Bo Campbell Auditorium The 1,000-seat auditorium is used through the year as a classroom and lecture hall. Each seat in the auditorium has space for a laptop and a modem hookup, providing each student unlimited learning opportunities. The auditorium also contains a movie theatre size screen to aid professors with lectures and classroom activities. COX COMMUNICATIONS Academic Center FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
Study Area
Included in the 54,000 square feet of the Academic Center are individual study areas as well as 14 private computer rooms for student- athletes to work one-on-one with tutors or by themselves.
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The Library
The library provides a perfect setting for individual study, or with a tutor as a group.
Computer Stations
Throughout the Academic Center are 300 computer stations, providing student-athletes with a quiet working environment for research, writing and studying.
Amenities 454,000 square feet of working space
4 300 computer workstations
414 private computer rooms in a state-of-the-art computer lab
4Additional study rooms and classrooms for private or group study
4Electronic scheduling of tutoring sessions
4A 1,000-seat auditorium for A $15 million renovation to the Gym Armory in 2002 not only made it among the nation’s premier academic centers, but put it at classes and lectures the forefront. Improvements to the existing center give LSU student-athletes the best opportunity for success by providing access to the latest technology, as well as an array of expanded services.
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 13 Location: Baton Rouge, La. Founded: January 2, 1860 Enrollment: 29,317 President: Dr. John V. Lombardi Campus Major Fields for Bachelor’s Degrees: 72 Major Fields for Master’s Degrees: 72 LIFE Major Fields for Doctoral Degrees: 54
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College has, throughout its 148-year history, served the people of Louisiana, the region, the nation, and the world. LSU is creating a revolution, one of pervasive change and advancement. For the past five years, the focus of the LSU community has been an increased commitment to excellence. Our progress has been dramatic and shows no sign of stopping. Having witnessed many of yesterday's possibilities become today's tangible realities, the LSU community set forth to capitalize on its success. The goal was to improve our standing as a nationally competitive flagship university. Following intense discussions among the LSU Board of Supervisors, campus administrators, faculty, and student leaders, the objectives required to reach this status crystallized, providing the impetus for LSU's National Flagship Agenda. The University lakes on the LSU campus give various recreational options.
14 2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE LSU
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The Tigers’ Amenities Dining Halls Home Away 4 4Weekly Housekeeping From Home 4Cable Television High-Speed Internet LSU has 18 residence halls with 4 4Mail Service architectural styles ranging 4Card Access from a Renaissance style 4Facility Repairs typical of the older core of the 4Security campus to modern high-rise 4T elephone Services buildings. Above is the newest 4Furnished Washer/Dryer addition, the highly popular 4 Microwave East Campus and West Campus 4 apartments, co-ed dormitories that include furnished rooms with connecting suites and e- mail workstations in the lobby, all within a short walk from the dining hall.
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 15 Along with former LSU All-American and current Phoenix Suns star Shaquille O’Neal, several LSU athletic teams, including the gymnastics team, helped renovate a Gymnastics playground at local Polk Elementary. IN THE COMMUNIITY
The Tiger gymnasts joined Louisiana’s First Lady, Surpriya Jindal, in delivering meals to those suffering Working with Habitat for Humanity, the Tigers helped raise due to extended power outages after Hurricane Gustav. the foundation of a house destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward.
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This fall, the Tigers particpated in the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, a half-mile fun walk that was designed to promote awareness and give support to people with Down Syndrome. Community OUTREACH
Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills
LSU gymnastics provides an “Through workshops, service projects, and social events, opportunity to achieve athletic CHAMPS, brings LSU student-athletes information that will success while also getting a prepare them for the biggest game of all - the game of life!” head start on the most important game of all - the game -SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, LSU ALL-AMERICAN & 13-TIME NBA ALL-STAR of life.
The CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success)/Life Job Experience Skills program was developed by the NCAA to help prepare student- Student-athletes at LSU take full athletes for the challenges of life beyond the playing field. advantage of their summers by developing skills in their field of How Can CHAMPS Help? study. Gymnasts spend most of By focusing on "real life" skills and personal development, the CHAMPS Program not only assists the student-athletes with their summer participating in jobs meeting daily challenges, but also enhances student- that relate to their major, like athlete's growth in their college years and beyond. working at ... CHAMPS at LSU 4Hospitals The CHAMPS/Life Skills program at LSU is operated out of the Academic Center for Student Athletes, and the 4Physical therapy centers Public relations firms focus of the program is on five commitments viewed as 4 critical to personal growth. 4Building contractors 4Restaurant management 4Engineering firms 4Accounting offices
Mike Mallet Jade Jenkins Director for the Assistant Director for the CHAMPS/Life Skills program CHAMPS/Life Skills program
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 17 The state capitol building of Louisiana, located in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge, is the tallest capitol building in the nation at 34 stories and overlooks the Mississippi River.
Distance Chart from Baton Rouge (BASED ON 70 MPH SPEED): Atlanta, Ga...... 7 hours Jackson, Miss...... 21/2 hours New Orleans, La...... 1 hour Biloxi, Miss...... 2 hours Jacksonville, Fla...... 8 1/2 hours Orlando, Fla...... 10 hours Birmingham, Ala...... 6 hours Little Rock, Ark...... 5 hours Pensacola, Fla...... 4 hours Dallas, Texas ...... 6 1/2 hours Mobile, Ala...... 3 hours Shreveport, La...... 4 hours Baton 1/2 Houston, Texas ...... 4 hours Monroe, La...... 2 hours ROUGE Hospitality and comfort are a Southern tradition practiced to perfection around Baton Rouge. Minutes from the city, ancient moss-draped oaks, fragrant honeysuckle, formal gardens and the finest examples of Southern architecture await. Combine this with the excitement of the mighty Mississippi River, Cajun music and a gourmet meal that is topped with freshly brewed cafe-au-lait at one of Baton Rouge’s fine restaurants. So what does the future hold? Baton Rouge is now one of the fastest growing cities in the South -- a bustling Metropolis of cutting edge technology companies, high-powered law firms and forward thinking city leaders who passionately support the arts and promote the local economy. Old Man River just got an upgrade. Yes, this is one city that's rolling on the river.
Proximity Baton Rouge is just an hour away from the French Quarter in New Orleans and even closer to the million-acre Atchafalaya Swamp, which is called one of the biggest fishing ponds in the country. Courtesy of Baton Rouge Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
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The Pelican State features the hustle and bustle of downtown New Orleans. Contrast that with the finest hunting, fishing and boating opportunities in the country making Louisiana the "Sportsman's Paradise". Louisiana THE PELICAN STATE
Louisiana, one of America’s most culturally and geographically diverse states, is located in the heart of the Deep South. Adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and dotted with hundreds of lakes and bayous, Louisiana is home to all types of terrain from swamps and marshes to lush forests and gentle hills.
3Unique Culture Louisiana is home to Mardi Gras, a two-week party that includes more than 60 parades and millions of visitors from around the world. All year long New Orleans Jazz, Creole culture, stately riverboats and some of the finest cuisine in the world is mixed into the diverse and renowned culture of Louisiana.
Cuisine4 Foods like boiled crawfish, jambalaya, shrimp etouffee and gumbo make the cajun and creole cuisine of Louisiana the envy of the nation.
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 19 Mike THE TIGER
History of Mike Few mascots in the country are as admired as Mike the Tiger. LSU’s live Bengal mascot serves as the graphic image of all LSU athletic teams. The school has had six mascots, with the most recent, Mike VI, taking over the reign prior to the 2007 national championship football season. LSU veterinarian Dr. David Baker began the search for 1936-1956 the young tiger after his predecessor, Mike V, died in May 2007 of renal failure at the age of 17. The Trainer and namesake Mike Chambers Mike I two-year-old Bengal/Siberian mix, formerly known with Mike I housed in City Park Zoo. The original Mike was purchased as “Roscoe,” was donated to LSU by Great Cats of from the Little Rock Zoo in 1936 Idaville, Ind., a nonprofit sanctuary and rescue games. That practice was discontinued shortly for $750, with money contributed facility for big cats and other large carnivores. afterward and today Mike participates in the by the student body. Originally Mike’s ride through Tiger Stadium before pregame tradition without provocation. known as “Sheik” at the time of home games in a cage topped by the LSU In the mid-1980’s, pranksters cut the locks his purchase, his name was cheerleaders is a school tradition. Before entering on Mike IV’s cage and freed him in the early- changed to Mike to honor Mike the stadium, his cage on wheels is parked next to morning hours just days before the annual LSU- Chambers who served as LSU’s the opponent’s locker room in the southeast end of Tulane clash. Mike roamed free, playfully athletic trainer when the first the stadium. Opposing players must make their knocking down several small pine trees in the mascot was purchased. The first way past Mike’s cage to reach their locker room. area, before being trapped in the Bernie Moore Mike was housed in the Baton Tradition dictates that the Tigers will score a Track Stadium where police used tranquilizer guns Rouge Zoo for one year before a touchdown for every growl issued by Mike before a to capture and return the Bengal Tiger to his permanent home was football game. For many years, Mike was prompted home. Prior to kickoff Mike VI and the constructed near Tiger Stadium. to roar by pounding on the cage. Objections of The incident was reminiscent of a kidnapping LSU cheerleaders parade around Mike I reigned for 20 years cruel punishment brought about the use of of Mike I many years ago by Tulane students the field of Tiger Stadium. before dying of pneumonia. recorded growls to play to the crowd before the before a Tiger-Green Wave battle.
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Mike’s Habitat In 2005, a new environment (above) was created for Mike that is 15,000 square feet in size with lush planting, a large live oak tree, a beautiful waterfall and a stream evolving from a rocky backdrop overflowing with plants and trees. The habitat has, as a backdrop, an Italianate tower - a campanile - that creates a visual bridge to the Italianate architectural vernacular that is the underpinning of the image of the entire beautiful LSU campus. This spectacular new habitat features state-of-the-art technologies, research, conservation and husbandry programs, as well as educational, interpretive and recreational activities. It is, in essence, one of the largest and finest Tiger habitats in the United States.
Championship Cat During his tenure, Mike V reigned over a football national championship, five baseball national championships and a remarkable 23 track and field championships.
1956-1958 1958-1976 1976-1990 1990-2007 2007- Mike II Mike III Mike IV Mike V Mike VI The second Mike served a brief Just in time for the 1958 national Mike IV reigned over Tiger Mike V was donated by Dr. Mike VI arrived in Baton Rouge reign, lasting only through the championship season, Mike III athletics for 14 years after being Thomas and Caroline Atchison of on Aug. 25, 2007, thanks to the 1957 season before dying of was purchased from the donated to the school by August the Animal House Zoological donation by Great Cats of pneumonia in the spring of 1958. Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, A. Busch III from the Dark Park in Moulton, Ala. Dr. Sheldon Idaville, Ind. He was officially He was born at the Audubon Zoo Wash., following a “national Continent Amusement Park in Bivin of the LSU School of designated as the successor to in New Orleans and came to LSU search” by then-athletic director Tampa, Fla, on Aug. 29, 1976. Veterinary Medicine traveled to Mike V on Sept. 8, when LSU on Sept. 28, 1956. The young Jim Corbett. The student body Born on May 15, 1974, Mike’s age Alabama and brought the baby played host to Virginia Tech. Six tiger was held overnight in Tiger contributed $1,500 for the and health were determining tiger back to Baton Rouge. Born days later, on Sept. 14, 2007, a Stadium and unveiled Sept. 29, purchase of the tiger. Mike III factors in his retirement to the Oct. 18, 1989, the new tiger was ceremony was held to honor the opening day of the football served as mascot for 18 seasons, Baton Rouge Zoo in 1990. Mike introduced to LSU fans at a Mike V and dedicate the habitat season. dying after the only losing IV died of old age in March of basketball game against Alabama to Mike VI. The two-year-old season of his reign, as LSU 1995 at the age of 21. in February of 1990. He officially Bengal/Siberian mix, formerly posted a 5-6 record in 1975. began his reign on April 30, known as “Roscoe,” reigned over 1990, when he was moved into a football national title in his first the tiger habitat across from year. Tiger Stadium. Mike V died on May 18, 2007, at the age of 17.
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 21 The five individuals on this page are the only men to have their jerseys retired by LSU. Basketball has retired the No. 23 for Pete Maravich, No. 50 for Bob Pettit, Jr., and No. 33 for Shaquille O’Neal. Football’s only retired jersey is the No. 20 worn by Billy LSU Cannon, while baseball retired the No. 15 in honor of longtime GREATS coach and athletics director emeritus Skip Bertman.
50 20
Bob Pettit Billy Cannon Pettit led LSU to its first NCAA Final Four in One of the true legends of college football in 1953 and he later became the first player in the South, Cannon was the 1959 Heisman NBA history to exceed the 20,000-plus point Trophy winner and helped the Tigers to the barrier. Pettit is a member of the NBA Hall of 1958 national title. Cannon’s most memorable Fame, and in 1997, he was named as one of performance came in 1959 against Ole Miss the top 50 players in NBA history. when No. 1 LSU trailed No. 3 Ole Miss 3-0 in the fourth quarter. He fielded a punt, broke seven tackles and returned it 89 yards for the 7-3 victory. He went on to a successful 11-year professional career.
23 33 15
Pete Maravich Shaquille O’Neal Skip Bertman “Pistol Pete,” Maravich still holds the NCAA O’Neal was the first pick in the 1992 NBA A legend in the college baseball ranks, record for career points with 3,667 and for Draft. He was named MVP of the league in Bertman created a dynasty at LSU, guiding career scoring average with 44.2 points a 2000 and was a three-time NBA Finals MVP the Tigers to five national titles in a 10-year game. He was selected the National Player of after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to three stretch from 1991-2000. He also coached the the Year in 1970 after leading the Tigers to World Championships. At LSU, O’Neal United States to a bronze medal at the 1996 the NIT Final Four. He scored 50-plus points averaged 21.6 points and 13.6 rebounds for Olympics in Atlanta and was an assistant on an amazing 28 times. He went on to a 10- his career, and in 1991, he was named the the gold medal-winning U.S. squad in Seoul, year professional career and was selected as World’s Amateur Athlete of the Year as well Korea, in 1988. Bertman retired from one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players in 1997. as SEC Athlete of the Year and National coaching following the 2001 season and is Player of the Year. In 1997, he was named as the LSU athletics director emeritus. Bertman one of the top 50 players in NBA history. was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
22 2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE LSU LSU’s success in each of its 20 sports is evident THIS IS LSU
with this outstanding list of former Tigers. TIGERS
COACHES Seimone Augustus Sylvia Fowles REVIEW Augustus was the two-time NCAA National A three-time All-American, Fowles was a HISTORY Player of the Year, receiving the Wade member of Final Four teams all four years RECORDS
Trophy, the Naismith and the Wooden of her career. She was the 2008 SEC MEDIA Awards as a junior and a senior. Augustus Player of the Year and the league’s all- helped lead the Lady Tigers to three- time leading rebounder. Fowles was the straight Final Fours. She was the No. 1 second pick of the 2008 WNBA Draft and pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft, and she is a a 2008 U.S. Olympian. 2008 U.S. Olympian.
April Burkholder Esther Jones The 2006 NCAA beam co-national A 21-time All-American while at LSU, champion, Burkholder finished her career Jones won a gold medal as a member of with 14 All-America honors and four All-SEC the United States' 4x100-meter relay team selections. In addition, she was named the at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. NCAA Central Region Gymnast of the year twice, the SEC Gymnast of the Year on two occasions, and she was also the conference's Freshman of the Year in 2003.
Xavier Carter Muna Lee Carter won a school record-tying seven NCAA The most decorated track and field titles on the track and earned a total of 10 athlete in school history, Lee won 20 All- All-America honors. He became just the America awards and a school record second athlete to win four titles at one seven national titles while helping the national meet, joining Jesse Owens. He holds Lady Tigers to five NCAA team four individual school records and anchored championships. A two-time Olympian, Lee LSU’s 4x400-meter relay teams to two school is the 2008 U.S. Outdoor Champion in the records. 100-meter dash.
Glen Davis Ben McDonald A 2006 first-team All-American and SEC McDonald was named the Golden Spikes Player of the Year, Davis helped lead LSU National Player of the Year in 1989, and to its first Final Four appearance since he was later the first player chosen in the 1986. In 2007, Davis was selected by Major League Baseball Draft by the Seattle in the NBA Draft before being Baltimore Orioles. In 2008, he was traded to Boston. He was a vital member inducted into the College Baseball Hall of of the Celtics world championship team in Fame. his first professional season.
Walter Davis David Toms A two-time Olympian and World The two-time SEC Player of the Year, Champion, Davis helped LSU to national Toms has gone on to a successful career titles in 2001 and 2002. The SEC Male on the PGA Tour. Among his PGA Tour Athlete of the Year in 2002, he won six victories was a thrilling win at the PGA NCAA titles and earned a school-record Championship in August of 2001. nine All-America honors.
Meredith Duncan Todd Walker The nation’s top collegiate golfer in 2002, Walker capped his LSU career as the Duncan left LSU as the school’s best SEC’s all-time leader in hits, runs, RBIs, female golfer. She earned first-team All- and total bases. Walker, who is a member America honors as a senior in 2002 and of the All-Time College World Series Team, won the United States Women’s Amateur led LSU to the national title in 1993. Championship in 2001. Walker went on to a successful Major League career for 11 seasons.
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 23 Seimone Augustus Augustus received her degree in 2005 after just three years at LSU and while earning NCAA Women’s Basketball National Player of the Year honors twice. She was the first pick of the 2006 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx and a 2008 U.S. Olympian.
Shaquille O’Neal Four-time NBA champion, including the 2006 title with Miami, Shaquille O’Neal, the 2000 NBA MVP, joined the long list of prominent LSU alumni when he earned his degree in general studies in December 2000. Prominent LSU ALUMNI
Eduardo Aguirre, Jr. Kevin Faulk Named the first Director of U.S. Citizenship and Excelled in both the classroom and on the Immigration Services (USCIS) for the Department playing field as he graduated in just three of Homeland Security in 2003, Aguirre, Jr., was years. Faulk is currently a member of the appointed the U.S. Ambassador to Spain in 2005. three-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Dr. James Andrews Carlos Roberto Flores A world-renowned orthopedic surgeon, Andrews The president of Honduras from 1997-2001, Flores is a 1963 graduate of LSU and a 1967 graduate helped the nation recover after Hurricane Mitch of LSU Medical School. While at LSU, Andrews devastated the country in 1998. Flores is married won the SEC indoor and outdoor titles in the to the former Mary Carol Flake, also an alumnus pole vault. of LSU.
Lod Cook Jim Flores Cook graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s Flores graduated with two bachelor’s of science degree in mathematics in 1955 and then earned degrees; one in corporate finance in 1981 and the his Master’s degree in petro engineering in 1955. second in petroleum land management in 1982. Cook served as CEO of ARCO for nine years. Flores is currently Chairman, President and CEO of Plains Exploration & Production Company.
24 2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE LSU LSU's enrollment is more than 25,000 students, including more than 1,600 international students and nearly 5,000 graduate students.
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Dr. Larry O. Arthur - AIDS researcher. Rufus William (Bill) Harp - COACHES Television set decorator for series including REVIEW John Ed Bradley - Sports Illustrated “L.A. Law” and “Moonlighting” writer and novelist. HISTORY Pat Hewlett - CIO of Exxon Mobil. RECORDS John Breaux - U.S. Senator (1987-2005) and U.S. Congressman (1972-86) from Walter Hitesman - Former president, MEDIA Louisiana. Reader's Digest.
Wil Calhoun - Executive Producer of Hubert Humphrey - U.S. vice president television sitcom “Friends”. (1965-69).
Cassandra Chandler - One of the W. Vernon Jones - Senior Scientist for Federal Bureau of Investigation’s highest Suborbital Research, NASA headquarters. ranking African-American women as special agent in charge of the Norfolk Fielf office. Delos “Kip” Knight - Vice president of marketing and brand management for eBay "Lightning Joe" Lawton Collins - international. Chief of Staff for President Harry Truman. Russell Long - U.S. Senator from Bill Conti - Oscar-winning composer who Louisiana (1948-87). Kenneth Brown has written theme music for several well-known A 1995 graduate of LSU and the host of Home and Garden Television’s (HGTV) movies, including “Rocky” and its sequels. Ray Marshall - Secretary of Labor under President Jimmy Carter. show “redesign”, Brown credits much of his success to LSU’s interior design Eric Arturo Delvalle - President of program, which is ranked among the top 10 nationally. Brown’s show completed Panama (1985-1988). James E. Maurin - Founding partner its first season in 2005. and CEO of Stirling Properties, a national real A. Wright Elliott - Retired executive vice estate services firm. president, Chase Manhattan Bank. Grover Murray - Former president of Maj. Gen. Thomas Rhame - Led 1st David Suarez - Co-owner of Atlantic Graves Erskine - U.S. Marine Corps Texas Tech University. Infantry Division against Iraq during Persian Company of America, Inc., which performed the General in WWII. Gulf War. historic restoration of the Washington Jake Lee Netterville - Chairman of the Monument, the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Maxime A. Faget - Designed Mercury board of Postlethwaite and Netterville, the Thomas O. Ryder - Chairman of the Museum and the main U.S. Treasury Building. and Gemini spacecrafts. largest Louisiana-based public accounting firm. Board, The Reader's Digest Association. Rebeccca Wells - Author of the novel Mary Carol Flake Flores - Former first Edwin Newman - Longtime NBC News Frances Seghers - Senior VP of Sony and film “Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya lady of Honduras. journalist and author. Entertainment European Community Affairs, Sisterhood.’ which includes Sony Music, Sony Pictures and Murphy “Mike” Foster, Jr. - Former Carolyn Bennett Patterson - Former Sony Playstation. Joanne Woodward - Academy Award- governor of Louisiana (1996-2004). senior editor, National Geographic. winning actress and wife of Paul Newman. Dolores Spikes - Former President of the Kevin Griffin - Lead singer of the J. Howard Rambin - Former CEO and Southern University System and the University platinum-selling rock band “Better than Ezra” Chairman of the Board, Texaco. of Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Paul Groves - Award-winning tenor with Rex Reed - Drama critic, syndicated Ray Strother - Author, political the Metropolitian Opera columnist. consultant.
Reinosuke Hara Eddie J. Jones Hara researched at LSU in the 1950s and then The former president of the NFL's Miami later received an honorary doctorate of science Dolphins franchise, the 37-year veteran of the degree from LSU in 1992. He is the former NFL is currently a Trustee of the Bert Bell/Pete President and CEO of Seiko Instruments. Rozelle Retirement and Disability Plan.
Mary L. Landrieu Marty Sixkiller Landrieu became the first woman from Senior Technical Director for PDI/DreamWorks' Louisiana elected to a full term in the United movies "Antz," "Shrek," "Shrek 2," “Shrek the States Senate in 1997. Third,” “Madagascar” and “Over the Hedge”.
Harry J. Longwell James Carville Longwell graduated from LSU in 1963 with a Carville received both a bachelor’s degree and bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and law degree from LSU and gained fame in the retired in 2004 as the Executive Vice President 1990s as the chief campaign strategist for Bill and Director of ExxonMobil. Clinton and Al Gore. Carville also penned a best-selling memoir titled “All’s Fair: Love, War and Running for President”.
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 25 LSU LSU System President Dr. John V. Lombardi President, Louisiana State University System
Dr. John V. Lombardi is the fifth individual to serve as the President of the Louisiana State University System. As its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Lombardi oversees 11 institutions, including five academic campuses, as well as 10 public hospitals located throughout the state. He is also a Professor of History at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. Dr. Lombardi was born in Los Angeles, California and attended Pomona College where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history from Columbia University. He joined the faculty in the Department of History at Indiana University, where he later served as Dean of International Programs and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1987, he became Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University. From 1990-1999, Dr. Lombardi was President of the University of Florida. Prior to his appointment as President of the LSU System, he served as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is a Latin American historian, with a special interest in Venezuela. Dr. Lombardi is also one of the country’s foremost authorities in higher education, serving as Co-Editor of The Top American Research Universities. He is the author of numerous professional publications, and along with his wife, Cathryn, co-authored a teaching atlas on Latin American History. He has taught courses Dr. John Lombardi addresses the LSU Board of Supervisors in history, intercollegiate sports, and university management. at his introductory Board meeting on July 13, 2007. LSU Board of Supervisors
Dr. Jack A. Andonie R. Blake Chatelain Tony Falterman Dr. John George Hank Gowen, Jr. Metairie Alexandria, La. Napoleonville, La. Shreveport, La. Shreveport, La. District 1 District 5 District 3 District 4 District 4
Stanley J. Jacobs Alvin Kimble Louis Lambert Laura A. Leach James Moore Ben W. Mount New Orleans, La. Baton Rouge, La. Prairieville, La. Lake Charles, La. Monroe, La. Lake Charles, La. District 1 District 6 District 6 District 7 District 5 Member at Large
Dorothy ”Dottie“ Reese James P. Roy Jerry E. Shea, Jr. Rod West Henry Barham New Orleans, La. Chairman-Elect Chairman New Orleans, La. Shreveport, La. District 2 Lafayette, La. New Iberia, La. District 2 Student Representative District 7 District 3
26 2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE Chancellor LSU
Dr. Michael V. Martin THIS IS LSU TIGERS
Chancellor, LSU COACHES
REVIEW Dr. Michael V. Martin was approved as the HISTORY eighth chancellor of LSU by the Board of RECORDS MEDIA Supervisors on June 5, 2008. Dr. Martin, formerly the president of New Mexico State University, had served at NMSU since 2004.
In his time at NMSU he was praised for his reorganization of the university’s also received the NMSU Social Justice Award in 2005. athletic department and physical plant, as well as his fundraising prowess. A 1969 Before arriving at NMSU, he served for six years as vice president for graduate of Mankato State College, Dr. Martin received a Ph.D. in applied agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida, leading the economics from the University of Minnesota in 1977 and has since worked in both university's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with more than 3,000 academic and administrative capacities at universities such as Minnesota, Oregon employees statewide. He was elevated to senior vice president of the University of State University and the University of Florida. Florida shortly before being selected as NMSU's president. An agricultural economist, Dr. Martin is considered an expert on land-grant Previously, he was vice president for agricultural policy and the dean of the universities. College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Dr. Martin became president of New Mexico State University on July 1, 2004. An Minnesota. He began his academic career at Oregon State University as a faculty academic leader dedicated to the land-grant mission of teaching, research and member in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. extension service, he was awarded the 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award by A native of Crosby, Minn., Dr. Martin completed a bachelor's degree in business Leadership New Mexico. Dr. Martin was recognized as a strong voice for education and economics and a master's degree in economics at Mankato State College and the agriculture industry in New Mexico. The Leadership New Mexico (Minnesota State University) in Minnesota. He received his Ph.D. in applied Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has used his/her economics from the University of Minnesota in 1977. His areas of specialization are leadership abilities to improve the quality of life for New Mexico citizens and future marketing, prices, international trade, public policy, transportation and business generations. logistics. Dr. Martin also was named the recipient of the Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Some of his philosophy is summed up in the following quote: "It is the tradition Award in 2007. This national award, named after the author of the bill creating of land-grant universities to be non-traditional," written as part of a 2001 article land-grant universities, honors and recognizes outstanding service on behalf of the titled "The Land-Grant University in the 21st Century," published in the Journal of land-grant mission. Only six individuals have been designated to receive this award Agricultural and Applied Economics. He traced the history of the land-grant since it was first given in 1980. movement from the mid-1800s and concluded that "the fundamental land-grant Dr. Martin established at NMSU the One University concept and called for a five- principles of accessibility, practical as well as classical education, research and year plan titled "Living the Vision" to take the university to "the next level." He laid discovery in the public interest, and connectedness to all the people remain the groundwork for university wide extension and created the J. Paul Taylor Social powerful and profound." Justice Symposium. He has been active in professional and community service organizations, During his tenure at NMSU, the first capital campaign was established with a including the Farm Foundation’s Bennett Agricultural Round Table, the National goal of raising $150 million by 2010. The campaign met its goal in the first half of Agricultural Biotechnology Council and the Florida Agricultural Resource the seven-year fundraising plan. Dr. Martin also oversaw the establishment of a Mobilization Foundation. He is a member of the American Economic Association, the system of research clusters that revolve around five areas in which NMSU American Agricultural Economics Association, the International Association of scientists and researchers have expertise: 21st century aerospace, information Agricultural Economics, the International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium, sciences, bioscience, southwest border issues, and natural resources. the Sigma XI Scientific Research Society and the Economic History Association. Dr. Martin was a recognized leader in New Mexico, being named a powerbroker Dr. Martin and his wife Jan have two children, both adopted from South Korea. by the New Mexico Business Weekly in 2006. He continues to be active as a Amanda, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, is a graphic artist in scholar and has written numerous book chapters and articles for academic Saint Paul, Minn. Sam, with a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota journals, trade publications and the popular press. He recently has published and a master’s from Sarah Lawrence College, is a genetics counselor at Beth Israel pieces for The Chronicle of Higher Education and University Business. Named the Hospital in New York City. Outstanding Alumnus of Minnesota State University Mankato in 2006, Dr. Martin
Dydia DeLyser Faculty Athletics Representative
Dydia DeLyser, an associate professor in the Department of to the tourists who visited the town. The second was an historical Geography and Anthropology, serves in her second year as LSU’s study that examined a 19th century novel (Ramona) and how it Faculty Athletics Representative. changed the way people understood (and still understand) southern DeLyser, a native of Santa Monica, Calif., earned her bachelor’s California's past. degree in 1992 from UCLA, and her master’s and doctoral degrees Her current research concerns early women aviators and how they from Syracuse University (in 1996 and 1998). used their practices of flying to advance feminism in the post-suffrage DeLyser arrived at LSU in August 1998 as an Instructor before era. becoming an assistant professor one year later. She was promoted to DeLyser teaches graduate courses in cultural geography, associate professor with tenure in August 2005. qualitative research, and academic and professional writing. She has DeLyser is a cultural-historical geographer. Her research has been also taught undergraduate courses in cultural, and urban geography, both ethnographic and historical, and most of it questions how and an introductory world-regional geography course. different built landscapes can help make the past meaningful in the DeLyser is a first-generation American -- her parents were Dutch present. immigrants and English is her second language. She also has Much of her published research has focused on two different language abilities in Russian and Spanish. studies. One was a many-year ethnographic study of a ghost town in DeLyser’s hobbies include driving/riding antique cars and California (Bodie State Historic Park) where she examined how motorcycles. She is also a licensed pilot and co-owns a Citabria, images and ideas about the American mythic West became meaningful which is a two-place aerobatic airplane.
2009 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 27 LSU Director of Athletics
THIS IS LSU
TIGERS Joe Alleva COACHES LSU Director of Athletics REVIEW HISTORY Joe Alleva officially became the Director of Athletics at RECORDS LSU on July 1, 2008, after spending the last ten years MEDIA in the same position at the prestigious Duke University. Under Alleva’s direction, the Duke athletic department experienced unprecedented growth and success.
“Joe Alleva brings a wealth of experience and accomplishment to LSU,” Fundraising under Alleva’s guidance reached extensive heights during his said President John Lombardi. “I’m confident we’ve found a new leader for LSU career at Duke. Alleva and his fundraising team generated more than $173 athletics who exemplifies the vision and integrity needed to lead our sports million in gifts and funded more than $85 million in new facilities or programs to new heights, a champion of student athletes who believes in the renovations. Annual giving to the Iron Dukes increased 50 percent since the highest standards of competition both on the field and in the classroom.” year 2000. At LSU, Alleva is responsible for the administration and direction of the New facilities built under Alleva’s supervision include the Michael W. Tiger athletic program, which has a current annual budget of approximately Krzyzewski Center Dedicated to Athletic and Academic Excellence, Yoh Football $70 million, includes 20 teams and more than 400 student-athletes. Center, Sheffield Tennis Center, Schwartz-Butters Athletic Center, Ambler At Duke, Alleva oversaw more than 190 staff members, a $50 million Tennis Stadium, Karcher-Ingram Golf Center, Rod Myers Teaching Center, the budget, 26 sports and over 600 Skandalaris Fieldhouse at Koskinen student-athletes. Duke athletics Stadium and the fieldhouse at Williams flourished under Alleva’s direction. Field. Facility upgrades were made to Alleva, 55, has built his Cameron Indoor Stadium, Wallace Wade professional career on service to Stadium, Jack Coombs Stadium, student-athletes and the commitment Koskinen Stadium, Williams Field, to individual development in athletics, Murray Athletic Building, and Brooks academics and community service. Field at the football practice facility. Alleva is well-respected for sustaining Alleva is active on the national high standards of excellence and collegiate athletics scene, having integrity in the athletics program, the served on the Football Bowl quality of coaches he has hired, and Certification Committee. He sat on the high level of success that was several Atlantic Coast Conference achieved across athletic programs at committees and served on the NCAA Duke under his leadership. Division I Championships/Competition Alleva’s tenure as AD at Duke Cabinet. propelled the university into the ranks Alleva majored in Finance at Lehigh of America’s top all-around collegiate University and received his bachelor’s programs. The Blue Devils consistently degree in 1975. While at Lehigh, Alleva finished high in the annual Directors’ was the quarterback of the football Cup standings, ranking as high as fifth team and team captain in 1974. Alleva in 2005. Prior to 1998-99, Alleva’s first also played on the Lehigh baseball full year as director of athletics, Duke team. He served as a graduate assistant had never placed higher than 21st in football coach and earned an MBA in the Directors’ Cup standings. Since 1976. then, Duke has enjoyed seven top 20 Alleva began his career at Duke finishes, including five in succession working for the vice president of (2004-08). business and finance in 1976 and joined In the 2006 National Collegiate Athletics Director Joe Alleva introduces new LSU men’s basketball the Duke athletic department in 1980, Scouting Association Power Rankings, coach Trent Johnson during a press conference on April 10, 2008. as director of finance. He became the that combine a school’s Directors’ Cup assistant director of athletics in 1986 finish, its athletic graduation rates and and was soon promoted in 1987 to its academic ranking in U.S. News and associate director, before his tenure as World Report, Duke was the top-ranked Division I school in the nation. Duke Director of Athletics in 1998. also finished first in this listing in 2005 and second in 2004. He played a key role in Durham’s community sports scene. He started Alleva’s outstanding list of accomplishments includes Duke winning more Little League Baseball in Durham over 20 years ago, and also began the ACC and NCAA championships than in any other 10-year period in school American Legion baseball program history. Six Duke teams won national championships under Alleva’s leadership Alleva is a member of the North Carolina American Legion Hall of Fame, and 46 Blue Devil teams recorded ACC championships, the second-highest Suffern High School Hall of Fame and the Rockland County Hall of Fame. total among ACC schools since 1997-98. Alleva and his wife, Annie, have two sons, J.D. and Jeff, along with a Under Alleva’s commitment to education, Duke’s graduation rates daughter, Jenny. J.D. played baseball at Duke and was picked in the 24th- continued to rank among the best in the nation. Duke regularly led the ACC in round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Academic Honor Roll honorees as Alleva increased the financial commitment to Royals and is now a professional scout for the Houston Astros. Jeff finished his academic support by ten-fold during his tenure as AD. baseball career at Duke in 2003 and signed a free agent contract with the While continuing to excel in competition and in the classroom, Alleva Royals following his senior season. He recently graduated with his MBA from instituted a number of innovative community service programs for Duke the prestigious Fuqua School of Business at Duke. Jenny, a four-year student-athletes to benefit the community. Duke student-athletes regularly letterwinner on Duke’s women’s soccer team, attends law school at the volunteered nearly 3,000 hours in community outreach. University of North Carolina.
28 2009-2010 LSU GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE