7 has been in place since 1991, the parameters for maximum roster size and minimum scholarship amount for each player were implemented in 2008. “We’ll have to learn to accept what we have,” Bertman said. “We’ll never get any more. We might get less someday, but we’ll never get any more.”
Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
page 10
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
TENNIS
Tigers rally to defeat Nebraska, 4-3 Lady Tigers host Colorado, Southern Hunt Palmer Sports Contributor
There’s nothing like a little drama, and LSU’s 4-3 win against Nebraska on Tuesday afternoon at W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium had more than its fair share. What seemed an easy victory for the Tigers turned into a heated battle including sportsmanship violations, verbal arguments and four singles matches that went the distance. “It was a great fight,” said LSU coach Jeff Brown. “It’s a one-onone thing. That’s how tennis players fight. You can’t hit the other guy.” Junior Mark Bowtell fought back from a set down and 1-4 in
ULL, from page 7
batters in the fifth and was pulled in favor of freshman Sam Peterson. Peterson only lasted a third of an inning, however, giving up four straight hits, as he was chased out of the game after allowing a two-run triple. ULL was locked on Jones early, posting four hits in the first inning. Jones was able to hold ULL to one run in the inning, but the frame provided a glimpse for what was to come. The ULL hitters looked like they were taking batting practice against the rest of the Tiger pitchers, tallying 11 runs off eight walks and 15 hits. LSU used six pitchers in the game, including an appearance by junior Matty Ott in the eighth inning with LSU down by four. Ott’s struggles continued, as he gave up four hits — including a two-run home run — in one inning. The LSU offense scattered
the second set to gut out a 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 win against Andrew Stenger to clinch the elusive winning point for the Tigers, who led the match 3-0 at the time. Senior Sebastian Carlsson and junior Neal Skupski, the nation’s No. 12 double’s duo, notched an 8-5 win against No. 65 Chris Aumueller and Benedikt Lindheim. The win followed a pair of tight wins by LSU on courts one and two. Senior Julien Gauthier and sophomore Olivier Borsos topped Calin Paar and Robert Schulze, and sophomores Roger Anderson and Stefan Szacinski followed suit with a break at 8-7 to win 9-7. Skupski and Carlsson made quick work of Paar and Tom Blackwell in singles, creating a 3-0 LSU lead. Nebraska cut the Tigers’ lead to just one, but Bowtell came through with a win to secure the match. 11 hits, showing glimpses of busting out of its recent slump. Sophomore right fielder Mason Katz bombed a solo home run in the second inning — the first LSU home run since March 4. The drought spanned 419 plate appearances and 10 games. But the offense couldn’t come through in the clutch, with many of the hits coming with the bases empty or with a runner on first. “There’s no way we should be getting 11 hits and lose the game,” Katz said. “We’re coming around. JaCoby [Jones] was robbed on a liner, I had one to the warning track, Mikie [Mahtook] had a couple deep ones. We just need to get them at the right time.” LSU will try to break its four-game losing streak Friday when it resumes Southeastern Conference play at Georgia. Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com
The Lady Tigers (7-7, 3-1) seek a bounce-back performance after No. 23 Tulsa snapped their fivematch win streak. “We had opportunities against Tulsa,” said LSU women’s coach Tony Minnis. “We’ve got to close those matches out to get to where we’re hoping to get to.” Minnis’ squad welcomes Colorado and cross-town rival Southern to “The Dub” for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. The Buffaloes limp into Baton Rouge on a sixmatch skid. “Colorado is going to be hungry to beat somebody,” Minnis said. “We just need to make sure we’re really ready to play.”
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
Contact Hunt Palmer at hpalmer@lsureveille.com
Senior Sebastian Carlsson returns a shot at the net Tuesday in LSU’s 4-3 win against Nebraska during the first battle between the Tigers and the Cornhuskers.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 TREPP, from page 7
50-yard freestyle. In an interview with The Daily Reveille before the season, the Estonia native said her primary individual goal was to swim in an NCAA event final. Mission accomplished. Trepp became the first-ever Lady Tiger to qualify for the ‘A’ final in all three of her individual events at the NCAA championships, finishing in the top eight nationally in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard butterfly. She also swam in each of LSU’s relays, two of which garnered 10th-place finishes. Because of how the meet was scheduled, Trepp swam in five races on the first day of NCAAs and six on the second — the result of competing in three events as well as relays. So full was her schedule that a teammate had to accept her award for a seventh-place 100 butterfly finish because she was preparing to swim in the 100 breaststroke two races later. To put her performance in context, she accounted for 41.5 of LSU’s 89 points at the NCAAs. Her individual point total was
BAKER, from page 7
“I’ve done it before in high school,” Minter said. “I know this is a totally different game, but I feel like I can do the job. I have to take more of a commanding spot and be that leader everyone expects of me.” The linebacker position doesn’t solely belong to Minter. Welter and sophomore linebacker Lamin Barrow are waiting in the wing. Barrow, who played in 11 games last season and started against North Carolina, has more experience, but Welter has turned some heads in his first spring with the team. “He’s a guy that’s really caught my eye,” Baker said. “His work ethic has changed a lot, and we’ll see where this ends up.” Still, the Crowley native trails Minter for the starting job. “He’s been to three springs so he’s a little bit ahead of me right now,” Welter said. “That’s my ultimate goal — to be the starter.” The 6-foot, 226-pound linebacker said he still has much to learn from defensive coordinator John Chavis. “I need to definitely dig into the playbook, really get with [Chavis] and watch more film, learn the schemes and learn all the checks,” Welter said. Baker insists he will remain at outside linebacker, but Miles left the door open for the veteran to move if necessary. “Baker knows enough about football that he could play that position comfortably,” Miles said. Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert. Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
more than double the team’s entire point total from the 2010 NCAA Championships. She holds school records in three individual events, four relays and is second all-time in another. Ironically, it’s her attitude toward those records that may be most impressive. On a team where the former
head coach routinely pointed out his school record from 1988 had yet to be broken, Trepp said she wouldn’t mind her records being broken by teammates. “I don’t want the team to stop improving [after I leave],” she said. “It’s kind of two-sided. Of course I want my name to be up there for another 10 years, but at the same time, I don’t want us
page 11 to get stuck.” It appears she’ll have the opportunity to make her name on a much bigger stage, as well. With the 2012 Olympics just one year away, Trepp will spend the next year training to qualify and represent Estonia in the London games. Having already won a silver medal at the European Short-
Course Championships in 2009, she has shown she can compete with not only the best swimmers in the NCAA, but also in Europe. Just another chance to help carry a lesser-known team to new heights. Contact Ryan Ginn at rginn@lsureveille.com
page 6 TALENT SHOW, from page 1
“The main motif was wanting to have our own kind of show here,” she said. “We’ve always been jealous of award shows that other SEC SAAC organizations have.” Performances will include dances by the volleyball and swimming and diving teams, impersonations by the women’s basketball team and a satirical video by the soccer team. Olympian and former LSU track athlete Lolo Jones will host the show, and the performances will be judged by three campus celebrities — football coach Les Miles, superfan Matthew Clark and Fox 44 news anchor and former softball player Emily Turner. Along with athlete-provided entertainment, the show will include presentations of awards decided by student-athlete votes, Jones said.
JONES, from page 1
The nerves were unnecessary. Alleva was calling Jones home. Jones is the only person to both play on and coach an LSU Final Four team, playing on the 1981 Tiger squad during his four seasons as a guard and serving on former coach Dale Brown’s staff for 13 years, including LSU’s improbable 1986 NCAA Tournament run. Jones succeeds Trent Johnson, who departed Easter weekend to fill TCU’s head coaching vacancy and left LSU scrambling for a coach late in the recruiting and hiring game. Alleva said the search was a national one. He said he interviewed four candidates for the job but found his answer close to home. “I have no doubt we have the right man for this job at this time,” he said. “Johnny’s the best fit for this university, and that only starts with basketball. He’s earned this opportunity with his success. The ties he has here are just a bonus.” The 51-year-old DeRidder native coached 11 seasons at North Texas, where he turned a desolate Mean Green program into a consistent 20-game winner, making two NCAA Tournaments and compiling a 190-146 record. Monday’s formal press conference felt more like a homecoming than a hiring.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 “Awards will include things like fiercest competitor, best play, most involved team, Mr. and Mrs. Congeniality and best hair,” she said. “There are some funny ones, but there are also some serious ones.” Fundraising is another major reason the SAAC decided to host the talent show, Jones said. According to Jones, all proceeds from ticket sales, which are $5 in advance or $7 at the door, go to Best Buddies, a non-profit organization. Best Buddies members will perform a dance for the opening act of the show, she said. The Best Buddies program pairs a role-model figure with a “buddy” who has a mental or physical disability, said Megan Kinneman, LSU soccer player and Best Buddies participant. The buddies have one-on-one hangouts regularly and participate
in group activities, Kinneman said. Kinneman and her buddy attended the Krewe of Mutts parade in January and recently danced the night away at a prom, she said. Kinneman said the studentathletes voted on an organization to sponsor for the show and Best Buddies was chosen since multiple athletes are involved in the program. Jones said the talent show will be fun and lighthearted, and most importantly it benefits a good cause. “It’s going to be pretty funny,” Jones said. “Most of the awards we’re giving out are humorous, and a lot of the acts are hilarious. We want people to come knowing that every cent of ticket costs goes to a good cause.”
LSU legends like Joe Dean, Ricky Blanton, Collis Temple and Brown — Jones’ own former coach and close friend — packed the fifth floor of LSU’s Athletics Department to welcome back one of their own. And Jones played to that crowd, talking of glory days past and recruiting the future while proudly embracing LSU’s present after meeting with current Tigers on Sunday night. Center Justin Hamilton left 12 days ago for the NBA, and rumors of player transfers swirled before Johnson’s departure. All seven current LSU scholarship players attended Monday’s introduction. “This is not about a transition period where a new coach comes in and gets his guys. You are my guys,” Jones said to the players. “We’re going to have success together, and it’s going to start right away.” LSU went 18-15 last season and lost to Oregon in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament. Jones promised an up-tempo style that would rely on defensive pressure and sound ball security, appeal to recruits and revive the PMAC’s dormant “Deaf Dome” status. “I’m up for the challenge,” said freshman point guard Anthony Hickey. “He runs a fast offense that I’m familiar with. We’re not thinking about transfers. I’m here for the long
run, and he’s the newest part of our family.” Jones’ Mean Green offense scored the most points in the Sun Belt the last two seasons and finished in the league’s top two during seven of the last eight years. Officially hired Friday evening, Jones spent the weekend trekking across the South on recruiting trips, calling himself “a one-man wrecking crew” as he has yet to hire assistants. His top recruiter at North Texas, Shawn Forrest, is expected to follow Jones to Baton Rouge, and former Tiger player Randy Livingston has expressed interest in joining his former coach at LSU, but Jones declined to name specific candidates.
Contact Ferris McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com
Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com
“A man who stops advertising to save money, is like a man who stops the clock to save time.”
-Henry Ford
We can help. 225-578-6090