It’s award watch list season. LSU junior running back Leonard Fournette was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, which goes to College Player of the Year. It’s a second straight year Fournette has appeared on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list after he rushed for 1,953 yards and a school record 22 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Also, LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith, senior cornerback Tre’Davious White and junior safety Jamal Adams were all named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch list. Beckwith was a semifinalist last year after finishing second on the team in tackles. White led LSU in pass break-ups with seven last year and Adams led the squad with four interceptions.

Stadium Journey has ranked LSU’s Alex Box Stadium as the best ballpark in the country. In its review, they say the Box has it all, powerhouse ball club, state of the art facility, great food selection, rabid fan base and an intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams.

Former LSU star Ben Simmons scored 10 points and had eight rebounds in his summer league debut with the 76ers. Simmons played 23 minutes, but had to leave because of cramps in his right calf. Simmons was also 2-of-9 from the field and made all six of his free throw attempts.

The big sports story today is the announcement on July 4th by Kevin Durant who decided he’s going to leave the Thunder and play for the Golden State Warriors. Some folks in Oklahoma City decided to use their Independence Day fireworks to burn Durant’s jersey when the announcement was made. Sources say Durant’s contract with Golden State, where he’ll play alongside NBA stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, is for $54 million dollars over two years with a player option. This also makes things more difficult for the Pelicans in the Western Conference.

LSU President F King Alexander has announced that in the next few months every athlete, coach and athletic support staff member will be required to undergo sexual harassment sensitivity and awareness training. Alexander says only two other schools are doing this at the moment. Baylor, Tennessee and Florida State have had their share of negative headlines because of sexual assault claims in recent months.

Baton Rouge based competitive eater Adrian “The Rabbit” Morgan was representing Louisiana Monday in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. He appeared with some of the most famous eaters in the contest but was unable to catch up with Joey Jaws Chestnutt — who smashed the previous record after chowing down on about 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Morgan got down 35 wieners.

Former LSU All-American Lynnika Pitts earned a spot on the women’s triple jump finals at the US Olympic trials after finishing 12th in the qualifying round Monday. Formerly of East Ascension, Pitts, who played for the Lady Tigers from 2011-2014, earned the final spot for the finals set for Thursday.

No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons made his NBA debut at the Utah Jazz Summer League on Monday. In his first taste of pro-action, Simmons made the 76ers fans nervous as he left the game in the fourth quarter due to cramps in both calves. Simmons finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists in just under 24 minutes of play as the Celtics won 102-94.

What a day in the NBA and many of the changes will make it tougher on the Pelicans in the Western Conference. First of all, Kevin Durant is leaving Oklahoma City to join forces with two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in Golden State. Durant’s deal is worth a reported two-years at 54-million dollars.

In San Antonio, there are reports future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan will retire, but the Spurs have reportedly added 36-year-old Pau Gasol to their roster. He averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds a game last season in Chicago.

And in Dallas, the Warriors are reportedly trading Andrew Bogut to the Mavericks and the Mavs are expected to sign 24-year-old Harrison Barnes to a four-year contract. Barnes played a big role in the Warriors back to back trips to the NBA finals. He averaged nearly 12 points and five rebounds a game last season.

LSU’s Greg Deichmann hit 12 home runs, but that was not enough to make it out of the first round of the college baseball home run derby at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha. Deichmann was one of eight sluggers in the compeition. Deichmann’s longest homer measured at 460-feet.

Two former LSU track standouts Fitzroy Dunkley and Nickiesha Wilson have made the Jamaican team and will compete in the Summer Olympics next month in Braizil. Dunkley will run the 400 meters, while Wilson will run in the 100-meter hurdles.

LSU President F King Alexander has announced that in the next few months every athelete, coach and athletic support staff member will be required to undergo sexual harassment sensititivey and awareness training. Alexander says only two other schools are doing this at the moment. Baylor, Tennessee and Florida State have had their share of negative headlines because of sexual assault claims in recent months.

Former LSU star point guard Garrett Temple agrees to a 3 year, $24 million dollar contract with the Sacramento Kings. Temple’s agent confirmed the deal to ESPN. Temple averaged 7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds for the Washington Wizards last season, his 10th in the league. He has also played for Charlotte, San Antonio, Milwaukee and Houston.

The Houston Rockets broke open their wallet big time to sign two unrestricted free agent starters from New Orleans: guard Eric Gordon and forward Ryan Anderson. Both signed four-year deals, according to the Houston Chronicle. Gordon’s deal is worth a reported $53 million. Anderson reportedly signed for a potential total of $80 million.

Yahoo Sports reports that free-agent James Ennis is returning to Memphis from New Orleans on a two year, $6 million dollar contract. The 26-year-old averaged 15.9 points, and 3.9 rebounds for the Pels.

LSU first baseman Greg Deichmann hit 12 home runs in the first round of the TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby last night, but he was not able to advance. Deichmann was the only left-handed hitter in the competition. The Most Outstanding Player of the Baton Rouge regional, Deichmann was drafted in the 26th round by the Minnesota Twins in June but has elected to return to LSU for his junior season.

Astros No. 1 prospect Alex Bregman, who just advanced to Triple A Fresno, got a two-out, three run home run in the Grizzlies 7-3 loss to the Salt Lake Bees Sunday afternoon. Bregman went 8 for 17 over the weekend with two home runs, eight RBIs and seven runs scored.

The Jamaican Senior Championships wrapped up Sunday with four LSU Track & Field athletes earning a place on Team Jamaica heading to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro as Fitzroy Dunkley and Nickiesha Wilson qualified in the finale after Damar Forbes and Natoya Goule punched their ticket on Saturday.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has edged ahead of two 2015 Heisman Trophy finalists as the favorite to win this year’s Heisman, according to the Las Vegas online betting service Bovada.com. The latest odds have Fournette improving from 5/1 to 9/2.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine is not sorry about a report that is widely circulating online where he calls the Louisiana high school sports landscape “a proverbial dumpster fire.” He Bonine issued a statement saying, “The phrase was used as it pertained to our association ‘not being on solid ground as it pertains to finances, perception and good standing with our membership.”

The ULM men’s basketball program brought in two new assistant coaches to the staff for the 2016-17 season, Stephen Cowherd and Phillipe Lilavois, announced Friday by head coach Keith Richard. Both appointments are pending approval by the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.

Coastal Carolina took advantage of two errors on the same play to pick up four unearned runs in the 6th inning yesterday in Omaha to claim their first ever national championship in any sport with a 4-3 victory over Arizona in Game 3. The Chanticleers are the first team since Minnesota in 1956 to win the title in its first CWS appearance. The team officially joined the Sun Belt Conference today.

ULM athletic director Brian Wickstrom is negotiating a 12-month contract extension that will keep him at the school thru June 2017. The deal is pending approval from the Louisiana Board of Supervisors. His current contract expires June 30th.

In the MLB, former LSU infielder Alex Bregman was promoted to Triple-A Fresno, which is scheduled to play the New Orleans Zephyrs in a four game series beginning July 14th.

Former Louisiana Tech point guard Alex Hamilton will play for the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the 2016 NBA Summer League which tips off on July 2. The savvy veteran ended his career as the all-time winningest Bulldog in program history with 106 wins.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine is not sorry about a report that is widely circulating online where he calls the Louisiana high school sports landscape “a proverbial dumpster fire.” He did say that it was never meant to be distributed to media outlets, as the comments were given to the National Federation of High School Associations Summer Meeting this week in Reno, Nevada. He went as far as attaching a picture of a burning garbage container. Bonine issued a statement saying, “The phrase was used as it pertained to our association ‘not being on solid ground as it pertains to finances, perception and good standing with our membership.”

Coastal Carolina took advantage of two errors on the same play to pick up four unearned runs in the 6th inning yesterday in Omaha to claim their first ever national championship in any sport with a 4-3 victory over Arizona in Game 3. The Chanticleers are the first team since Minnesota in 1956 to win the title in its first CWS appearance.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette, offensive lineman Ethan Pocic and safety Jamal Adams have been named to the Sporting News All-American first-team.
Linebacker Kendall Beckwith and defensive back Tre’Davious White were named to the second-team.

ULM athletic director Brian Wickstrom is negotiating a 12-month contract extension that will keep him at the school thru June 2017. The deal is pending approval from the Louisiana Board of Supervisors. His current contract expires June 30th.

In the MLB, former LSU infielder Alex Bregman was promoted to Triple-A Fresno, which is scheduled to play the New Orleans Zephyrs in a four game series beginning July 14th.

Former Louisiana Tech point guard Alex Hamilton will play for the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the 2016 NBA Summer League which tips off on July 2. The savvy veteran ended his career as the all-time winningest Bulldog in program history with 106 wins.

Coastal Carolina defeated Arizona 4-3 to win the College World Series title. This is the first national championship for the Chanticleers, who ended LSU’s road to Omaha in the Baton Rouge Regional.

One of the greatest LSU players to ever participate in the College World Series will be inducted into the Omaha College Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday in Omaha. Todd Walker played second base for the Tigers from 1992 to 1994 and was a two-time first-team All-American and two-time member of the College World Series All-Tournament team. He led LSU to the 1993 College World Series title and during the 1994 College World Series, Walker hit one home run, one double and three RBIs. He’ll be inducted alongside Arizona State’s Barry Bonds, Texas’ Keith Moreland and Miami coach Rob Fraser. He is the first LSU player or coach to be inducted.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that former LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings is looking to transfer to UL-Lafayette. He’s scheduled to graduate from LSU at the end of the summer, and could be eligible to play right away with the Cajuns as a graduate transfer.

Green Wave head coach David Pierce has resigned his position at Tulane to take over the baseball program at the University of Texas. In five seasons, Pierce led the Green Wave to two NCAA Regional appearances and the 2016 American Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. Tulane says Pierce, a Houston native, leaves the program in a tremendous position to continue its growth.

The defense lawyers for Cardell Hayes, the man accused of fatally shooting Saints player Will Smith, do not want the trial to take place during football season. Currently, the trial is set to begin September 20th. Hayes’ attorneys believe any trial date during the season could cause unfair bias against their client.

One of the greatest LSU players to ever participate in the College World Series will be inducted into the Omaha College Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday in Omaha. Todd Walker played second base for the Tigers from 1992 to 1994 and was a two-time first-team All-American and two-time member of the College World Series All-Tournament team. He led LSU to the 1993 College World Series title and during the 1994 College World Series, Walker hit one home run, one double and three RBIs. He’ll be inducted along side Arizona State’s Barry Bonds, Texas’ Keith Moreland and Miami coach Rob Fraser. He is the first LSU player or coach to be inducted.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that former LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings is looking to transfer to UL-Lafayette. He’s scheduled to graduate from LSU at the end of the summer, and could be eligible to play right away with the Cajuns as a graduate transfer.

Green Wave head coach David Pierce has resigned his position at Tulane to take over the baseball program at the University of Texas. In five seasons, Pierce led the Green Wave to two NCAA Regional appearances and the 2016 American Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. Tulane says Pierce, a Houston native, leaves the program in a tremendous position to continue its growth.

The defense lawyers for Cardell Hayes, the man accused of fatally shooting Saints player Will Smith, do not want the trial to take place during football season. Currently, the trial is set to begin September 20th. Hayes’ attorneys believe any trial date during the season could cause unfair bias against their client.

The College World Series championship game between Coastal Carolina and Arizona has been postponed until Thursday because of inclement weather in the Omaha. The best-of-three series is tied, and after nearly 2 and a half hours of rain last night, both teams agreed to play today.

Athletic Departments from throughout the state are reacting to the death of coaching legend Pat Summitt, who passed after a difficult battle with dementia at the age of 64. LSU coach Nikki Fargas played and was an assistant for Summitt and said she wouldn’t be where she is today if it weren’t for her Tennessee coach. Louisiana Tech head coach emeritus Leon Barmore says Pat was the most respected, influential coach the women’s game has ever had, and he considers her the first lady of the sport now and forever. New Orleans native and former Vols quarterback Peyton Manning said he was always impressed with the positive impact Summitt had on her players — who had a 100% graduation rate under her leadership.

In the College World Series, Coastal Carolina came back alive last night in Game 2 to edge Arizona 5-4. The victory forces the Wildcats to come back tonight against the Chanticleers who rebound from a 3-0 loss in Game 1. The game in Omaha begins at 7pm and will be televised by ESPN.

The top baseball assistant on David Pierce’s staff at Tulane for the last two years is leaving the Green Wave. D1Baseball.com first reported the news that Sean Allen is joining the staff of the new head coach Greg Goff at Alabama. Allen, who coached Tulane’s hitters and infielders and was promoted to associate head coach for the Green Wave in November, will have the same title with the Crimson Tide.

The National Football Foundation recently announced that former Ole Miss and Saints quarterback Archie Manning will receive the 2016 NFF Fold Medal. It’s the organization’s highest honor — awarded to people based on their integrity, honesty, career success and basic values. He will be granted the award in New York on December 6th.

In the MLB, Former LSU star and top Astros prospect Alex Bregman was selected Tuesday to play in the Futures Game on July 10th in San Diego. Bregman is set to join Triple A Fresno later this week, and he could debut with Houston this season.

Despite devastating flooding, the New Orleans Saints say the team plans to stick with the plan to hold training camp at the Greenbrier in West Virginia at the end of July. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic there is currently no truth to the report that the team will stay and practice in Metairie…:
CUT 15 (10) “training camp”
Camp is slated to begin at the Greenbrier on July 27th.

People in the sports world today are mourning the loss of legendary women’s basketball coach Patt Summitt, who passed away after a difficult battle with dementia. According to a statement from the family, Summitt died peacefully this morning in Knoxville, surrounded by those who loved her most. Summitt led the Tennessee Lady Vols to eight national championships and won more games than any other coach, men’s and women’s, in college basketball history. She was 64.

There’s been another death of a sports legend, as the father of former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, Buddy Ryan, died at the age of 82. Buddy Ryan was the mastermind of one of the stingiest defenses in NFL history, which he used with the Chicago Bears during their Super Bowl 1985 winning season. No official cause of death had been given, but Ryan had been battling cancer. His sons Rob and Rex both currently coach in the NFL.

Coastal Carolina put on an impressive showing against LSU in the Baton Rouge Regional, but they looked like a different team last night in their 3-0 shutout loss to Arizona in the first game of the College World Series. JC Cloney pitched a four-hitter for the Wildcats, and Ryan Aguilar drove in two runs in Game 1. The two will play again today at 7pm in Omaha.

The New Orleans Zephyrs are making news today after the city’s Triple-A baseball team got into a fight last night in Memphis against the Redbirds. It’s reported that Zephyrs pitcher Jose Urena nearly pegged Redbirds left fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker with a fastball. Hazelbaker then charged the mound and both benches cleared. Urena and Hazelbaker, along with 4 other players were ejected from the game.