BATON ROUGE – New LSU women’s basketball head coach Nikki Caldwell held her first team event on Wednesday as the Lady Tigers took a five-mile bike ride from the LSU campus to the Louisiana State Capitol and then toured the historic landmark.
Caldwell and her staff jumped on the bicycles as well and joined the team in the ride that started from the LSU Recreation Center, continued onto Skip Bertman Drive and then toward downtown Baton Rouge on the Mississippi River levee.
“The meaning behind this is for us to really get to know each other and bond as a team because we have a lot of great things in store and I think it starts now,” said Caldwell, who arrived back in Baton Rouge on Tuesday. “I think it starts with us being cohesive, but most importantly, us getting to know each other.
“We couldn’t ask for a better day to come out here and see the State Capitol, but it also lets us get an opportunity to get familiar with the area.”
In addition to the bike ride, the Lady Tigers also took a tour of the 79-year-old State Capitol and were recognized in the House of Representatives chamber. Prior to that players and Caldwell met with members of the media on the steps of the Capitol. They also toured the Governor’s Mansion and ate lunch in nearby Arsenal Park. Players gave speeches to their teammates, and Caldwell addressed the team about building unity and a foundation for the future of the program.
“I think it sets the tone for the team,” said Caldwell. “I think they see my entire staff out here and we’re all on bikes. A couple of them are behind, but it’s a joint effort and I want them to know that we’re in this with them 100 percent.”
All-Southeastern Conference forward LaSondra Barrett, who will be a senior next season, said she enjoyed spending the quality time with her teammates and getting to know the coaching staff.
“Today was great, especially this first part, traveling up the levee and just being with the team, Barrett said. “We were able to talk to a lot of people and were just being competitive and racing each other. This is a fresh start for us and we’re trying to build a bond, build chemistry with each other, and what better way to start it than with this event of a bike ride today.”
Caldwell talked about returning to Baton Rouge since her introductory press conference and getting acclimated to the community.
“It’s been great,” she said. “I can’t explain how the community has really just taken this team and our staff. The support that we’ve gotten thus far with people, with the season tickets, has been great. We just want to make this the best possible season for the seniors, but most importantly, start a new era for women’s basketball.”
Season tickets for the 2011-12 LSU women’s basketball season are now on sale on www.LSUtix.net or by phone at (225) 578-2184. Season tickets start as low as $50 and the complete 2011-12 season schedule will be released later this summer.