One of the best LSU running backs ever will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. Kevin Faulk was a three-time all-SEC selection and the Carencro native went on to win three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. Faulk says his football career took off in New England…
cut 24 (11) “…just playing”
Former Saints and Ragin Cajuns quarterback Jake Delhomme is also part of the eight member class that will go through induction ceremonies tonight in Natchitoches. Joining the NFL stars are former college football coach Pat Collins, former softball coach Yvette Girouard, basketball player and coach Avery Johnson, former McNeese State standout Leonard Smith, former St. Aug football coach Otis Washington and horse trainer Frank Brothers.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman played in his first professional baseball game last night and as a designated hitter he went one for five with a single in the ninth inning.

The United States defeated China last night 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup. Carli Lloyd scored the only goal on a header in the 51st minute. Hope Solo had her fourth straight shutout. The U-S plays again Tuesday night against Germany in the semi-finals.

Former Louisiana Tech standout Michale Kyser has received an NBA Summer League invite from the Toronto Raptors. Kyser averaged nine points and seven rebounds from the Bulldogs last season. The Raptors will compete in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, beginning on July 10th.

LSU athletics finished 15th in the annual Learfield Directors’ Cup rankings. The rankings are compiled by adding up how a college performed in all sports during the 2014-15 athletic season. Of LSU’s 21 sports, 16 competed and placed in an NCAA event with the men’s golf team leading the way with the program’s first national title in 60 years.

It’s a big weekend in Natchitoches as eight sports figures will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. One of those individuals is former Northeast Louisiana University football coach Pat Collins, who led the Monroe school to a Division One-Double-A national championship in 1987. Collins credits the staff he had at N-L-U…
cut 15 (08) “….high school”
The 2015 class also includes recent NFL stars Jake Delhomme and Kevin Faulk, who also had standout college careers at then Southwestern Louisiana University and LSU.

For the first time since 2000, LSU had two players selected in the NBA draft. Jarell Martin was a first round selection as he was taken by the Memphis Grizzlies, while Jordan Mickey went in the 2nd round to the Boston Celtics, who picked him with the 33rd pick.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola has been selected to participate in the Major League Baseball Futures game, which is set for July 12th in Cincinnati. The 22-year-old Baton Rouge native is pitching for the Phillies triple-A club, Lehigh Valley. He has a 9-3 record this season as he’s split time between Double and Triple-A.

In the final collegiate baseball poll of 2015, LSU is ranked fifth, while the Ragin Cajuns are ranked 16th. And in case you were wondering, there were 15 home runs hit in 16 games at the College World Series. The most ever, since the C-W-S moved to TD Ameritrade Park in 2011.

Tonight at 6:30, US soccer clashes with China in the quarterfinals of the Womens’ World Cup. It’s the first time these two teams have faced each other since that historic match in 1999 when the Americans won on penalty kicks and Brandi Chastain ripped off her jersey.

For the first time since 2008, LSU had a player selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. The Memphis Grizzlies selected Jarell Martin with the 25th overall pick. Martin averaged nearly 17 points and nine rebounds a game last season.

A few picks later, Martin’s old teammate at LSU, Jordan Mickey was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the second round. Mickey led the nation in block shots per game and he was also the Tigers top rebounder.

The Pelicans didn’t add any one to their roster. They had only one pick, late in the second round, and they used it on Michigan State Forward Branden Dawson. But Dawsen’s rights were sold to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Former Louisiana Tech standout Speedy Smith was hoping to hear his name called last night, but he was not selected in the draft.

One of the best LSU running backs ever will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. Kevin Faulk was a three-time all-SEC selection and the Carencro native went on to win three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. Faulk says his football career took off in New England…
cut 14 (11) “…just playing”
Former Saints and Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is also part of the eight member class that will go through induction ceremonies in Natchitoches.

The 2015-16 Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball schedule has not officially been released, but Coach Bob Marlin has told reporters that U-L Lafayette plans to play Miami, UCLA and Pepperdine on the road next season.

Former NFL stars headline the 2015 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class that will be inducted this weekend in Natchitoches. Former Saints and Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is part of the eight member class. The Breaux Bridge native was a record-setting QB for the Ragin Cajuns and led Carolina to the Super Bowl during the 2003 season. Delhomme credits former Saints offensive coordinator and current Packers head coach Mike McCarthy for the success he had in the NFL…

cut 13 (14) “right team”

The 2015 class also includes former LSU Tiger Kevin Faulk, former St. Aug High School Football Coach Otis Washington, former McNeese State defensive back Leonard Smith, New Orleans native and former NBA player/coach, Avery Johnson, former Cajuns and LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard, horse trainer Frank Brothers and former Northeast Louisiana University coach Pat Collins.

In last night’s NBA Draft, former LSU power forward Jarrell Martin was selected in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies took Martin with the 25th overall pick in the draft. Martin was an All-SEC selection after finishing third in the conference in scoring, rebounding, and field-goal percentage.

The Boston Celtics drafted former Tiger Jordan Mickey in the second round. Mickey is one of only two players in LSU history to have blocked more than 100 shots in a season. The first was Shaquille O’Neal.

With their only pick in the draft, the Pelicans picked former Michigan State small forward Branden Dawson, who the team promptly turned around and traded to the Clippers for cash.

The Houston Astros are sending their first round pick, former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman, to Iowa to begin his professional career. It is expected that Bregman will make his pro debut this weekend for for the Quad City River Bandits.

LSU baseball finished fifth in the final USA Today and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association polls. The Tigers led the nation with 54 victories.

Tonight’s the NBA Draft and two former LSU Tigers should be selected, possibly in the first round. Yahoo-dot-com’s mock draft has Memphis with the 25th overall pick taking Jarrell Martin, while Gary Parrish, with C-B-S Sports has Boston selecting Jordan Mickey with the 28th overall pick. Ricky Blanton of the LSU Sports Radio Network says Mickey’s stock is on the rise, because of good pre-draft workouts and NBA scouts appreciate his skill set…
cut 18 (08) “….he’s young”
Former Louisiana Tech standout Speedy Smith is projected to go in the 2nd round.

The Pelicans only have one draft pick tonight and that’s late in the second round.

The Houston Astros are sending their first round pick, former shortstop Alex Bregman, to Iowa to begin his professional career. Bregman will play for the Quad City River Bandits.

Louisiana Tech announces that they are naming the new south end zone facility at Joe Aillet Stadium in honor of the Davison Family, which has supported the Bulldog athletic program and university for three generations. Officials broke ground on the facility 14 months ago, and it’s expected to be operational for the season opener against Southern on September fifth.

LSU baseball finished fifth in the final USA Today and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association polls. The Tigers led the nation with 54 victories. The college baseball season wrapped up last night with Virginia beating Vanderbilt four to two for the national title.

Five-time major league All-Star Josh Hamilton makes a rehab star at Zephyr Field tonight. The Rangers put Hamilton on the D-L earlier this month with a left hamstring injury and he’ll play tonight for the Round Rock Express. Hamilton has only played in seven games this season for Texas.

Two former LSU men’s basketball players are expected to be selected in tonight’s NBA draft. Former Tiger Jarrell Martin was considered a first-round selection when he announced in March that he was turning pro. He averaged nearly 17 points and nine rebounds a game last season. But LSU radio color analyst Ricky Blanton says Martin’s stock has been dropping, as teams are having a hard time trying to determine what position he’ll play in the NBA…
cut 17 (12) “…embrace it”

Blanton says it appears fellow former LSU Tiger Jordan Mickey’s stock is rising, because of good pre-draft workouts. Former Louisiana Tech standout Speedy Smith is projected to be selected in the second round.

The Pelicans only have one pick and that’s the 56th overall selection, which will take place in the second round.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees tells ESPN’s Ed Werder that he’s convinced he’ll win a another Super Bowl. Brees that’s what keeps him going and he also said again that he would like to play until he’s 45. Brees came in at number 30 on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2015. That’s a 24 spot drop from last year.

In baseball, former St. Thomas More standout and LSU recruit O’Neal Lochridge has been named the Marucci Sports Baseball Player of the Year. Lochridge helped the Cougars win their second straight state championship as he hit .454 with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs.

LSU catcher Kade Scivicque has been named to the 2015 All College World Series team. Scivicque had six hits in Omaha and drove in three runs.

Virginia won the C-W-S last night with a four to two victory over Vanderbilt. It’s the A-C-C’s ifrst title in baseball since 1955.

Two former LSU basketball players are expected to be selected in tonight’s NBA draft. Former Tiger hoops star and current color analyst on the LSU Sports Radio Network, Ricky Blanton, says Jarrell Martin and Jordan Mickey could be selected late in the first round, but he says Martin’s stock has fallen since he’s not participated in a lot of five-on-five and three-and-three workouts…

cut 16 (12) “I don’t know”

But Blanton says Mickey’s stock has been on the rise, because of good pre-draft workouts. By the way, the Pelicans will get the 56th pick in this year’s draft.

Former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman has signed with the Houston Astros. Houston selected Bregman with the second overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. His signing bonus is reportedly around six million dollars. The Astros have also announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Zac Person. The former LSU reliever was picked in the ninth round by Houston.

LSU’s 2016 baseball schedule has been released. The Tigers will have weekend non conference series against Cincinnati, Sacramento State, Fordham, and Ball State. They’ll host Vanderbilt during the second weekend of April and they have a two-game road trip to Notre Dame planned in may. Coach Paul Mainieri used to coach in South Bend.

Virginia claims their first College World Series title after defeating Vanderbilt last night 4-2. The Cavaliers finish the season with a 44-24 record. Their 44 wins are the fewest by a national championship team since 1968.

The estranged heirs to Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson have announced they will appeal last week’s ruling by a judge, who determined the 87-year-old is not mentally incompetent to run his professional franchises. According to an attorney for the heirs, Benson is in a foggy state and his condition will only continue to get worse.

For the second straight year, Lutcher High School’s bulldog mascot has been stolen. It’s reported that the bulldog named Spike went missing Tuesday morning. St. James Sheriff Willy Martin says his deputies are searching for the dog.

Former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman signed with the Houston Astros today. Houston selected Bregman with the second overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. His signing bonus is reportedly around six million dollars. The Astros have also announced the signing of left-hander pitcher Zac Person. The former LSU reliever was picked in the ninth round by Houston.

LSU’s 2016 baseball schedule has become public. The Tigers will have weekend non conference series against Cincinnati, Sacramento State, Fordham and Ball State. They’ll host Vanderbilt during the second weekend of April and they have a two-game road trip to Notre Dame planned in may. Coach Paul Mainieri used to coach in South Bend.

And work is underway to install netting underneath the grandstand overhang at Alex Box Stadium. Officials hope the netting will keep the birds away and stop them from pooping on the fans during the game. The project is expected to take four months to compelte.

The estranged heirs to Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson have announced they will appeal last week’s ruling by a judge, who determined the 87-year-old is not mentally competent to run his professional franchises. According to an attorney for the heirs, Benson is in a foggy state and his condition will only continue to get worse.

A bad situation is developing for the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. The referees are threatening a walk-out, if they don’t see an increase in pay for the games they work. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says if the impasse is not resolved, they could have problems finding officials for high school atheltic events when school begins in August. Bonine hopes it doesn’t come to that…
cut 28 (05) “…suffer here”
The Louisiana High School Officials Association says they’ve only received two pay raises over the last 25 years. The referees say they are tired of promises, which is why they’ve rejected a proposal for any increase in pay to begin in 2016.

Discussions between the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and officials have broken down as referees who work high school athletic events are looking for a pay raise. Refs in seven sports are seeking a pay increase between five to ten dollars per official, per event. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he can’t increase referee pay, only principals can and that can’t happen until January…
cut 17 (11) “…festered over time”
The Louisiana High School Officials Association says they’ve only received two pay raises over the last 25 years. The refs say they are tired of promises, which is why they’ve rejected a proposal for any increase in pay to begin in 2016. If a deal is not reached, it could leave the LHSAA scrambling for officials when school starts in August.

Former Saints Head Coach Jim Haslett will serve as a consultant for the Penn State Football team. That’s according to Penn State head coach James Franklin. Haslett is a Pittsburgh native.

Have you ever sat in Alex Box Stadium and a bird pooped on you during the game? Well, crews are working on attaching netting to the bottom side of Alex Box’s grandstands overhang. They hope the netting will keep birds away. Construction is expected to take four months.

McNeese State announces that at least three of its football games will be shown on television or the internet. The Cowboys season opener against LSU will broadcast live on the SEC Network. The Pokes home opener on September 12 against UIW will be shown on the American Sports Network and the Cowboys game at Stephen F Austin will be carried on ESPN 3 at 6 PM.

William Mafi the second, a junior college all-american receiver has signed to play with Northwestern State. He has two years of eligibility and can play this fall. He’s six-foot-two, and caught 72 passes for 963 yards and six touchdowns for a community college in California last season.

There’s a break down in talks between the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and referees over how much they should be paid. The Lousiaina High School Officials Association wants a raise prior to start of the 2015 school year, but L-H-S-A-A director Eddie Bonine says an increase in pay can’t take effect, until it’s voted on by school principals in January…

cut 16 (17) “has to cash”

The Louisiana High School Officials Association says they’ve only received two pay raises over the last 25 years and they are seeking a pay increase in all sports.

In baseball…LSU’s Alex Lange has been named to the Baseball America Freshman All-American team. Lange went 12 and 0 with a 1.97 ERA this past season for the Tigers.

Tiger-rag-dot-com reports that an NBA team has told former LSU Tiger Jordan Mickey they are committed to selecting him in the first round in tomorrow night’s draft. Most draft experts have Mickey going in the 2nd round.

Virginia forces a third and final game in the College World Series Final Round as they upended Vanderbilt 3-0. The Commodores are trying to win their second national championship in as many years. The Cavaliers are looking to become the Atlantic Coast Conference’s first national championship baseball team since 1955. The winner take all matchup happens at 7PM tonight and you can watch on ESPN.

In the majors, third baseman Luis Valbuena hit two home runs as the Houston Astros unloaded on the Los Angeles Angels 13-3. The Astros have a four game lead over the Rangers in the American League West. And the Washington Nationals got past the Atlanta Braves 3-1.