BATON ROUGE – The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six LSU student-athletes for their academic achievements and community service for the month of February.
Each month, five student-athletes are recognized for their academic improvement, dedication and proven ability. In addition, one student-athlete is chosen through the CHAMPS Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
February’s Student-Athletes of the Month are Rachele Fico [Softball], Forrest Garrett [Baseball], Bennie Logan [Football], Eddie Ludwig [Men’s Basketball] and Russell Shepard [Football]. Courtney Alexander [Soccer] was chosen as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills Student-Athlete of the Month.
Alexander is a kinesiology major, while Fico is majoring in elementary education. Garrett and Ludwig are members of the University College Center for Freshman Year (UCFY). The UCFY is an academic unit to help freshmen define their academic and career goals. Sport administration is Logan’s major, while Shepard is majoring in mass communication.
Alexander, a junior defender from Liberty, Mo., started all 24 matches as LSU won its third straight SEC Western Division title en route to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009. She was a leader of one of the top defensive units in the SEC that allowed just 18 goals for a stingy 0.71 goals against average. Alexander was instrumental in organizing Sunday’s Haiti Fundraising Event through LSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee after she participated in a week-long mission trip with teammate Natalie leyoub during the Christmas season.
A freshman pitcher from Oxford, Conn., Fico is looking to make an instant impact on the Tiger softball program. She racked up impressive 105-3 record and fired 26 perfect games, a national high school record, to go along with 1,884 strikeouts over 775 innings. Fico notched 2008 & 2009 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger/NFCA and EA Sports High School All-America First-Team accolades.
Garrett, a freshman pitcher from Norcross, Ga., joins LSU as one of the nation’s top pitching prospects. He was named a Top 100 National HS Prospect by Baseball America in addition to a Rawlings Pre-Season All-American and ESPN Rise Magazine All-Area pitcher during 2009. Garrett was drafted in the 41st round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Texas Rangers.
A freshman defensive end from Coushatta, Logan redshirted the 2009 season. He garnered 2A All-State First-Team honors in 2007 and 2008 after piling up 116 tackles fueled by 30 stops for loss and 15 sacks as a senior at Red River High School. Logan was ranked a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com and listed among the New Orleans Times Picayune Blue Chip List.
Ludwig, a freshman forward from Metairie, has averaged 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in all 21 games off the bench for the Tigers. He has poured in four or more points on six occasions sparked by a career-best nine points against Rice in December. Ludwig recently pulled down a career-high six rebounds Saturday at Mississippi State.
A freshman from Houston, Shepard lined up at three positions, quarterback, running back and wide receiver, over 11 games for the Tigers last season. He ranked third on the team with 277 rushing yards on 45 carries and added a pair of touchdowns highlighted by a 69-yard scamper against Auburn. Shepard also tallied a 20-yard scoring run against Tulane.
For putting forth extra effort in the classroom and community in addition to their rigorous academic and competition schedules, these six student-athletes will have their pictures displayed on the wall in the CCACSA.