SEC football media days get underway today in Hoover, Alabama, which is the unofficial start to the college football season. Hundreds of reporters attend this event to hear from SEC coaches and players. LSU running back Leonard Fournette will be there and Braden Gall, with Athlon Sports, says the running back will find out what its like to be a star football player in the SEC…

cut 15 (12) “totally different”

Fournette, LSU football coach Les Miles, and two other players will go before the large contingent of media on Thursday.

Former Ruston High School football coach, Jimmy “Chick” Childress has died. Childress coached the Bearcats for 12 seasons and brought home four Class 4-A state championships in 1982, 1986, 1988, and 1990. Childress was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Childress was 83 years-old.

After a four hour meeting in Baton Rouge Sunday, it appears the high school football season will kick off without delay. The Louisiana High School Officials Association and the LHSAA have reportedly reached a tentative agreement that will put officials on the field in time for fall sports. Specific details of the agreement have not been released and it is unknown if official received any pay increase.

The Pelicans continue to roll in NBA summer league play after defeating Dallas 90-86 in Las Vegas. Seth Curry scored 25 points for New Orleans. Larry Drew II added nine points, five assists, and two steals as the Pels improve to 2-0. NBA Summer League play continues through July 20th.

The Pels have signed their first free agent of the offseason that wasn’t one of their own. Small forward Alonzo Gee has agreed to a two-year deal with New Orleans. The 28-year-old split time with Denver and Portland last season.

The executive committee of the louisiana High School Officials Association is set to meet tomorrow as referees across the state are planning to go on strike. The association’s president Paul LaRosa says they are seeking signed contracts with schools that stipulate pay and other conditions, including security at games. LaRosa says officials are tired of promises of more pay, which is why a work stoppage maybe necessary…
cut 30 (09) “…our officials”
LaRosa says officials have only received two pay raises in the last 25 years, but a story in the Baton Rouge Advocate reports football refs have received five pay raises since 1990-91.

Tonight at John L Guidry Stadium at Nicholls State it’s the Iberiabank Air-it-Out and Papa John’s quarterback challenge, which is the marquee event of the Manning Passing Academy.

LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jalen Mills are on the Bronco Nagurski Watch List, which goes to the defensive player of the year. Louisiana Tech defensive back Xavier Woods is also on the Nagurski Trophy Watch List, while ULM defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson was named to both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Outland Trophy.

In the NBA….former LSU Tiger Jarell Martin has signed with the Grizzlies. Memphis drafted Martin in the first round last month after he averaged 14 points and seven rebounds last season at LSU.

The Pelicans have signed their first free agent of the offseason that wasn’t one of their own. Small forward Alonzo Gee has agreed to a two-year deal with New Orleans. The 28-year-old has averaged seven points a game during his career. He split time with Denver and Portland last season.

The Pelicans opened their summer league schedule by beating Milwaukee 101-89 in Las Vegas. Seth Curry scored 30 points. The former Duke star was 10-of-11 from the free throw line.

The executive committee of the Louisiana High School Officials Association meets on Sunday as referees around the state are planning to strike. The association’s president Paul LaRosa says they want signed contracts with individual schools that stipulate referee pay and other conditions, including security at games. He says refs are tired of promises of more pay, which is why a work stoppage maybe necessary…
cut 14 (09) “…our officials”
LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he’ll attend the officials association executive committee meeting on Sunday. He hopes something can be worked out to prevent a ref work stoppage, because student-athletes shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’ll play games this year…
cut 16 (05) “…the way”

NFL fans are mourning the death of former Alabama and Raiders quarter Ken Stabler. He died at the age of 69 after a losing a battle to colon cancer. Stabler played for three seasons for the New Orleans Saints before retiring after the 1984 season. The native of Foley, Alabama, threw for nearly 28-thousand yards in his 15-year career and led Oakland to a Super Bowl Victory.

LSU offensive tackle Vadal Alexander has been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jalen Mills is on the Nagurski Watch List. While ULM defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson was named to both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Outland Trophy.

Northwestern State has added former Edna Karr Star Glenn Irons to its roster. Iroans was a Class 4-A all-state selection in 2013 and signed at Nebraska out of high school. But Irons left the Cornhuskers program after Bo Pelini was fired.

The executive committee of the Louisiana High School Officials Association meets on Sunday as referees plan to strike, jeopardizing the upcoming high school football and volleyball seasons. The association’s president Paul LaRosa says officials are looking for a pay increase, but that’s not the only reason why they are upset…
cut 13 (08) “…trying to fix”
LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says schools can not legally enter into a contract with officials and he’s asking for more time to discuss this issue with high school principals and superintendents…
cut 15 (10) “…on this”

NFL fans are mourning the death of Former Raiders and Saints quarterback Ken Stabler, who died as a result of complications associated with colon cancer.

The Pelicans have reportedly signed free-agent forward Alonzo Gee to a two-year contract worth 2.75 million dollars. Gee is 28-years-old. He played with five teams during his six seasons, averaging seven points and three rebounds a game, while shooting 33-percent from three-point territory.

Here’s the latest with the watch list in college football….LSU’s Vadal Alexander is a preseason nominee for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the best interior lineman in the country. Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler is on the Outland Trophy Watch List after registering 13.tackles for a loss last season.

ULM defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson is on both the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy Watch List. Johnon led the Warhawks with 93 total tackles last season.

And Louisiana Tech safety Xavier Woods is also on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The junior from West Monroe had six interceptions last season, two of them were returned for touchdowns.

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”