BATON ROUGE — Over 2,300 purple and gold-clad fans helped send off LSU’s Final Four bound men’s basketball team Wednesday afternoon with a pep rally at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The event, emceed by WBRZ sports director Michael Cauble, included featured speakers Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, LSU Chancellor Sean O’Keefe, LSU Athletics Director Skip Bertman as well as the Tigers’ own SEC Coach of the Year, John Brady, and select players.
The school fight song and a boisterous, “Geaux Tigers,” cheer between the fans and spirit squad segued into player introductions and Holden’s speech. The Mayor, who just two days ago officially declared it, “Men’s Basketball Day,” in Baton Rouge, led a crowd in another cheer before expressing his pride in the Tiger team and staff.
“What a great time for Baton Rouge,” said Holden. “Not only do we celebrate a great women’s team, but today we celebrate a great men’s team. These individuals are truly what role models should be in our community.”
O’Keefe reiterated Holden’s message and went on to express his sincere gratitude in the way in which Brady and his squad has handled the national limelight since earning LSU’s first bid to the NCAA’s Final Four since 1986.
“This team is representing us (LSU) for the things they are doing and the attention is well deserved,” said O’Keefe. “At this level I know everyone is playing with their heart and for their community, but this is our time. Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday is our time!”
The crowd erupted at the sentiment which brought Bertman to the podium where he continued the praise for Brady, his staff and players.
“This is the most exciting time for LSU in the 24 years I have been here,” said Bertman. “It has been great to see the football team and the baseball team win national championships, but to see the basketball teams do what only seven other schools in the nation have even done (get both its men’s and women’s basketball teams into the Final Four in the same year) is truly exciting.”
Bertman then introduced Brady who first gave credit to his players and assistants before acknowledging the next most important group in LSU’s success the season, the Tiger fans.
“I appreciate you being here and supporting this team,” said Brady. “Skip mentioned the success LSU is having across the board right now and we are happy to be a part of it. It has been fun coaching this team this year. This team has made me a better coach and better person for coaching them.”
Stealing a line from his All-American forward and SEC Player of the Year, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Brady wrapped up his speech and brought the crowd to their feet with the line, “I must have tapeworms in belly because I am still hungry!,” alluding to Tigers’ team feeling that there is still more to be accomplished this season.
LSU begins its quest for a national championship this Saturday when they tip off with UCLA in the national semifinal game at 7:47 p.m. (CT). The game will be broadcast to a national audience by CBS Sports.