BATON ROUGE– LSU football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Skip Bertman will be heading to New Orleans on March 21 to give area fans insight into the recent success and promising future of the LSU football program on the Tiger Athletic Foundation Spring Championship Tour.
Several members of the SEC and Sugar Bowl champion LSU football team will be on hand, as will members of both the cheerleaders and Tiger Girls.
The Tiger Athletic Foundation Spring Championship Tour, underwritten by Merrill Lynch, will kick off in New Orleans on Thursday, March 21st, 2002 at the Sheraton Hotel. Doors open at 6:00pm for cocktails and the program begins at 7:30pm.
Seating is limited and tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 504-522-5555 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $50 and $20 for children under 14. Table sponsorships are also available through TAF at 225-388-9500.
The evening will feature an array of silent and live auction items including the chance to join the LSU team and fly on the team plane when the Tigers play at Florida in October, sideline passes and game memorabilia. Guests will also have the opportunity for photos and autographs with the players. Ticket price includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar will be available.
Tiger fans will also have a chance to learn about TAF and its current and future role with LSU athletics. Bertman and Saban will address future plans for the LSU Athletic Department and why TAF holds the leading role to carry out these plans. Richard will explain how fans can get involved with TAF and play a vital role in shaping LSU’s athletic future.
“Obviously we’re excited about the future of the LSU football program,” Bertman explained. “The interest and excitement caused by the success of the 2001 Tiger football team has created an unprecedented wave of interest, and this tour is a great opportunity to get Coach Saban and General Richard in front of our fans.”
Richard said New Orleans was a natural choice for the tour’s first stop.
“New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana and the ideal place to kick off the Spring Championship Tour,” Richard said. “Folks around Louisiana are always excited about LSU football and our 2001 championship season has raised interest to an all-time high. We’re excited to come to New Orleans to tell our story.”
Bertman, long-noted for his fund raising prowess, praised Merrill Lynch for serving as the tour’s main sponsor. Cable Rep Advertising and WWL Radio will serve as media sponsors for the New Orleans event. WWL’s Buddy Diliberto will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
“We’re proud to announce that a group of strong Louisiana corporate partners has stepped up to help sponsor the tour because it takes both corporate and individual support to make a great program,” Bertman said.
TAF has built a number of facilities in recent years but also provides athletic and academic scholarships, teaching awards, equipment, and other mediums used to support LSU Athletics.
Current and recent projects underwritten by TAF include:
East Side Stadium Expansion, Academic Center for Student Athletes, Football Locker Room Renovations, Basketball Locker Room and Meeting Room Renovations, Martin Broussard Athletic Training Center, Strength and Conditioning Center, Updating Football and Basketball Scoreboards, Tiger Softball Park, LSU Soccer Complex, University Club Golf Course, and Mike the Tiger’s New Habitat.
Richard said one of the main goals of the tour is to educate Tiger followers of the many membership options available.
“There is a membership option to fit all Tiger fans,” Richard said. “TAF memberships start at just $50 a year. Even LSU students can join TAF for a contribution of just $10 a year so we’re trying get the word out so we can increase membership and keep LSU where it belongs, at the top.”
The tour, which will also make stops in other cities around Louisiana, will feature Saban, Bertman and Major General R.G. Richard, USMC (Ret.) Chief Executive Officer of TAF.