By Chris Macaluso
LSUsports.net
LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman has had more reasons to be proud in his 18-year career than he can count.
Bertman’s journey through college baseball history has led him to five NCAA Championships in 11 appearances in the College World Series. He’s won 12 Southeastern Conference Championships including an unprecedented four straight from 1990-93. He’s also led LSU to nine 50-win seasons, tripling the number recorded by any other SEC school and he’s been named the National Coach of the Year six times.
Bertman is arguably the most successful coach in college baseball history and in this, his last season at the helm of the Nation’s premier program, Bertman’s accomplishments have been applauded in ballparks across the Southeast.
Nowhere was he applauded louder than by the fans at Alex Box Stadium who have watched first-hand as Bertman claimed NCAA Regional Tournament titles in 1986, ’90, ’91, ’93, ’94, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99 and 2000. Those fans showed their appreciation Sunday in Bertman’s last regular season game by staying after the last out in a 9-7 loss to Auburn to say thanks to their hero.
Bertman remained as humble as he had been when he first set foot on LSU’s campus in 1983.
“I just hope I’ve made a difference and I hope I’ve touched some people,” said Bertman, who will become LSU’s next Athletic Director July 1. “I hope I can do some more in this wonderful opportunity that I have to stay here as the next Athletic Director.”
While Bertman’s reign as Athletic Director is limited by years, the City of Baton Rouge and the State of Louisiana made sure LSU Baseball fans will remember his name every time they drive by Alex Box Stadium by renaming the stretch of South Stadium Drive between Nicholson Dr. and River Road “Skip Bertman Dr.”
The ceremony and gift marked the end of a weekend-long celebration of Bertman’s accomplishments. Bertman’s number 15 jersey was retired Friday night. Saturday, some of Bertman’s current and former assistant coaches presented their boss and mentor with a seven-day cruise. Sunday, Bertman was showered with praise from members of the LSU Board of Supervisors, LSU System President William Jenkins, LSU Chancellor Mark Emmert and Bertman’s coaching colleagues.
“The whole state claims ownership of the Tigers and what Skip has been able to accomplish and we are very, very proud,” Jenkins said. “He has become an icon and a role model in our community outside of athletics. We honor today a man and a family who are very good people and have done good work and have made a huge difference in the lives of the people of our community.”
Baton Rouge Mayor Bobby Simpson proclaimed May 12, 2001 as “Skip Bertman Day” in Baton Rouge, then presented the retiring coach with the street sign that will soon grace South Stadium Dr.
LSU Board of Supervisors member Charles Weems compared Bertman to college coaching greats John Wooden, Adolf Rupp and Bear Bryant.
Bertman remained humble throughout the entire ceremony, taking the time to thank the fans, the administrators and especially the players who made LSU the best collegiate baseball program in the country.
“This has been wonderful,” Bertman said. “It’s been a great run. A story book run. Proof to all of us that if you believe and get enough people around you who believe just about anything can be accomplished. Here it has been especially easy. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you very, very much.”