Dear Tiger Fan,
I hope this letter finds you enjoying a healthy and prosperous 2015, as the New Year has certainly been an active one for LSU Athletics. I’d like to start by formally welcoming to our football staff defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. Both Coach Steele and Coach “O” are former Division I head coaches who have experienced great success at a high level. They are recognized nationwide for their ability to teach and develop players, and for their relentless, dynamic recruiting skills.
They join an extremely talented staff led by Coach Les Miles that will continue to enhance LSU’s status as one of the elite programs in college football. The February 4 National Signing Day is less than a week away, and I’m confident our coaches will assemble an outstanding class of young men who will become Fighting Tigers.
HOOPS AT HOME
The performance of our men’s basketball team has been both exceptional and inspiring over the past few weeks. The Tigers have played four of their first seven SEC games on the road, and they’ve earned huge wins in places that provide distinct challenges to visiting teams. Victories at Ole Miss, at Florida and at Vanderbilt have placed Coach Johnny Jones‘ squad in position to seriously contend for an NCAA Tournament berth.
The stage is set for what should be a thrilling stretch drive, and the great news is that three of our next four SEC contests are in the Maravich Center. I encourage you to join us and revive the tradition of the “Deaf Dome” that was born during Coach Jones’ playing days at LSU. The homestand culminates on Feb. 10 when the Tigers face Kentucky, and I strongly urge you to get your tickets for that game as soon as possible. Less than 2,000 tickets remain for what should be one of the premier matchups in the SEC this season.
TRENDING UP
As you know, we take tremendous pride at LSU in providing our student-athletes with the resources necessary to succeed in all facets of their lives. One critical area in which we are about to implement a significant upgrade involves the nutrition of the Fighting Tiger men and women. Plans are in motion to construct the new Tiger Athletic Nutrition Center on the site of the original Alex Box Stadium on Nicholson Drive. The nutrition center, scheduled to open in 2016, will employ full-time chefs and dietitians that will offer expertise on healthy and proper eating choices.
Additionally, our new Tennis Center is nearly finished, and it will be officially opened this fall. The complex is located on Gourrier Lane directly across from Alex Box Stadium, and it features outdoor stadium courts, practice courts, and an indoor playing facility. The Tennis Center will be a vital asset in the efforts of men’s coach Jeff Brown and women’s coach Julia Sell to recruit top players to their programs.
Latest Construction Photos | All Galleries
And, also opening this fall is our new Gymnastics Practice Facility, located adjacent to the North side of the Maravich Center. Coach D-D Breaux has established at LSU an exemplary gymnastics program, and this facility will provide the finest training area in the country for her student-athletes. The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in this week’s gymnastics poll and are strong contenders for the 2015 NCAA title.
TIGER GRADS
Finally, I’m especially pleased to report that LSU student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom and as well as on the playing fields. Our Graduation Success Rate as reported by the NCAA remains at an all-time high for the university with a score of 81. It is our sincere responsibility to prepare our student-athletes for success beyond college, and we have the mechanism in place to ensure excellence in academics.
Hope to see you in the coming weeks at the Maravich Center for men’s and women’s basketball and gymnastics. Our swimming and diving teams are nearing the postseason, indoor track and field and tennis are underway, golf season begins in February, and sand volleyball starts in March. And, of course, the cry of “Play Ball” will be heard very soon at our baseball and softball venues. We’re very thankful for the tremendous support you give to all of our student-athletes.
As always, we welcome your comments at athletics@lsu.edu. Unfortunately we cannot answer every e-mail we receive, but please be assured they are all read.
Geaux Tigers!
Joe Alleva
Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics