About one-thousand people showed up for a prayer service and Rosary at Russo Park last night for longtime U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux. The 57-year-old is in the I-C-U in a New Orleans hospital after undergoing multiple surgeries following a heart attack.

After suffering catastrophic damage from an EF-3 tornado in April, Louisiana Tech has made the decision to demolish the baseball, softball, and soccer stadiums this summer. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland says after extensive surveys, they came to the conclusion that trying to salvage those sites just wouldn’t be safe.
Cut 16 (07) “…things”
McClelland says discussions are ongoing when it comes to where those sports will play games. He says the soccer team can hold their contests at a local rec park, while baseball might play some home games at Ruston or as far away as Frisco, Texas, where there is a strong alumni base.

LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade has filled out his coaching staff with the hiring of Kevin Nickelberry. Nickelberry was an assistant coach at Clemson when Wade was a student manager. Most recently, Nickelberry was the head coach at Howard and just led the Bison to their first postseason as they played in the College Basketball Invitational.

Southeastern Louisiana has named David Kiefer as its new men’s basketball coach. Kiefer has been the program’s associate head coach for the past three seasons and he’s entering his fifth season with the S-L-U program.

The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly offered former LSU star Ben Simmons a max contract extension, which will pay him 170-million dollars over five years. Simmons is set to make eight-million dollars this year.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola was outstanding for the Phillies last night as he threw eight shutout innings and struck out eight as Philadelphia blanked Atlanta two to nothing to begin a three-game series.

The Pelicans used their cap space to secure two highly touted veterans at the start of free agency. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Pelicans announced they have signed top overall pick Zion Williamson. Contract details were not made public, but the four-year contract is believed to be worth eight million dollars. Williamson is the on the Pelicans Summer League roster, which will play its first game on Friday against the Knicks in Las Vegas.

Friends and fans have been asked to gather tonight at 6:30 at Russo Park to hold a prayer service for Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux. Robichaux is in the I-C-U at a New Orleans hospital. The school says Robichaux is in critical condition after undergoing a second surgery following a heart attack.

LSU has announced the hiring of College Football Hall of Famer and longtime USC Coach John Robinson as a senior consultant. Robinson had two stints as the head coach of the Trojans and won a national championship. Robinson also coached in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams.

LSU has announced the hiring of Kevin Nickelberry as an assistant coach. Nickelberry was most recently the head coach at Howard University and has been assistant at Monmouth, Holy Cross, Clemson and Charlotte. During his years as an assistant coach, Nickelberry was named by Basketball Times, the Hoop Scoop and Rivals-dot-com as one of the top assistants in the country.

The Pelicans can not officially announce the trade until later this week, but it appears they have landed big man Derrick Favors in a deal with the Utah Jazz. Locked on Pelicans Podcast Publisher Jake Madison says Favors is a tough interior defender and rebounder and best of all…
cut 27 (10) “…the team”
The Athletic reports that the Pelicans are sending draft picks to Utah in the acquisition of Favors, who averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds a game last year. He also shot a career-high 59-percent from the field.

The Pelicans announced they have signed top overall pick Zion Williamson. Contract details were not made public, but the four-year contract is believed to be worth eight million dollars. Williamson is the on the Pelicans Summer League roster, which will play its first game on Friday against the Knicks in Las Vegas.

Former Pelican and Ragin Cajun Elfrid Payton is getting a nice increase in pay as the point guard has signed a two-year, 16-million contract with the New York Knicks. Chalmette native Mithcell Robinson and former Landry-Walker star Lamar Peters are also on that Knicks roster.

Friends and fans have been asked to gather tonight at Russo Park to hold a prayer service for Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux. Robichaux is in the I-C-U at a New Orleans hospital. The school says Robichaux is in critical condition after undergoing a second surgery following a heart attack.

LSU has announced the hiring of College Football Hall of Famer and longtime USC Coach John Robinson as a senior consultant. Robinson had two stints as the head coach of the Trojans and won a national championship. LSU says Robinson will assist head coach Ed Orgeron as a consultant of daily planning of practice, personnel and game planning.

Moments after the NBA Free Agency period began, it was reported the Pelicans are signing 35-year-old J-J Redick to a two-year contract worth 26.5 million dollars a year. Redick is a career 41-percent three-point shooter and the veteran guard averaged a career-high 18 points a game last season in Philadelphia.

The Pels are also reportedly adding big man Derrick Favors in a sign and trade with the Utah Jazz. The trade is expected to cost the Pels draft picks. Ferguson averaged almost 12 points and seven rebounds a game last year.

ESPN reports New Orleans also signed EuroLeague forward Nicolo Melli to a two-year, 8-million dollar contract. Over the past four seasons, Melli shot 42-percent from three-point territory.

Brooklyn is the big winner in NBA free agency as the Nets are adding Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Former LSU Tiger Garrett Temple is also heading to Brooklyn on a reported two-year contract. Still no word on where Kawhi Leonard will sign, he’ll reportedly begin meeting with teams today.

UL-Lafayette Baseball coach Tony Robichaux is now in critical condition after undergoing a second surgery at Oschner Health Center in New Orleans. The school says doctors are keeping a close on Robichaux who is in I-C-U. He’s been hospitalized for a week after suffering a heart attack.
LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow spent this past weekend in Thibodaux at the Manning Passing Academy. Burrow threw for 31-hundred yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season. He says the Tigers should score a lot of points in LSU’s new no-huddle, run-pass option offense that should keep opposing defenses guessing
cut 17 (16) “.new concepts”

At the US Senior Open in South Bend, Indiana, Shreveport golfer David Toms finished in second place, six strokes back of Steve Stricker.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata has been suspended for the season opener against Houston because he was issued a misdemeanor summons for marijuana possession back in February. It’s unknown if Onyemata will appeal. A narcotics agent allegedly found small amounts of marijuana in his apartment.

The LSU Board of Supervisors voted quickly on a one-year contract extension for offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger. His 800-thousand dollar salary will also remain the same. The board also approved the long-form version of new athletic director Scott Woodward’s contract and a new contract for Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, who is seeing a significant increase in pay to 500-thousand dollars.

Louisiana Tech plans to demolish its tornado-damaged baseball, softball and soccer facilities this summer. Still no definite plans on where those teams will hold their home games next season.

At the U-S Senior Open in South Bend, Indiana, Shreveport golfer David Toms is three shots back of the leader, Steve Stricker. Stricker is at 14-under par, while Toms, who is the defending champ, is at 11-under par.

NBA Free Agency begins on Sunday. The Pelicans have about 30-million dollars to spend. Al Horford, Brook Lopez, Nikola Mirotic, Atlanta’s Dewayne Dedmon, Tobias Harris, and J-J Redick have been mentioned as possible targets for New Orleans.

NBA will reportedly give coaches one instant replay challenge per game next season. The coaches could challenge a personal foul, a called out of bounds violation, goaltending or basket interference. The rule is expected to be approved on July 9th.

Major League Baseball last night, former LSU standout Austin Nola hit his first major league home run last night for the Seattle Mariners. But Seattle lost to Houston 2-1 in 10 innings. Former LSU pitcher Will Harris got the win.

Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robicheaux will continue his recovery from open heart surgery at Oschner Health Center in New Orleans.

La Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland tells the News-Star that the Bulldog baseball, softball, and soccer teams will not play home games on campus next season, because of tornado damage done to their stadiums. McClelland says they are still working on a plan where baseball and softball will play their home games next season, while soccer is working with Ruston High and the Ruston Parks and Recreation Department.

The News-Star also reports that Oak Grove defensive tackle Keenan Caldwell has committed to Kansas. While Lafayette Christian wide receiver Errol Rogers has reportedly committed to U-L Lafayette.

Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robicheaux will continue his recovery from open heart surgery at Oschner Health Center in New Orleans.

Former LSU stars Alex Bregman and D-J LeMahieu will start for the American League in the All-Star game on July 9th in Cleveland. LeMahieu has the highest batting average in the A-L and Bregman leads Houston in home runs and RBIs.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade likes what he sees from his three freshmen. Wade calls five-star power forward Trendon Watford from Alabama a hard worker. There’s also James Bishop from Baltimore and Charles Manning from Fort Myers, Florida. Wade says Manning is a tremendous defender…
cut 17 (16) “…as a freshman”
Wade says he has a blue-collar, hard-working group.

UNO basketball coach Mark Slessinger has received a contract extension that keeps him on the Privateer sidelines through the 2025-26 season. Slessinger has led UNO to three consecutive postseason appearances.

NBA free agency begins Sunday and the Pelicans are a reported 31-million dollars under the salary cap.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today a one-year contract extension for offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, who is entering is his second season as the team’s O-C. Last year, the Tigers offense averaged 32 points a game, which ranked 38th nationally.

NBA free agency begins Sunday and the Pelicans are a reported 31-million dollars under the salary cap. The Athletic reports the Pels are expected to pursue Tobias Harris, who averaged 20 points a game last season. Philadelphia is also looking to re-sign Harris.

The Pelicans have made it official, naming Antonio Daniels as the team’s new TV color analyst, replacing David Wesley. Daniels has been a studio analyst for Fox Sports Oklahoma and Fox Sports Southwest over the past four years.

And Anthony Davis will continue to wear number 23 in Los Angeles. LeBron James will go back to wearing number six, which he wore in Miami.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade likes what he sees from his three incoming freshman during offseason workouts. The group is highlighted by five-star power forward Trendon Watford from Alabama, who Wade calls a hard worker…
Cut 16 (25) “…does that”
The other two members of the class are guards, James Bishop from Baltimore and Charles Manning from Fort Myers, Florida.

Shreveport golfer David Toms is tied with Steve Stricker for the lead at the Senior Open in South Bend, Indiana. The former LSU standout shot a 62 yesterday.

And former LSU stars Alex Bregman and D-J LeMahieu have been voted as starters for the American League All-Star team.

LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is set to receive a one-year contract extension. It’s up for approval at tomorrow’s LSU Board of Supervisors meeting. Ensminger is entering his second season as the Tigers O-C. His 800-thousand dollar annual salary will remain the same. Tomorrow’s agenda also calls for contract extensions for offensive line coach James Cregg, special teams coach Greg McMahon and head strength coach Tommy Moffitt.

The Pelicans are reportedly declining the qualifying offer on Cheick Diallo, which means the 22-year-old big man will be an unrestricted free agent when free agency begins on Sunday. The former second-round pick averaged six points and five rebounds a game last season.

Tomorrow at two o’ clock, it’s the big Woman’s World Cup quarterfinal matchup between the U-S and France.

The Ragin Cajuns athletic department announced today that they’ll have fan friendly concession prices for the 2019-202 season. Several items will be available for as little as one or two dollars. Bottled water, hamburgers, pretzels, nachos, fountain soda, and 16-ounce domestic beer cans will all be available for three dollars.

In April, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association will hold state championships in bass fishing. There will be four large regional tournaments in March and a two-day state championship in early April. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says based on the response from member schools, he expects the waters will be packed with students at the state tournaments next year…
cut 29 (09) “…tournament”
Two students from Northlake Christian recently won a national high school Fishing Championship event on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake.

LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is set to receive a one-year contract extension. It’s up for approval at tomorrow’s LSU Board of Supervisors meeting. Ensminger is entering his second season as the Tigers O-C. His 800-thousand dollar annual salary will remain the same. Tomorrow’s agenda also calls for contract extensions for offensive line coach James Cregg, special teams coach Greg McMahon and head strength coach Tommy Moffitt.

The Pelicans have reportedly declined to extend a qualifying offer on Cheick Diallo and Stanley Johnson. The 22-year-old Diallo averaged six points and five rebounds a game last season, but there’s apparently no space for him on the roster with the Pels drafting Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes, plus New Orleans exercised the team option on Jahlil Okafor’s contract.

NBA free agency begins on Sunday. The Pelicans reportedly have more than 30-million dollars to spend on acquiring new players.

Vanderbilt is the champs of college baseball. The Commodores defeated Michigan eight to two last night for their second national title in four College World Series appearances. Vandy won 59 games, an SEC record. Freshman pitcher Kumar Rocker was named the 2019 C-W-S, M-V-P.

Bass fishing has been OK’d as a trial sport for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Vanderbilt is the champs of college baseball. The Commodores defeated Michigan eight to two last night for their second national title in four College World Series appearances. Vandy won 59 games, an SEC record. Freshman pitcher Kumar Rocker was named the 2019 C-W-S, M-V-P.

The NCAA is putting new transfer rules in place, which could make it tougher for student-athletes to gain immediate-elgibility once they move to another school. The revised guidelines will require more input from athletic directors from an athlete’s original school on whether the circumstances that led to the transfer should result in a player being able to play right away at their new school.

ESPN reports the NBA is looking at shortening its 82-game regular season. Fewer games would give the league an opportunity to have a new midseason cup-sytle tournament and possibly a postseason play-in tournament. These ideas could be put into place for the 2021-22 season.

NBA free agency begins on Sunday. The Pelicans reportedly have more than 30-million dollars to spend on acquiring new players.

Tomorrow at two o’ clock, it’s the big Woman’s World Cup quarterfinal matchup between the U-S and France.

Bass fishing has been accepted by the Louisiana High School Athletics Association as a trial sport, with 173 schools in Louisiana telling the organization that they’d like to see fishing made official. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says prep-age fishing competition is already popular in the state, and this will give those kids a chance to use those skills while wearing school colors.
Cut 7 (10) “…opportunity.”
The sport won’t feature one on one competitions between rival schools, but four large regional tournaments in March, and a two-day state championship event April 3rd and 4th next year.