BATON ROUGE – The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six LSU student-athletes for their academic achievements and community service for July.
Each month, student-athletes are recognized for their academic improvement, dedication and proven ability. In addition, one student-athlete is chosen through LSU’s Student-Athlete Affairs program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
July’s student-athletes of the month are Josh Boutte [Football], Travia Jones [Track & Field], Lewis Neal [Football], Brandon Pierce [Men’s Golf] and Morgan Ruhl [Soccer]. Dylan Supak [Softball] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month.
Boutte, Neal and Pierce are all sport administration majors. Jones and Supak are studying kinesiology while Ruhl is a psychology major.
Supak, a senior utility player from LaGrange, Texas, appeared in 12 games as a pinch hitter and reserve outfielder for the Lady Tigers and finished the 2014 season hitting .273 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Supak had her first multi-hit game against South Carolina when she went 2-for-2 with a double and RBI. She recently participated in the Camp Climb event associated with Cancer Services. Supak interacted and played games with kids that have guardians that are currently battling or previously battled cancer.
A sophomore offensive lineman from New Iberia, Boutte gained valuable experience in the 2013 season and is expected to compete for a starting spot in 2014. This is his first time being recognized as a CCACSA Student-Athlete of the Month.
Jones, a freshman sprinter from Rowlett, Texas, lettered during both the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2014. She turned in a seasonal and indoor personal best time of 55.95 seconds in the 400-meter dash at the SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships, and served as the first leg in LSU’s 4×400-meter relay team which finished seventh at the SEC Outdoor Championships. Jones also led off the relay team to an outdoor seasonal-best time of 3:35.59 in a runner-up finish at the college relay at Penn Relays.
A sophomore defensive end from Wilson, North Carolina, Neal appeared in games against UAB and Kent State and earned his first letter during the 2013 season. He notched seven total tackles including a half sack against UAB.
Pierce, a sophomore from Covington, played in three tournaments during his freshman season. He tied for ninth place on the final leaderboard at the Louisiana Classics tournament at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette to earn his first collegiate top-10 finish. Pierce scored a season-low and career-low score of 2-under par 214 at the Louisiana Classics which included a season-low round of 2-under par 70 in the first round.
A sophomore goalkeeper from Hereford, Maryland, Ruhl spent the 2013 season as a redshirt freshman learning from senior goalkeeper Megan Kinneman. Ruhl debuted as a substitution with six minutes left in the contest at Stephen F. Austin.
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.