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 Alex Boulet [Softball], Joe Broussard [Baseball], Laura Carleton [Track & Field], Josh Johns [Football] and Tahj Jones [Football]. Kyle Rose [Track & Field] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Student-Athlete Affairs Athlete of the Month.
Broussard, Johns and Jones are majoring in sports administration, while Carleton is a management major. Mathematics and kinesiology are Boulet’s and Rose’s majors, respectively.
Rose, a senior pole vaulter from New Orleans, is the Community Outreach Co-Chair of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He recently created the Geaux Givers Recruiting Project where local students with exceptionalities are invited on campus and treated as “recruits” and are hosted for the afternoon by SAAC members. He also was just nominated for the SEC Brad David Postgraduate Scholarship for his community service efforts.
A freshman outfielder from Crowley, Boulet made her LSU debut over the weekend as the softball team won all six of its games at the Wilson/DeMarini Tiger Classic. She racked up six stolen bases and scored four runs being used primarily as a pinch runner.
Broussard, a freshman pitcher and infielder from Gretna, comes to LSU as a product of the same high school as closer Matty Ott. A two-time District MVP, Broussard also was named 2010 First-Team All-State and All-Metro New Orleans Player of the Year. The LSU baseball team opens the 2011 season this weekend against Wake Forest at Alex Box Stadium.
Carleton, a junior distance runner from Lake Charles, enjoyed one of LSU’s all-time great performances for the women’s mile after establishing a new personal best with the No. 7-ranked performance on LSU’s all-time indoor list at 4 minutes, 56.17 seconds to earn a third-place finish at the Tyson Invite over the weekend. She also participated in the Geaux Givers Recruiting Project.
A freshman from Baton Rouge, Johns provides depth at the outside linebacker position and played in two games during the 2010 season. He recorded one assisted tackle against McNeese State.
Jones, a freshman linebacker from Sulphur, played in all 13 games last season. He was a regular contributor on special teams and tallied six tackles highlighted by a trio of stops versus ULM.
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 Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.