BATON ROUGE – Student-athletes and coaches of the LSU women’s basketball team volunteered their time in the Baton Rouge community last week by serving food to kids from ages four to 14 following a local football practice at the Baton Rouge Recreational Department fields off Burbank Drive.
For two hours, the Lady Tigers interacted with the children, served them food and goodie bags and encouraged them on. Head coach Nikki Caldwell was on hand as was her entire staff. Since her arrival, the Lady Tigers have been out and about in the community.
“It’s great that we are interacting with the community and getting out there,” said junior guard Adrienne Webb. “Seeing them in that environment, cheering them on and seeing their reaction is just a great opportunity. Coach Caldwell really instills in us that we are more than just student-athletes. Everyone in the community looks up to us and we need to do our part.”
Caldwell also participated in a motorcycle safety demonstration and gumbo cook off in Hammond, La., over the weekend. She was main judge for the gumbo challenge and later addressed those in attendance. The Dutch Battle Memorial Chapter hosted the event and all proceeds were used to promote motorcycle safety and awareness in the community.
Caldwell and the Lady Tigers officially open practice next month for the 2011-12 season. Caldwell, who is entering her first season at LSU, is coming off two straight NCAA Tournament appearances at UCLA. She turned the Bruins into a perennial contender and spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Tennessee.
LSU opens the season at Wichita State on Nov. 14 before returning to the Maravich Center for the home opener against Big East powerhouse Georgetown on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
Season tickets for the 2011-12 LSU women’s basketball season are on sale starting as low as $50. Season tickets can be ordered online at www.LSUsports.net/wbbtix or by calling the LSU Athletic Ticket Office at 225-578-2184.
LSU has established a two-tiered season ticket rewards program. Once the Lady Tigers sell 2,500 season tickets for the upcoming season, all season ticket accounts will receive an LSU blanket. If LSU reaches the goal of 3,000 season ticket sales, all season ticket accounts will receive a Sylvia Fowles LSU replica jersey.
The NCAA Tournament returns to the Maravich Center as LSU plays host to the first and second rounds on March 18 and 20, respectively. NCAA Tournament ticket books are now on sale at www.LSUtix.net for a special low price of $15 (plus applicable fees) until Dec. 31.