Now that LSU football has its newly renovated operations building, LSU basketball coach Will Wade says the Tigers basketball practice facility needs a major upgrade. Wade says he’s met with Tiger Athletic Foundation officials and they’ve raised about 25-percent of what they need
Cut 16 (13) “…with our time”
LSU’s basketball practice facility opened in 2010. But Wade says it doesn’t have a weight room or office space for coaches. He would also like to improve the players’ locker room. Wade says the upgrade will cost 15-million dollars.

Former LSU star Travin Dural is back with the Saints. The Black and Gold released Dural in June after not playing in 2018 due to an injury. Coach Sean Payton says after they released him, they knew there was a chance Dural would be back.

During his annual summer press conference, LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri explained why he decided to make a change with his hitting coach. Sean Ochinko was replaced in favor of Eddie Smith, who helped Tulane break several offensive American Athletic Conference records last season. Mainieri says Smith has an impressive gameplan on how to develop hitters…
cut 19 (22) “great addition”
The Tigers will begin fall ball on September 29th and open the regular season at home in February against Indiana. The Hoosiers played in a regional last season. LSU will also host the national champs during SEC play. Vanderbilt will travel to the Box, the dates of that weekend series has not been set.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward wants to change the transfer policy which has provided the academic side with millions of dollars generated by athletics. From 2012-to-2017, LSU athletics sent nearly 50-million dollars to the university. Woodward says it’s dangerous for a school to rely on recurring money from athletics
cut 30 (07) “…doing
That’s Woodward’s thoughts in an exclusive interview with Tiger Rag Magazine.

At Saints training camp, former Breaux Bridge and LSU wide receiver Travin Dural was on the practice field for a tryout. The Black and Gold released Dural a month ago. Free-agent running back Robert Kelley is also reportedly trying out for the Black and gold. He’s a New Orleans native who went to O-Perry Walker and Tulane University. Kelley has been spent time on the Redskins roster for three seasons.

Private high schools also known as “select” schools form a new organization within the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to help coordinate their efforts to host their own championship events in football, basketball, baseball and softball. Catholic High of Baton Rouge athletics director JP Kelly is the Interim CEO of the Louisiana Select Association…
Cut 10 (10) “…sports.”
Last January, LHSAA member principals voted to allow select schools to host their own championship events at venues separate from the public schools.

LSU football has received its first commitment for the 2021 class, four-star Texas defensive end Landyn Watson. He’s six-foot-three, 240-pounds and he’s rated as the 11th best weak-side defensive end in the country.

LSU basketball walk-on Will Reese has left the program so he can focus on his education. Reese was a two-sport star at Anacoco and led the school to back-to-back state titles in basketball in 2015 and 2016. Former Southeastern Guard Parker Edwards is expected to take Reese’s spot on the roster.

For years the LSU athletic department has used a portion of its revenues to help fund the academic side of the university. But in an exclusive interview with Tiger Rag Magazine, athletics director Scott Woodward says the transfer policy is being re-evaluated because they can not continue to give seven-million dollars plus to the university every year…
Cut 12 (11) “…athletic department”
The yearly donations began in 2012 at a time when higher education was on the receiving end of state budget cuts.

The Saints have cut wide receiver Cam Meredith. The Black and Gold signed Meredith during the 2018 offseason after he missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL. But his knee has not responded to the major surgery, plus some younger receivers have looked impressive at camp.

Leaders for select schools within the Louisiana High School Athletics Association have formed their own association called the Louisiana Select Association and the group will organize championship events in football, basketball, baseball and softball. The LHSAA member principals voted in January to separate public and private school championship events and Catholic High of Baton Rouge athletic director J-P Kelly says the Louisiana Select Association is working to secure sites for championship games, starting with football…
cut 12 (10) “…on board”
Kelly says the Mercedes Benz Superdome is still a possible site for select schools to play their championship football games. Or they could be played on college campuses at Tulane, Southeastern Louisiana or U-L Lafayette.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward wants to change the transfer policy which has provided the academic side with millions of dollars generated by athletics. From 2012-to-2017, LSU athletics sent nearly 50-million dollars to the university. Woodward says it’s dangerous for a university to rely on recurring money from athletics
cut 13 (07) “…doing”
That’s Woodward’s thoughts in an exclusive interview with Tiger Rag Radio.

Leaders of select schools gathered in Lafayette today to create a sub organization called the Louisiana Select Association. The L-S-A says this is not an attempt to break away from the LHSAA. One major duty for the Louisiana Select Association is to determine where championship events in football, basketball, baseball and softball should be played. Venues in New and Lafayette are potential sites.

The Saints released wide receiver Cam Meredith today. The Black and Gold signed Meredith during the 2018 offseason after he missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL. He caught 66 passes in Chicago in 2016, but his knee has not responded to major surgery, plus some younger receivers have looked impressive at camp, including rookie undrafted free agent Emmanuel Butler from Northern Arizona.

Coach Sean Payton says defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will likely won’t be back for training camp as he continues to rehab from a torn Achilles. Defensive end Cam Jordan says they have enough talent to fill in until Rankins is ready…
Cut 18 (17) “of the line”

The Saints have released wide receiver Cam Meredith after one injury-plagued season. New Orleans signed Meredith during the 2018 offseason after he missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL. Meredith only played in six games last year as his knee never quite bounced back from surgery.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees is going through his 19th training camp and Who Dats hope it’s not his last in Black and Gold. Brees showed signs at the end of last season and into the playoffs that maybe Father Time is finally catching up to him. But the future Hall of Famer says he’s trying to hold Father Time back…
Cut 16 (18) “…beating it”
The 40-year-old Brees is the fourth oldest player in the NFL.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward tells Tiger Rag Magazine that the athletics department does not plan on sending dollars to the university as has been a standard procedure for a number of years. From 2012-to-2017, LSU athletics cut checks for nearly 50-million dollars to the university. Woodward says it’s dangerous when universities rely on recurring money, especially from an auxiliary like the athletic department.

Select schools within the Louisiana High School Athletic Associated has created a sub-organization called the Louisiana Select Association. Leaders of the select organization say this should not be seen as an attempt to break away from the LHSAA. One major duty for the Louisiana Select Association is to determine where championship events in football, basketball, baseball and softball should be played. U-L Lafayette has expressed interest in hosting those games.

40-year-old Saints quarterback Drew Brees goes into this training camp as the fourth oldest player in the NFL. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan is not worried about number nine…
cut 17 (12) “….to do it”
Brees’ favorite target remains a hold out as Michael Thomas seeks a new contract. Thomas’ absence has given other receivers an opportunity to step up. Undrafted rookie receiver Emmanuel Butler has made several impressive catches during the first three days of training camp. Saints Coach Sean Payton calls Butler an intriguing prospect and Butler appreciates the praise…
cut 30 (13) “…on the 53”

24-7 sports ranks LSU’s recruiting class as the third-best in the nation, behind Clemson and Alabama. The Tigers have 22nd commitments, the latest one came late Friday when University High star defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy announced his intentions to sign with the Tigers. He’s listed as the state’s top recruit by 24-7 sports and helped the Cubs win back-to-back Division Two state titles.

LHSAA’s select schools will meet today in Lafayette as the group needs to discuss where it will hold its championship events in football, basketball, baseball and softball. They’ll also discuss forming their own association within the LHSAA. Teurlings Catholic Principal Mike Boyer says the meeting is not an attempt to leave the LHSAA, rather a structured effort to secure a common voice on behalf of select schools.

Two former LSU pitchers faced off in the Major Leagues yesterday and it was Aaron Nola who defeated Kevin Gausman as the Phillies beat the Braves nine to four to avoid a three-game sweep.

The Saints return to the practice field this morning for training camp practice number two. It’s the 19th training camp for quarterback Drew Brees says he still gets excited for these preseason practices because this is where it all begins…
cut 30 (18) “…this year”
Brees enters this season as the fourth oldest player in the NFL.

University High defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy, the state’s top-rated prospect, re-committed to LSU yesterday. Roy de-committed five months ago, but he re-joined the 2020 class with his announcement at a public ceremony. The 2020 class features six defensive tackles and this class is ranked third in the country, behind Clemson and Alabama.

New Ragin Cajuns Baseball Coach Matt Deggs has named two-time Major League Baseball All-Star B-J Ryan as UL-Lafayette’s new pitching coach. Ryan pitched for the Cajuns in 1997 and 1998 and went on to play eleven years in the big leagues with the Blue Jays and Orioles. Anthony Babineaux stays as the associate head coach, Jeremy Talbot also remains as the recruiting coordinator and Jake Wells continues to be the hitting coach.

LSU’s Grant Delpit has been named a candidate for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. He’s one of ten defensive players on the award’s 40-player watch list. He led the SEC with five interceptions last season.

New Pelicans three-point specialist J-J Redick has declined an offer to try out for the USA Basketball team. Redick says instead of going to USA Basketball training camp in Las Vegas on August fifth, he’d rather spend this time finalizing his family’s move to the Big Easy. Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has also opted out of participating.

Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas was not present for today’s first training camp practice as he’s seeking a new contract that would pay him an annual average salary of 20-million dollars, which would be the highest in the NFL for a receiver. General Manager Mickey Loomis wouldn’t say they are close to agreeing on a new contract with Thomas, but he says they are not far off. Loomis says some negotiations take longer than others
Cut 18 (25) “of it”
Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says he’s not worried about Thomas missing camp, until Drew Brees is worried about it.

Louisiana Tech says they plan to rebuild J-C Love Field at Patterson Park in the same location as the old facility, which was severely damaged by an EF 3 tornado in April. Bulldogs baseball coach Lane Burroughs calls it great news. But a new J-C Love field will not be ready by next season, so the Bulldogs baseball team will have to play home games at off-campus sites. No timetable has been determined for construction on a new baseball, softball and soccer complex.

New Ragin Cajuns Baseball Coach Matt Deggs has finalized his coaching staff. Deggs has hired former two-time Major League Baseball All-Star B-J Ryan to be U-L Lafayette’s new pitching coach. Ryan pitched for the Cajuns in 1997 and 1998 and went on to play eleven years in the big leagues. Anthony Babineaux stays as the associate head coach, Jeremy Talbot also remains as the recruiting coordinator and Jake Wells continues to be the hitting coach.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas’ absence is the big storyline at training camp, but the battle for starting center will be an important one to watch. Free-agent signee Nick Easton and rookie Erik McCoy will battle to replace the retired Max Unger. Coach Sean Payton is looking forward to the competition
cut 17 (19) “good leader”
It will also be a big camp for wide receiver Cam Meredith, who only caught nine passes last season after signing as a free agent.

Louisiana Tech announces that J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park will remain at its current location. The baseball stadium needs to be rebuilt following an EF 3 tornado that destroyed a number of athletic facilities in April. The school decided the baseball field will remain at the historical location due to its unique setting. A timetable has not been set on construction.

There are reports that U-L Lafayette Football Coach Billy Napier will receive a one-year contract extension. Napier led the Cajuns to the Sun Belt Championship game in his first season as head coach in Lafayette.

The Louisiana Outdoor Expo and Boat Show is this weekend at the newly renovated Cajundome and Convention Center in Lafayette. Organizer Rob Kirkpatrick says there’s something for everyone at this three-day event
Cut 12 (11) “…and boat show.”
Tickets are $12.50 for adults, while kids five and under get in for free.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas did not report to training camp as he seeks a contract that would make him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. There are media reports that Thomas is looking for a deal that would pay him 20-million dollars a year. The voice of the New Orlean Saints, Zach Streif, doesn’t expect it will be a long holdout as the two sides are close to a new deal. But Streif says Thomas’ absence will help the Black and Gold build depth at wide receiver, which the team lacked last year…
cut 14 (13) “…impact”
Thomas has performed as one of the best receivers in the NFL over the last three years.

LSU announces it will sell beer and wine this season to fans over the age of 21 in the general seating areas at Tiger Stadium. A new SEC policy approved in the Spring gave the schools the option to sell beer and wine in public areas. LSU Senior Associate athletics director Robert Munson says this is something Tigers fans have been waiting for…
cut 3 (10) “…this fall”
Munson says a variety of domestic and imported beer as well as red and white wines will be available at most concession stands. The school has yet to decide how much it will cost.

The LSU basketball team has released its non-conference schedule. The 2019-2020 season gets underway on Friday November 8th at home against Bowling Green. The Tigers will host Nicholls, UNO and Northwestern State in the non-conference, while travel to V-C-U, U-S-C and Texas. The contest against the Longhorns will be part of the SEC-Big 12 Challenge in January.