Government: Legislators respond to Reveille’s contact attempts, p. 3
Football: Geismar native Lacy the latest fixture in ’Bama backfield, p. 5
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Athletics: NCAA hammers Penn State football, p. 5 Tuesday, July 24, 2012 • Volume 116, Issue 154
‘Everybody’s All-American’
CAMPUS
University to still see limited cuts
State funds decrease by 13.1 percent Joshua Bergeron Staff Writer
than a baseball player.” Ten years later, both Nick and Wally Sr. have fond memories of a “faith-filled” brother and son that both agreed put his love for others before himself. “He was a 21-year-old boy who had accomplished more in 21 years than most people do in a lifetime,” Nick said. “His love for others and his faith shone through everything in his life.” The outpouring of support began almost immediately, as the Pontiff house was swarmed with phone calls and letters from those Wally Jr. impacted. As the family endured its “worst nightmare,” they got a profound
Despite an increase in the overall state operating budget and the University’s total operating budget, the University will still incur a limited number of cuts, according to Chancellor Michael Martin. The state’s willingness to fund education did not increase. The Louisiana Legislature provided $132.46 million in state appropriations to fund higher education for the 2013 fiscal year, according to a July 18 letter from Interim President Bill Jenkins to the Board of Supervisors. The appropriation is a decrease of $19.9 million, or 13.1 percent, from the 2012 fiscal year. The LSU System often uses the 2008-2009 academic year as a benchmark for state appropriations. The 2008-2009 year represents the highest state appropriations to the University in recent memory at $234.6 million, according to Bob Kuhn, associate vice chancellor for Budget and Planning. Gov. Bobby Jindal also took office in 2008. Since
PONTIFF, see page 4
CUTS, see page 4
photos courtesy of the WALLY PONTIFF, JR. FOUNDATION
[Left] A sticker hanging on the Alex Box Stadium outfield wall honors Wally Pontiff Jr.’s retired No. 31. [Right] Tiger fans congratulate Pontiff and teammates after LSU earned a bid to the 2000 College World Series by defeating UCLA in a super regional sweep at the old Alex Box Stadium.
Wally Pontiff Jr.’s legacy lives on 10 years after his untimely death
It came out of nowhere. Home early from the Cape Cod Summer League in 2002 and contemplating a professional baseball contract after being drafted in the 21st round by the Oakland Athletics, all Wally Pontiff Jr. wanted to do was play blackjack. Met with skepticism from his dad, Wally Pontiff Sr., the 21-yearold quickly reassured his father. “Dad, I have will power,” Pontiff Jr. said. So father and son sat side-byside in Harrah’s New Orleans into the witching hours of Wednesday morning, July 24, 2002, testing their luck and strengthening an already stout father-son bond. Hours later, Wally Sr. heard the six words that still stop him in his
tracks. Sitting in a work meeting, he himself to come home [early] and answered a frantic call from a neigh- spend time with the family,” Nick bor. said. “You need to come home,” the A stellar hitter in his three years neighbor told him. “You lost one of as a Tiger, Wally Jr. hit .344 during your boys.” his three seasons, was named to the The player who former LSU 2000 and 2001 Baton Rouge Recoach Skip Bertman called “every- gional All-Tournament Teams and body’s All-Amerwas an integral part Chandler Rome ican” was gone, of the Tigers’ 2000 stricken in his sleep College World SeStaff Writer by sudden cardiac ries championship arrest, brought on by hypertrophic team. cardiomyopathy – a genetic disease Clutch hits aside, Wally Sr. said that causes a thickening of the heart his son cherished his time as a Tiger muscle. and the friendships he made were Discovered that morning by his prevalent throughout his life. then-16-year-old brother Nick, Pon“He had tremendous faith and tiff left behind his parents, Wally Sr. loved the friendships of his teamand Terry, Nick and his sister Haley. mates and people he was around,” “He had an intuition inside Wally Sr. said. “He was a better man
DOWNTOWN
BR hosts planetarium conference 2012 version draws most attendees yet Marylee Williams Contributing Writer
Baton Rouge has hosted a variety of conferences this year, but one taking place this week has participants looking toward the great beyond. The city has opened its doors to 648 delegates from 46 countries and 48 states for the 2012 International Planetarium Society Conference, titled “Bridge to New Beginnings,”
which began Sunday and concludes on Thursday. Kathleen Giesfeldt, 2012 International Planetarium Society Conference volunteer coordinator, described the magnitude of this event. “If you’re into planetariums or astronomy, this is one of the largest events that happens every two years,” she said. Attendees will spend this week in downtown Baton Rouge attending lectures, workshops and exhibitions on advancements in astronomy and planetarium technology. Giesfeldt said the conference is about “sharing the best practices and lessons people have learned and
to further what a planetarium is and can be.” This year’s conference has the most attendees to date, according to a news release. Giesfeldt attributes the higher attendance to Baton Rouge’s location between the Gulf Coast and major cities, such as Houston. In 2014, delegates will travel to Beijing for this conference. The conference also premiered a Dome Village in the River Center on Monday. Jan Herrington, owner of Positive Results Inc., is a member of the PLANETARIUM, see page 4
TAYLOR BALKOM / The Daily Reveille
The biennial International Planetarium Society Conference is being held at the Baton Rouge RiverCenter this week. The conference showcases the latest and greatest in planetarium technology.