It was Conference USA Media Day today and Louisiana Tech goes into the upcoming season as a favorite to win the West Division. The Bulldogs have a new defensive coordinator. Blake Baker replaces Manny Diaz. Baker was the Bulldogs safeties coach last season and Head Coach Skip Holtz says the defensive scheme won’t change much with Baker, which is what the players wanted…
cut 30 (13) “…this year”
Tech led the FBS with 42 takeaways last season.
LSU Football Coach Les Miles says freshman running back Derris Guice is participating in team activities again after a trip to the hospital last week. Guice reportedly needed medical assistance for severe dehydration while working out at the LSU football practice facility.

Defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana has eight players on the league’s preseason All-conference football teams. The Lions placed two players on the first team, defensive backs Harlan Miller and Denzel Thompson. Northwestern State has six players on the preseason teams, including wide receiver Ed Eagan. McNeese State has four players, three on the first team, linebackers Wallace Scott and Bo Brown and defensive back Brent Spikes. Nicholls State has one player, running back Michael Henry.

In NBA News…the Pelicans have reportedly reached a one-year deal with 30-year-old center Kendrick Perkins, who is expected to bring defensive toughness to the Pels. Seth Curry, who averaged 25-points a game for the Pelicans summer league team has signed with Sacramento. And Jimmer Fredette is leaving New Orleans as he’s reportedly agreed to a training camp deal with San Antonio.
In major league baseball….former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman will start for the Orioles tonight, who vist the first place New York Yankees.

It’s been a long season for the Philadelphia Phillies, who have the worst record in the Major Leagues, but Baton Rouge product and former LSU All-American Aaron Nola gave the city of Brotherly Love something to cheer about last night. Nola threw six strong innings, allowing just one run and striking out six in his major league debut for the Phillies. But Philadelphia still lost one to nothing to Tampa Bay as the only run Nola gave up was to the opposing pitcher, who hit a home run. Nola will make his next start on Sunday in Chicago against the Cubs.

In the NBA….the Pelicans have reportedly reached a one-year deal with 12-year veteran center Kendrick Perkins. The 30-year-old helped the Boston Celtics win an NBA Championship in 2008.

And Seth Curry has signed a two-year deal with the Sacramento Kings. Curry averaged nearly 25 points a game for the New Orleans Pelicans summer league team.

Defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana has eight players on the league’s preseason All-conference football teams. The Lions placed two players on the first team, defensive backs Harlan Miller and Denzel Thompson. Northwestern State has six players on the preseason teams, including wide receiver Ed Eagan. McNeese State has four players, three on the first team, linebackers Wallace Scott and Bo Brown and defensive back Brent Spikes and Nicholls State has one player, running back Michael Henry.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth has announced the dismassal of two football players…defensive lineman Marquis White and receiver C-J Bates. Hudspeth says they felt it was in the best interest of the program to part ways. White had 16 tackles last season, while Bates caught 12 passes.

Louisiana College has been picked to finish third in the American Southwest Conference. Wildcats quarterback Eason Melancon has been named an A-S-C preseason player of the year.

Former LSU All-American Aaron Nola makes his major league debut tonight when he pitches for the Phillies, who host Tampa Bay. The 22-year-old only spent 13 months in the minors and compiled an ERA of 2.39 while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A this season. Former LSU Tiger pitching great Ben McDonald says his advice for Nola is to stay within himself…
cut 30 (18) “…that point”
25 years ago today, McDonald made his major league debut with Baltimore and and the former LSU star threw a complete game shutout against the Chicago White Sox.

Conference USA Media Days are tomorrow in south Florida. Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz will be there, along with safety Kentrell Brice and quarterback Jeff Driskel.

ULM Football Coach Todd Berry is very confident about the team he has going into the 2015 season. He calls it the best he’s had since arriving in Monroe to coach the Warhawks. ULM struggled to run the football last season, averaging just 70 yards a game on the ground. Berry expects better results this season….
cut 19 (14) “…with that”
Berry takes over the play-calling duties this season after the team went four and eight last year and lost five games by a touchdown or less.

In basketball…the Lady Techsters have released their schedule for the upcoming season. Coach Tyler Summit’s team opens the season on November 14th at Wisconsin. The Lady Techers will also visit the Bahamas where they’ll play UCLA and they have a three-game homestand in December where they’ll host Mississippi State, UL Lafayette and McNeese.

Ragin Cajuns football coach Mark Hudspeth will not name a new starting quarterback until the September 5th season opener against Kentucky. Brooks Haack, Jalen Nixon and redshirt freshman Jordan Davis are all seeking to Terrance Broadway, who has been the starting QB the last three seasons. UL Lafayette has been to the New Orleans Bowl for four straight years. Hudspeth says the annual trip to the Big Easy is not getting stale, but playing in a major bowl game is the goal…
cut 17 (15) “….not the destination”
The Ragin Cajuns were picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Preseason Poll.

Louisiana Tech will hold its annual Fan Fest on Saturday, August 22nd at 3 PM. This is an opportunity for fans to meet members of the Bulldogs football team. And Nicholls State football season tickets are now on sale. The Colonels first home game is October 3rd against McNeese State.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola will make his major league debut tonight as he’ll pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies. The 22-year-old reaches the majors after spending only one season in the minors. In 18 starts in Double-A and Triple-A this season, he’s 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA. He’ll face Tampa Bay in a game that will start at 6:05.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Giants would like to sign Quarterback Eli Manning to a contract extension prior to the start of the regular seaosn. Manning has one more year left on his current deal and the New Orleans native is set to make 17-million dollars this season.

Ragin Cajuns football coach Mark Hudspeth will not name a new starting quarterback until the September 5th season opener against Kentucky. Hudspeth says he plans to keep that information top secret…

cut 16 (14) “get here”

The Ragin Cajuns were picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Preseason Poll. ULM was picked to finish seventh, but Warhawks Head Coach Todd Berry believes this year’s team is the best he’s had since arriving in Monroe, even though they don’t have an established starter at quarterback…

cut 18 (18) “the position”

The Warhawks and Cajuns will meet on Halloween in Lafayette.

Ragin Cajuns Running back Elijah McGuire was named the preseason Sun Belt Conference Offensive player of the year. The junior rushed for 1,264 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. ULM landed three players on the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference football team, wide receiver Rashon Ceaser, defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson and defensive back Mitch Lane.

The LSU athletic department announces they’ve transferred ten million dollars over to the unviersity that will be used for academic and research initiatives on the Baton Rouge campus. Since 2012, the athletic department has given at least seven million dollars to the university each year, and LSU President F King Alexander says the additional dollars are welcomed on the heels of a challenging budget year.

In NBA news, the Pelicans have re-signed forward Luke Babbitt, who averaged four points a contest in 63 games last season. Former LSU Tiger Jordan Mickey has signed a four-year, five-million dollar contract with Boston. The Celtics selected Mickey in the second round of last month’s draft. And the Raptors have reportedly signed former Louisiana Tech star Michale Kyser to a one-year-contract.

The Saints report for training camp in 10 days. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the Black and Gold have improved at cornerback. Detillier is expecting another good season from veteran Keenan Lewis and they have better talent at the other corner spot…
cut 19 (19) “….there”

In the NBA…the Pelicans have re-signed forward Luke Babbitt, who averaged four points a contest in 63 games last season. Former LSU Tiger Jordan Mickey has signed a four-year, five-million dollar contract with Boston. The Celtics selected Mickey in the second round last month. And the Raptors have reportedly signed former Louisiana Tech star Michale Kyser to a one-year-contract.

LSU’s athletic department announces they’ve transferred ten million dollars to the main campus, to be used on academic and research initiatives. That’s about three million dollars more than what university leaders were expecting….
cut 15 (10) “to the campus”
That’s LSU Senior Associate Athletics Director Eddie Nunez.

LSU Coach Les Miles spent today at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut. Miles said on College Football Live that Quarterback Anthony Jennings arrest will have a “postive” end.

Ragin Cajuns Running back Elijah McGuire was named the preseason Sun Belt Conference Offensive player of the year today. The junior rushed for 1,264 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. ULM landed three players on the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference football team, wide receiver Rashon Ceaser, defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson and defensive back Mitch Lane.

We are ten days away from when the Saints report for training camp. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says there’s question marks on the offensive and defensive lines for the Black and Gold this season. Detillier says on the o-line, who will replace left guard Ben Grubbs, who was traded to Kansas City…
cut 18 (15) “…tackle spot”
Detillier says on the defensive line, will we see the group that played well in 2013 or the one in 2014 that underperformed.

Sun Belt Media Days are taking place today in New Orleans. Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire was named the preseason Sun Belt Conference offensive student-athlete of the year.

The LSU athletic department announces they’ve transferred ten million dollars over to the unviersity that will be used on academic and research initiatives on the Baton Rouge campus. Since 2012, the athletic department has given at least seven million dollars to the university, so LSU President F King Alexander says the additional dollars are welcomed on the heels of a challenging budget year.

In the NBA…the Pelicans were eliminated from the Las Vegas Summer League Tournament as New Orleans was defeated by Phoenix 93-87. Bryce Dejean Jones had 25 points and Seth Curry had 21 in a losing effort.

The team has announced the re-signing of free-agent forward Luke Babbit. The former 2010 first round pick started 19 games for the Pels last season and averaged 4 points a contest, but shot 51-percent from three-point range.

In NASCAR, Kyle Busch was the winner at the the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. That’s the second straight win for Bush.

The Saints report to training camp at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, in ten days. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says a big question mark heading into the season is the defensive line, which didn’t play nearly as well as it did two years ago…

cut 17 (19) ” from em”

Detillier says there’s also question marks on the Saints offensive line.  The Saints first pre-season game is August 13 at Baltimore.

The Sun Belt Conference Coaches Preseason Poll has been released and UL-Lafayette is picked to finish second overall in the league.  The Ragin Cajuns will kick off their season August 5th by traveling to Lexington to take on SEC foe Kentucky.

In NBA Summer League play, the Pelicans five game winning streak ended in the tournament semi-final round as they lost to the Phoenix Suns 93-87.  The Suns’ first-round draft pick Devin Booker lead all scorers with 31-points.  Bryce Dejean-Jones led the Pels with 25, followed by Seth Curry’s 21.  This is the first time the Pelicans have ever advanced to the semi-final round of the NBA Summer League Tournament.

Bill Arnsparger, who guided the LSU Tigers to an SEC title in football in 1986, has passed away at his home in Alabama. Arnsparger was the head coach of the Fightning Tigers from 1984 to 1986, compiling a record of 28-8-and-2. Arnsparger also had a great run as an assistant coach in the NFL as his teams made the Super Bowl six times. Arnsparger was 88-years-old.

Former LSU all-american Aaron Nola will make his Major League debute tomorrow as the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Philadelphia picked Nola in the first round last year and he’s quickly moved up the Phillies minor league system.

Bill Arnsparger, who guided the LSU Tigers to an SEC title in football in 1986, has passed away at his home in Alabama. Arnsparger was the head coach of the Fightning Tigers from 1984 to 1986, compiling a record of 28-8-and-2. Arnsparger also had a great run as an assistant coach in the NFL as his teams made the Super Bowl six times. He was the defensive coordinator of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins.

Three LSU Tigers have been named to the preseason All-SEC first team. They are sophomore running back Leonard Fournette, offensive lineman Vadal Alexander and defensive back Jalen Mills.

In a poll of the league’s head football coaches, Georgia Southern is picked to repeat as Sun Belt champions. UL Lafayette received three first-place votes and finished second in the voting. ULM was selected seventh in the 11-team preseason poll.

Former LSU all-american Aaron Nola will make his Major League debute on Tuesday as the right-hander will get the start for the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia picked Nola in the first round last year and he’s quickly moved up the Phillies minor league system. He was 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 18 starts in Double-A and Triple-A this season.

The SWAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors have picked Grambling State to win the West Division. Southern has been projected to finish in second place. Grambling is the favorite to win the West, even though they don’t have one player, who is first team All-SWAC offense or defense.

Former McNeese State basketball star Edmond Lawrence has passed away at the age of 62. The seven-footer was a four-time All-Southland Conference selection from 1973-76. Lawrence is the school’s all-time leading rebounder and shot blocker and he’s ranked second on McNeese’s all-time scoring list. “Big E” as he was nicknamed went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Three LSU Tigers have been named to the preseason All-SEC First team and they are running back Leonard Fournette, offensive lineman Vadal Alexander and defensive back Jalen Mills. Fournette was also on the second team as an all-purpose player and a third teamer as a return specialist.

UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is one of 50 oplayers on the 2015 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch list. The junior from Houma rushed for 12-hundred yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

The SWAC is having its football media day today. Grambling State has been picked to win the Western Division, while the Southern Jaguars are expected to finish in second place.

And Conference USA needs to find a new commissioner. Current commish, Britton Banokwsky is leaving the league to become the executive director fo the College Football Playoff Foundation, which is the organization’s charitable arm.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola has received the call to the big leagues. The Phillies plan to start their former first round pick on Tuesday when Philadephia hosts Tampa Bay at Citizens Bank Park. Nola is 10-and-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 18 starts between stops on the Double-A and Triple-A minor league levels.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says this is an agreement that needed to be done and he’s happy they were able to take the final step.
cut 13 (08) “of fall sports”
The LHSAA says the agreement results in raises for officials in seven sports, including football. The deal still needs to be approved by state principals during their January meeting.