Saints tight end Foster Moreau is in “full remission” after four months of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. The 26-year-old received the stage 2 diagnosis in March during a Saints physical. New Orleans then signed the former Jesuit High and LSU player to a three-year contract worth a reported $12 million, including $8 million in guaranteed money.

LSU junior centerfielder Dylan Crews has been named one of three outfielders on the 2023 American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove team for NCAA Division I. Crews finished the season with a perfect fielding percentage, committing no errors in 171 chances. He led LSU to the 2023 College World Series title and captured the Golden Spikes Award, batting .426 with 16 doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 70 RBI and 100 runs.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission pickleball injuries could cost Americans close to $400 million in medical costs this year. LSU Health New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Marrero says pickleball resembles tennis, but players use paddles to hit a plastic ball and it doesn’t require as much running…:
Cut 13 (11) “overuse injuries, etc.”
The Sports and Fitness Industry Association trade group says pickleball has grown from 3.5 million players in 2019 to 8.9 million in 2022.

LSU gymnast and Instagram influencer Olivia Dunne revealed during a recent podcast interview that she once received over $500,000 for a single sponsored post to social media. Dunne’s NIL valuation is already reportedly second among all college athletes at $3.3 million. She has over 4 million followers on IG and over 7 million on TikTok.

Starting with some fantastic news. Saints tight end Foster Moreau announced Monday on Twitter that his cancer is in full remission. This comes some three months after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma following a physical with the Saints while he was visiting the team in free agency. That’s when he found out. Moreau says it was a tumultuous few months, but this news is a blessing, and he thanks everyone who sent their thoughts and prayers.

More accolades coming in for the 2023 National Champion LSU Baseball team. It’s another one that doesn’t come as a surprise as Tiger junior centerfielder Dylan Crews, aka the G.O.A.T., has been named one of three outfielders on this year’s American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove team for NCAA Division I. Crews finished the season with a perfect fielding percentage committing no errors in 171 chances.

LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes set an SEC record with 209 strikeouts this season, but they won’t only be remembered in the record books. Kace Kieschnick has more…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

A Louisiana man competes in Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest today in Coney Island New York. Adrian Morgan of Baton Rouge’s best record was in 2015 when he got 5th for consuming 31 hotdogs in 10 minutes. He got a $1000 award for that.

It’s been a quiet offseason for the Pelicans so far. After extending restricted free agent Herb Jones on a four year 54 million dollar deal, the front office doesn’t have much cap space to work with, but they were able to add depth at center after losing Jaxson Hayes to the Lakers. The Pels signed former No. 4 overall pick Cody Zeller. The Heat signed Zeller at the All-Star break last season where he averaged 6-and-a-half points and 4 rebounds through 15 games before helping Miami make a run to the NBA finals. The 10-year vet signed to a one-year deal worth $3.1 million. The deal brings the Pelicans above the luxury tax threshold, so the team could be looking to make some cost-cutting moves soon. Reports have identified New Orleans as one of many teams to call Portland about all-star Damian Lillard. 

Two former Tigers will tip-off in tonight’s NBA Summer League Salt Lake City games. Free agent Rookie KJ Williams will be suiting up for the Thunder while guard Javonte Smart plays with the 76ers. Williams earned all SEC honors at LSU last season, and Smart was a key player for the Tigers from 2018-2021. The two will have a chance to face off Thursday night before the rest of the Summer League tips off Friday.

The College World Series Champion LSU Baseball team isn’t done winning, Paul Skenes Dylan Crews, and Tommy White were named first team all-americans and Skenes brought another individual award to Baton Rouge. Crews may have taken home the Golden spikes but Skenes was named d1 Baseball’s national player of the year. He says the Tigers knew they could be this dominant this season but it still hasn’t set in…

Cut 6

Skenes was also named the SEC Pitcher of the year, College World Series Most Outstanding Player, Collegiate Baseball National Player of the year, and brought home the Dick Howser trophy.

The Tigers will be losing director of Baseball operations Josh Simpson to pitching Coach Wes Johnson’s new staff in Georgia. Johnson announced before the postseason he’d be taking the Head Coaching job for the Bulldogs after just one season in Baton Rouge. Simpson, who was a scout for the Texas Rangers, will be filling out his staff as recruiting coordinator.

The accolades keep rolling in for LSU pitcher Paul Skenes who was named D1 Baseball’s National Player of the year. Skenes put together a historic season for the Tigers with a 1.69 ERA and an SEC record 209 strikeouts this season. He along with teammates Dylan Crews and Tommy White were named first team All-Americans after leading LSU to its 7th national championship. In addition to his on the field achievements, Skenes has helped to make an impact off the field. The Air Force Transfer pledged funds for each of his 209 strikeouts to benefit non-profit Folds of Honor. Skenes along with LSU fans helped to raise over $50,000 for the organization. Skenes says it was a great way to give back to his military community…

Cut 19

Skenes spent two years at Air Force and had two teammates that died in service. Their families and many others will benefit from the numerous donations.

LSU Director of baseball operations Josh Simpson will be following pitching coach Wes Johnson to Georgia. Johnson announced earlier this year he’d be taking the head coaching job at Georgia after one season with the Tigers. Simpson, a former scout with the Texas Rangers, will be joining Johnson’s staff as recruiting coordinator. LSU Coach Jay Johnson announced he’ll be replacing his former pitching coach with Texas A&M Assistant head coach Nate Yeskie. Yeskie spent two seasons with Johnson in Arizona and has reached the College World Series with three different teams. He earned a national title with Oregon St in 2018 and was named d1 Baseball’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017. 

Two former LSU players are set to face off in the NBA’s Salt Lake City Summer League games this week. Rookie free agent KJ Williams will join a talented OKC roster while guard Javonte Smart, who spent the last season on the Pels G-League affiliate Birmingham Squadron, will suit up for the 76ers. Games will be played Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday before the Summer League Competition in Las Vegas tips off Friday. Other LSU players set to be featured in the offseason tournament are last year’s 17th overall pick Tari Eason and LSU vet Darius Days who will both be playing for the Rockets.

LSU coach Jay Johnson has been named 2023 NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association. It’s the second 2023 Coach of the Year Designation as he was also honored last week by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

Meanwhile Johnson remains busy working on the 2024 season as he indicated at the celebration last week. Johnson announced he’s set to hire Nate Yeskie from Texas A&M as the Tigers next pitching coach. This fills the space left open by Wes Johnson who already announced his departure to become the head coach of the Georgia Bulldog Program.

And another accolade rolled in for star pitcher Paul Skenes who has been named the 2023 D1 Baseball Player of the Year after a historic season, helping to lead LSU to the national championship.

Skenes along with teammates Dylan Crews and Tommy White were named 2023 First-Team All-Americans by Baseball America magazine.

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed veteran center Cody Zeller to a 1-year, $3.1 million dollar deal, according to a report Sunday from ESPN. The other notable move by the Pels during this NBA Free agency period is the 4-year extension for defensive star Herb Jones.

Two former LSU players are on the rosters of teams beginning their NBA 2023 Summer League season in Salt Lake City starting today. Rookie free agent KJ Williams, who earned All-SEC honors this past season for the Tigers, will be playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Javonte Smart, who played for LSU from 2018-21, will be with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Knicks guard Josh Hart, who previously played for the Pelicans, has committed to the final roster spot on Team USA to play in this summer’s World Cup.

Another note on LSU star pitcher Paul Skenes. He raised tens of thousands of dollars for Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides educational scholarships to family members of military and first responders who have fallen or been disabled.

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise met with Brian Kelly, Nick Saban, and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation surrounding college athlete NIL deals. The NCAA made it legal for athletes to profit off their name image and likeness in July of 2021 in a controversial decision among college sports fans, and while many athletes have been able to benefit from the new rules. Scalise says legislation is necessary to ensure their protection…:
Cut 9 (15) “work on”

The NBA Free Agency Period began Friday and Forward Herb Jones has agreed on a new four year, 54 Million Dollar deal to stay with the Pelicans. Jones is one of two players to tally at least 100 steals and 40 blocks in each of the last two seasons.

LSU centerfielder Dylan Crews, right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes and third baseman Tommy White have been named 2023 First-Team All-Americans by Baseball America magazine. Crews batted .426 for the 2023 National Champions with 16 doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 70 RBI and 100 runs. Skenes compiled a 13-2 record and a 1.69 ERA in 122.2 innings with 20 walks and an SEC-record 209 strikeouts. White batted .374 with 24 doubles, 24 homers, 105 RBI and 64 runs scored.

Ragin Cajuns Baseball Head Coach Matt Deggs has named former UL-Lafayette pitcher Gunner Leger the team’s Coordinator of Pitching and Analytics. Leger spent 5 seasons with the Cajuns from 2015-2019 and was the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and an All-American in 2017.

The Astros Foundation College Classic has announced its 2024 Tournament Field as the three-day, 6 team, 9 game tournament returns to Minute Maid Park March 1st-3rd. It will feature the 2023 College World Series Champion LSU Tigers who’ll play Texas, UL Lafayette and Texas State over the weekend.

NBA free agency opens today. The offseason has already gotten off to a hot start with blockbuster trades moving stars like former Hornet Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, and Kristaps Porzingis. The Pelicans management have been adamant that the team will not be looking to make any major changes to the roster this offseason after the signs of success a healthy Pelicans squad showed last year, but some NBA execs expect the Pelicans to make major moves before next season. New Orleans declined defensive specialist Herb Jones’s $1.8 million team option for this season. He’ll become a restricted free agents where the Pels will hope to extend him on a longer deal worth closer to $50 million. New Orleans also declined center Willy Hernangomez’s team-option and failed to extend a qualifying offer to center Jaxson Hayes, but they could look to bring Hayes back. Reports have pointed towards the team shopping former 13^th overall pick Kira Lewis. The guard made a return from a season ending ACL injury last year but struggled to find playing time in a crowded backcourt. The free agency window opens at 5:00 this evening.

McNeese broke ground on a new press box for Cowboy Stadium yesterday. Much of southwest Louisiana was devastated by Hurricanes Delta and Laura in 2020. The former press box like much of the Lake Charles area sustained significant damages and a complete overhaul was required. Now, three years later, Director of Facilities Kevin Martin says this project is about more than just a football stadium. Recovery from Hurricane Laura has taken longer than expected for many, including the university, but Martin says the new box will be a return of a local landmark and symbol of progress for many in the area…

Cut 19 (13)  “…as a whole.”

The new box will be over 28,000 square feet, house 25 suites and a 17-hundred square foot sky club and extend goal line to goal line. It is expected to open for the 2025 season.

The upcoming NBA season tips off with the Free Agency period which will begin later today. Teams can start negotiating with free agent players, but most contracts can’t officially be signed until July 6th. The Pelicans are declining forward Herb Jones’ 1.8-million-dollar team option for next season, which will make him a restricted free agent. New Orleans doesn’t have a lot of money to throw around, but they are expected to be active in the market.

With LSU’s national championship winning baseball team along with a women’s basketball title and top 10 finishes in gymnastics, beach volleyball, and both men’s and women’s outdoor track, the Tigers earned a No. 9 final ranking in the Director’s Cup. The cup measures the overall success of an institution’s athletic programs, awarding points based on NCAA Championship finishes for a maximum of 19 sports. LSU’s ninth place finish is its highest since it was ninth in 2009.

The NFL confirmed Saints rookies will report to training camp on July 18th with their veteran teammates arriving a week later on the 25th. Open practice dates are yet to be announced.

McNeese broke ground on a new press box for Cowboy Stadium Thursday. Much of southwest Louisiana was devastated by Hurricanes Delta and Laura in 2020, and the press box like much of the Lake Charles area sustained significant damage. Director of Facilities Kevin Martin says they’ve finally completed the process of organizing funding from 4 sources…:
Cut 20 (14) “like that”
The updated press box is set to be over 28,000 square feet and extends goal line to the goal line. It’s expected to be open for the 2025 season.

Left-handed pitcher Logan Hurd, who is the older brother of LSU right hander Thatcher Hurd, announced his transfer to Tulane Thursday.

Hundreds of LSU fans braved the oppressive heat to pack the box and celebrate the LSU Baseball team’s seventh national championship in program history. Paul Skenes put together one of the greatest seasons ever by a college baseball pitcher and set a new SEC record with 209 strikeouts this season surpassing LSU legend Ben McDonald. Skenes was at Air Force the last two seasons and made the decision to transfer LSU so he can improve as a pitcher and win a natty…

Cut 17 (17) “…came here.”

The national championship winning baseball team along with a women’s basketball title and top 10 finishes in gymnastics, beach volleyball, and both men’s and women’s outdoor track, helped LSU earn a ninth-place final ranking in the Director’s Cup. The cup measures the overall success of an institution’s athletic programs, awarding points based on NCAA Championship finishes for a maximum of 19 sports. LSU’s ninth-place finish is its highest since it was ninth in 2009.

During last night’s celebration many players had the opportunity to speak to fans a they reflected on a historic season. Coach Jay Johnson says he didn’t spend much time working on his speech as he is already preparing for the 2024 season. But Johnson says he’ll never forget this group of players and the focus they played with in the NCAA Tournament….

Cut 18 (19) “…2023 (applause).” 

Many of the players were apart of Johnson’s first team when he arrived at LSU. Johnson helped lead the group to a national title in just his second season in Baton Rouge.

The NFL confirmed Saints rookies will report to training camp on July 18^th with their veteran teammates arriving a week later on the 25^th. Open practice dates are yet to be announced.

On a hot, steamy night, thousands of LSU fans went to Alex Box Stadium last night to celebrate the 2023 national champion LSU baseball team. Several star players spoke including Golden Spikes Award winner and expected top 2 overall pick in the upcoming MLB draft Dylan Crews. Crews thanked the fans for his time and success in Baton Rouge…

Cut 16 (19) “…can I say.”

The SEC and ACC have announced this year’s opponents for the SEC/ACC Challenge. The Women’s basketball team will host Virginia Tech on November 30^th while the men’s team will visit Syracuse November 28^th.

The NFL confirmed Saints rookies will report to training camp on July 18^th with their veteran teammates arriving a week later on the 25^th. Open practice dates are yet to be announced.

With LSU’s national championship winning baseball team along with a women’s basketball title and top 10 finishes in gymnastics, beach volleyball, and both men’s and women’s outdoor track, the Tigers earned a No. 9 final ranking in the Director’s Cup. The cup measures the overall success of an institution’s athletic programs, awarding points based on NCAA Championship finishes for a maximum of 19 sports. LSU’s ninth place finish is its highest since it was ninth in 2009 and one behind their all-time best finish of eighth which came in 2008. The SEC led all conferences with eight top 25 final rankings and Stanford on the overall title for the 26^th time followed by future SEC member Texas.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson and stars Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes, Tommy White, Ty Floyd, and Tre Morgan took their talents off of the diamond and into the kitchen today. The national champions celebrated their title by working a shift at the original Raising Cane’s location on Highland serving fans in the dirve-tru and at the counter for a celebratory shift.