LAPLACE, La. — LSU football standout Kirston Pittman will visit with students at Faith Christian Academy in LaPlace on Thursday as part of the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills program.
A 2007 graduate of LSU who earned his degree in general studies last December, Pittman will be giving a motivational speech to the students about his academic and athletic experiences at LSU. Pittman, who missed all of the 2005 and 2006 seasons with the Tigers with a foot and ankle injuries, was granted an extension to his five-year eligibility clock on Monday by the NCAA. He will now be eligible to conclude his career next season after an outstanding 2007 campaign.
A defensive end from Garyville, just outside of LaPlace, Pittman signed with the Tigers in February of 2003 and saw action in 13 games as a true freshman during LSU’s run to the national title that year. Pittman played in 12 games as a sophomore in 2004 before missing all of 2005 and 2006 with injuries.
Pittman returned to the field in 2007 to once again help lead the Tigers to a national title. Pittman started all 14 games for LSU this past season, leading the team in sacks (8.0) and tackles for loss (13.5). Pittman also recorded 68 tackles to go with 14 quarterback hurries and an interception.
The CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success)/Life Skills Program was designed by the NCAA to help student-athletes realize higher academic achievement, increase likelihood of graduation and enter a chosen profession with a higher level of vision, knowledge, motivation, self-responsibility and greater overall success. In Spring 2003, the CHAMPS/ Life Skills Program honored one of LSU’s most memorable graduates, Shaquille O’Neal, by naming the program after him.