LSU Gold

A Letter from Joe Alleva

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A Letter from Joe Alleva

Dear Tiger Fan,

The spring semester has been completed on the LSU campus, and summer has arrived in Baton Rouge, but there is still plenty of ongoing action involving our student-athletes.

Our baseball team posted a thrilling NCAA Regional win over Rice this week to advance to the Super Regional, and the Tigers are now two wins away from earning a bid to the College World Series. The passionate fans in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field literally can impact the outcome of a game, and they were instrumental in the Tigers’ regional victory.

Many devoted fans like Chris Guillot, our Alex Box Stadium cheerleader, inspire the players to perform at a high level, and we are extremely grateful to them for creating the best atmosphere in college baseball. We’re certainly looking forward to this weekend’s Super Regional versus Coastal Carolina, with first pitch for Game 1 set for Saturday at 8 p.m.

Also still in contention for national titles are our men’s and women’s track and field teams, which are competing this week at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. Both the Tigers and Lady Tigers are ranked No. 4 in the nation, and each squad will have the opportunity to add to the tremendous LSU track and field legacy.

SPRING SPORTS CONCLUDE OUTSTANDING SEASONS

Congratulations to Coach Beth Torina and our softball team for another magnificent season. Coach Torina has directed the Tigers to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City three times in the past five seasons, and LSU reached the Final Four of the WCWS for the second straight year.

Our softball program has embodied excellence under Coach Torina, and we anticipate more trips to OKC in the coming years.

It was also another extremely exciting year for our men’s golfers, who advanced to the Final 8 in the 2016 NCAA Tournament after winning the national championship in 2015. Coach Chuck Winstead has established LSU men’s golf as one of the nation’s preeminent programs. Coach Karen Bahnsen’s Lady Tiger golfers also enjoyed a solid season and played host to the NCAA Regional Championships at the University Club here in Baton Rouge.

The fantastic new LSU Tennis Center opened in January, and our men’s and women’s programs are reaping the benefits of the facility’s debut. Co-head coaches Julia and Michael Sell directed the Lady Tigers to a No. 18 final national ranking, and LSU has the No. 1-rated women’s tennis recruiting class for next season. Coach Jeff Brown led the men’s team to its 17th NCAA Tournament appearance in the past 19 seasons.

NUTRITION CENTER UPDATE

Recently, I made the decision to construct our new Nutrition Center within the expansive existing space at the South End of Tiger Stadium, instead of erecting a separate building. The decision was based on a better business model and the desires of our coaches and athletes. I can assure you the change in location will enhance the impact the Nutrition Center will have upon our athletic program.

The new facility will feature 30,000 square feet of space and all of the elements necessary to insure that the Tigers receive the absolute finest in dietary support.

Our student-athletes are able to excel in all facets of their lives due to your devotion, and I thank you for your continued dedication to the Fighting Tigers!

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