The Louisiana High School Officials Association executive committee meets on Sunday as referees plan to strike over pay and other work conditions. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

Former Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback Ken Stabler has died as a result of complications associated with colon cancer. He was 69. Nicknamed “The Snake,” Stabler spent the final three years of his career with the Saints between 1982–1984. He led the the Oakland Raiders to their first Super Bowl victory in the 1976 season.

UL-Lafayette Coach Tony Robichaux will remain head of the Ragin Cajuns baseball team through at least 2020. The UL System approved a new five year contract extension for Robichaux which began July 1st.

It’s being reported that the New Orleans Pelicans came to an agreement with reserve forward Luke Babbitt on a two year, $2.5 million contract late last night. That would mean 10 different players from last season’s team are under contract for the next year.

Honors continue to be announced and one of the latest is for LSU senior punter Jamie Keehn who is one of 25 players named to the Ray Guy Award watch list. He’s the fifth LSU player this week to be named to a preseason award watch list. SEC Media Days takes place next week in Hoover and LSU’s day, which is Thursday, will feature Leonard Fournette, Jalen Mills and Vadal Alexander joining Les Miles.

The New Orleans Saints made no selections in Thursday’s NFL supplemental draft. It’s the 34th straight season the Black and Gold hasn’t been involved in the supplemental draft.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis signed his five-year contract extension worth 145 million dollars just after midnight as the moratorium on signings and trades were lifted. It will go into effect following the upcoming season. New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry is excited to have A-D on the roster for the next six seasons…
cut 30 (27) “…franchise”
The New Orleans Pelicans summer league team begins action tomorrow in Las Vegas. They’ll take on the Milwaukee bucks, who have former LSU Tiger Johnny O’ Bryant on their roster.

LSU men’s basketball announced today that they’ll host Kennesaw State out of the Atlantic Sun Conference and South Alabama prior to playing in Brooklyn in the Legends Classic. The game against Kennesaw will take place November 16th in the PMAC and the Tigers will host South Alabama on November 19th.

Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep him in the UL Lafayette dugout through the 2020 season. Robichaux has led the Cajuns to back-to-back apperances in the NCAA Tournament.

Southeastern Louisiana baseball coach Matt Riser has also agreed to a new multi-year contract. Riser has agreed to a new 3-year deal after winning 80 games the past two seasons in Hammond.

In football notes…LSU senior punter Jamie Keehn has been named to the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list. Camping World is reportedly the new sponsor of the Independence Bowl and the Manning Passing Academy is underway in Thibodaux.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis has officially signed his max offer contract extension that will pay him 145-million dollars over a five year period. The new deal will begin with the 2016-17 season and keep Davis in New Orleans for at least another six years. Davis signed the contract in Hong Kong, where he is working with youth camps. He posted this message on Instagram…
cut 30 (13) “…Go Pels”
The Pelicans have also announced they’ve re-signed free agents Alexis Ajinca, Omer Asik and Dante Cunninghamn.

The Advocate’s Luke Johnson reports that U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux has received a five-year contract extension that kicked in on July 1st. Robichaux will reportedly receive just over 125-thousand dollars and he could receive more based on the team’s performance on the field and in the classroom.

The Manning Passing Academy gets underway today on the campus of Nicholls State. This is the 11th year the camp for high school athletes has taken place in Thibodaux. The highlight of the event is the quarterback challenge on Saturday night at Guidry Stadium.

Camping World is reportedly the new sponsor of the Independence Bowl, but the officials with the I-Bowl have yet to confirm that report. The Shreveport bowl game has been looking for a sponsor since March, when Duck Commander backed out of its affiliation with the game.

LSU senior punter Jamie Keehn is one of 25 players on the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list, which goes to college football’s best punter. Keehn averaged nearly 45 yards a punt last season, which was the second best in the SEC.

Tulane University and North Carolina have agreed to a three-game series in men’s basketball. The Green Wave will play at Chapel hill during the upcoming season and again 2017-2018, then Tulane hosts the Tar Heels during the 2016-2017 season.

It’s official. New Orleans Pelicans star power forward Anthony Davis has signed his five-year, $145 million dollar contract extension. The extension agreement starts season after next, so he’s under contract with the Pels for the next six years. This is reportedly the most lucrative contract in NBA history.

The Executive Director of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association said in a recent radio interview that he is livid over the situation with the referees demanding more money. Eddie Bonine asserts the Louisiana High School Officials Association is not following its bylaws and is not a sanctioned subgroup that the LHSAA can negotiate with. If an agreement between the two sides is not made by the beginning of the school year, all high school sports are in jeopardy.

LSU’s starting lineup for the Southeastern Conference Media Days is complete. We’ll have more on who’s going to Hoover after this.

LSU’s sophomore running back Leonard Fournette, junior middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith and senior right tackle Vadal Alexander are scheduled to accompany LSU coach Les Miles to SEC Media Days next week in Hoover, Alabama. LSU’s session will be Thursday.

Tulane University and the University of North Carolina have agreed to a three-game series in men’s basketball. The Green Wave will play at Chapel hill during the upcoming season and again 2017-2018, then Tulane hosts the Tar Heels in 2016-2017.

The Manning Passing Academy — now in its 11th year at Nicholls — once again takes over the Thibodaux campus with 1,200 campers and 120 coaches beginning today and ending on Sunday. The success and admiration of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning in both college football and the NFL has lead the camp in becoming a national event.

Former LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell said in a recent radio interview that he’s no longer in a walking boot he had to wear during the New England Patriots off-season practices and that he’s ready to go.

Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry says they plan to use Anthony Davis at center during the upcoming season, but they also want him to develop a three-point shot as well. Gentry says they’ve told A-D not to leave the gym until he’s made 150 threes from each corner. Davis has only made three three-pointers during his career.

LSU junior Ethan Pocic is one of 63 players on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, which goes to the most oustanding center in major college football. Pocic has started four games at center in his career, but he’s expected to play at guard this season for the Tigers.

Louisiana Tech’s Kirby Wixson is also on the Rimington Award Watch List. The Pearl, Mississippi, native was an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention selection last season.

In golf…Rory Mcilroy has announced he will not play in this month’s British Open after injuring his ankle while playing soccer. The nation’s number one player won the Open Championship last year.

Former LSU Tiger Kevin Gausman turned in the shortest big league start of his career giving up 8 runs as the Baltimore Orioles lost 8-3 to the Twins on Tuesday night. He struck out four and walked one.

The Southland Conference announces they’ve multi-year agreement with ESPN, which will result in a minimum of 120 Southland Conference sports events to be carried live on an ESPN platform over five years.

You can now bring any gun with you when you bow hunt. In the past, hunters were only allowed to carry a 22 caliber pistol loaded with rat shot that could only kill small pests. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says although there were concerns initially about the bill, the responses have been positive now that it has been signed into law…:
CUT 29 (05) “negative feedback”

LSU running back Leonard Fournette is racking up the honors as he’s named to the Maxwell Award watch list. UL-Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is also getting plenty of nods as he’s also been named to the Maxwell watch list as has Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon.

Two Tigers were named to the Bednarik Award watch list for defensive player of the year…they are linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jalen Mills.

Former LSU Tiger Kevin Gausman turned in the shortest big league start of his career giving up 8 runs as the Baltimore Orioles lost 8-3 to the Wins on Tuesday night. He struck out four and walked one.

The Lafayette High School Officials Association has voted to join other official associations from around the state in a strike. High school refs are planning not to work games in the fall, unless they receive a pay raise. They say they’ve only received two increases in pay in the last 25 years. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says they plan to discuss the issue at this weekend’s executive committee session.

Former LSU Quarterback Zach Mettenberger continues to spar with Houston Texans defensive end JJ watt over the selfie matter. Mettenberger snapped a picutre of himself in his first career start for the Tennessee Titans in their game, which they lost, to the Texans last season. Watt said the NFL is not high school and the incident showed Mett was not ready to start. Mettenberger fired back in an interview saying that since Watt seems to mock him everytime he posts a selfie on Instagram he’s the one who is acting like a high schooler.

Louisiana hunters are now allowed to carry any firearm of their choice during bow hunting season. In the past, hunters were only allowed to carry a 22 caliber pistol loaded with rat shot that could kill small pests. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says he believes this law will be beneficial to keeping hunters safe from more aggressive animals…:
CUT 7 (12) “gun with me”

The LSU Tigers have two players that have been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, which goes to college football’s defensive player of the year. Senior safety Jalen Mills and junior linebacker Kendell Beckwith are among the dozens of players who are on the Bednarik Watch List. LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette is on the Maxwell Award watch list, which goes to the college player of the year.

UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is also on that list. The Houma native rushed for over 12-hundred yards and 14 touchdowns last season, while also catching 45 passes. Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon is also on the Maxwell List. Dixon enters the 2015 season as the Bulldogs leading rusher.

Former LSU baseball star DJ LeMahieu is a major league All-Star. LeMahieu has been named as a reserve on the national league roster. The second baseman is hitting .298 with four home runs and 34 RBIs for the Rockies this season after winning a Gold Glove last year.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports the Pelicans are interested in signing veteran forward Carlos Boozer. Broussard also named the Clippers, Mavericks and Raptors as other teams who have shown interest in the former Laker, who averaged 12 points and seven rebounds a game last season.

The Lafayette High School Officials Association has voted to join other official associations from around the state in a strike. High school refs are planning not to work games in the fall, unless they receive a pay raise. They say they’ve only received two increases in pay in the last 25 years. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says they plan to discuss the issue at this weekend’s executive committee session.

The Louisiana Tech Athletics Department is requesting nominations for its 2015 Hall of Fame class as fans and alumni are encouraged to submit their candidates for consideration for the University’s induction this fall. Deadline for nominations is Aug. 15.

More college football watch lists came out today. LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been named to the Maxwell Award, which goes to America’s College Player of the Year. UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire and Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon are also on that list.

LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith and defensive back Jalen Mills are on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which goes to college football’s defensive player of the year. Mills is entering his senior season and has six career interceptions. Beckwith had 77 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception last year as a sophomore.

Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu has been named a National League All-Star reserve. LeMahieu, who won a gold glove last season, is hitting .298 with 34 RBIs for Colorado Rockies. It will be his first All-Star appearance. The All-Star game is Tuesday July 14th in Cincinnati.

The Lafayette Officials Association is joining with other official associations from around the state in a strike. High school refs are seeking a pay raise. They say they’ve only received two in the last 25 years. It will take a vote from high school principals to increase their pay, but they are not scheduled to meet until January. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says they plan to discuss the issue at this weekend’s executive committee session.

LSU wide receiver Avery Peterson announced on his Facebook Page that he plans to leave the program. Avery is the younger brother of former LSU All-America cornerback Patrick Peterson. He’s played in one game over two years with the Bayou Bengals.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been named to the 2015 Paul Hornung Award Watch List. Last season Fournette ran the ball 187 times for for 1034 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also named on the list are UL-Lafayette’s Elijah McGuire, Carlos Henderson of Louisiana Tech, Rashon Ceaser of ULM and New Orleans native Speedy Noil of Texas A&M.

The Louisiana Tech Athletics Department is requesting nominations for its 2015 Hall of Fame class as fans and alumni are encouraged to submit their candidates for consideration for the University’s induction this fall. Deadline for nominations is Aug. 15. The Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame Induction will be Saturday, Oct. 24.

In big national sports news, Florida State has dismissed De’Andre Johnson after a disturbing video made the rounds which shows the quarterback punching a woman in the face at a bar. He was charged with misdemeanor battery in the incident. And Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher announced Monday that Johnson is immediately no longer with the program.

According to the MaxPreps 2015 top 50 national high school softball rankings, The North DeSoto Lady Griffins, who won the LHSAA Class 4A state softball title earlier this year in Sulphur, finished the year ranked 34th in the country.

According to a USA Today database, all but one of Louisiana’s public Division I university athletic departments depends on some form of subsidy. LSU is the only one and just one of seven in the nation that doesn’t get a subsidy for its athletic department. Subsidy money for last school year ranges from 26% at UL-Lafayette to 63% at Northwestern State. They go to the AD’s office when raising tuition and university budget cuts adversely affect athletic budgets.

It’s that time of the year when we start to see watch lists come out for the upcoming college football season. The 2015 Paul Hornung Award watch list came out today and LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette is one of 44 players on that list. The award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Fournette led the Southeastern Conference in all purpose yards last season. Also on the list are…ULM’s Rashon Ceasar who caught 77 passes last season and returned a dozen punts. Louisiana Tech’s Carlos Henderson, who was eighth last season in kickoff return yards as a freshman and UL Lafayette’s Elijah McGuire, who finished 19th in the country in all-purpose yards last season.

Avery Peterson, the younger brother of former LSU all-american cornerback Patrick Peterson, has announced on facebook that he is leaving the LSU football program. Avery Peterson has only appeared in one game in his two seasons in Baton Rouge.

LSU football commitment Feleipe Franks is one of 17 quarterbacks who is competing today at the Elite 11 quarterback challenge in Eugene, Oregon. Calvary Baptist QB and Ole Miss commitment Shea Patterson is also there. Six other LSU verbal pledges will be in Eugene later in the week for the seven-on-seven tournament and lineman challenge.

New Orleans Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry is reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Phil Weber as an assistant coach. Weber was the head coach for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development league last season. He’s also coached with Gentry when the two were assistants in Phoenix.

Baton Rouge native and former LSU tiger Brandon Bass has reportedly agreed to contract with the LA Lakers. Bass averaged nearly 11 points and five rebounds a game for the Celtics last season.

And former New Orleans Hornet, David West, has agreed to a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. West will reportedly receive a veteran’s minimum salary, one-point-five million dollars, but he’ll have a shot at winning an NBA Championship.