225 Magazine [August 2026] by Baton Rouge Business Report

21 NOV. 28

Tigers

LOUISIANA TECH

OLE MISS

At Vaught–Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS

TEXAS A&M Tiger Stadium

MCNEESE Tiger Stadium

KENTUCKY

At Kroger Field, Lexington, KY

MISSISSIPPI STATE (HOMECOMING) Tiger Stadium

AUBURN

At Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL BYE WEEK

ALABAMA

TEXAS

TENNESSEE At Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

ARKANSAS

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR

The Clinic merges with Internal Medicine Associates and creates a satellite office at 5304 Flanders Drive.

The Baton Rouge Clinic celebrates 50 years and 60 doctors!

In September, The Clinic merges with The Pediatric Group, creating a second satellite office at 8304 O’Hara Court.

In September, the Flanders Doctor satellite office moves to 8595 Picardy Drive.

The Clinic Merges with Hill & Tribou Pediatric Group on Picardy, creating a fourth satellite office.

The Baton Rouge Clinic is chosen one of the “16 Better Preforming Medical Practices” in the country by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). The Clinic is still considered a Better performing Medical Practice by MGMA today.

Mid-City Office and Hospital Medicine Group (HMG) join The Baton Rouge Clinic.

The Baton Rouge Clinic celebrates 75 years!

The Baton Rouge Clinic is recognized as the “Benchmark for the State” in ambulatory care by the Louisiana Healthcare Review, a quality improvement organization that monitors care to Medicare patients. This honor was bestowed on The Clinic for surpassing state and national immunization averages for influenza and pneumonia and for the number of mammograms and diabetes screenings for the elderly.

The Baton Rouge Clinic moves into its current building on seven acres at 7373 Perkins Road, occupying the first two floors.

Dr. Richard Lieux opened Louisiana’s first accredited echocardiogram lab at The Baton Rouge Clinic. The lab has maintained its national accreditation, with reviews every three years.

In June, the third and fourth floors of the Perkins Road office are completed and all satellite offices moved to the current Perkins Road location.

Edgar Silvey is named National administrator of the Year by The American College of Medical Practice Executives.

World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

The Baton Rouge Clinic joins the Mayo Clinic Care Network, working with Mayo Clinic to share medical knowledge and clinical expertise.

The Family Clinic of Opelousas joins The Baton Rouge Clinic.

The Baton Rouge Clinic in Prairieville opens.

The Baton Rouge Clinic is recognized as a top 10 best company in Louisiana to work for according to Zippia—a website that connects job seekers to the best companies to work for in their state.

Affinity Health Group in Monroe, LA joins The Baton Rouge Clinic. Urgent Care Center relocates to 7473 Perkins Road.

AWARD-WINNING FOOD. UNFORGETTABLE GATHERINGS.

For more than two decades, Chef Don Bergeron has helped Baton Rouge celebrate life’s biggest moments with exceptional food, thoughtful hospitality, and unforgettable experiences. From intimate dinners to grand celebrations, every menu is crafted with the same commitment to quality that earned Bergeron’s City Market the title of Best Caterer and Chef Don Bergeron Best Chef in the 2026 Best of 225 Awards

What’s

Home

Taste

Thrive

Keeping up with Kiffin

If you haven’t heard the name Lane Kiffin, you might be living under a rock. LSU’s new head coach has had his fair share of publicity, even before he took the lucrative—and for Ole Miss fans, slightly shady—deal to come to the Red Stick and lead the Tigers. Aside from lots of personality, Kiffin is also bringing high hopes to local football fans this season. But will he be the hero we need for another natty? Read sports writer Mark Clements' outlook on a season under Kiffin starting on pg. 38. Photo by Gus Stark/LSU Athletics. Design by Ellie Gray

• Nationally recognized for Food and Service by Food Network, Sports Illustrated, and Business Insider.

• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for multiple years.

• Voted #1 by locals 3 Years in a Row - WBR Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

• Over 17 years of community support, donating thousands annually to local schools and charities.

• Among the highest-rated restaurants in the Baton Rouge area on Google.

• Baton Rouge Area’s #1 Industrial Caterer with Decades of Experience in High-Volume Catering, Logistics, and Planning

Grass roots

AS ATHLETES AT the top of their game step through one of the most hallowed passageways in all of sport, a profound message positioned directly above the entrance fills them with inspiration.

Nearly 5,000 miles away, on another continent with another venerated sporting tradition, another iconic corridor has its own inspirational message for competitors as they step out into the sunlight.

The first is at Wimbledon, where generation after generation of world-class tennis players have paused to look up at Rudyard Kipling’s quote as they emerged onto Centre Court at the All England Club: “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same,” the polished metal letters read.

The second? At Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, of course, where the message at the end of the locker room tunnel is a wee bit more succinct: “WIN!”

If Wimbledon—with its ivy-covered walls, its all-white dress code and its strawberries-and-cream confections—is a bastion of sporting tradition, so too is Tiger football, which like the famed tennis tournament held its first games in the late 1800s. And the WIN! bar, which was originally part of an H-shaped goalpost dating back to 1955, is far from the only historical heirloom for the Tiger faithful. The marching band was

formed alongside the football team in 1893, and the purple and gold palette was born that year, too.

But tradition will only get you so far. At one LSU football game last season, I stared into the sun as sweat dripped down my back and cheered as the Tigers scored a touchdown while the heat index climbed to over 100 degrees. Around me, children

were crying. In the shade of the concourse where I retreated for a bottle of water, fainting victims were sprawled around as if on the edge of a battlefield.

Despite the grueling conditions, no one dared leave. They hydrated and they got back out there. After all, the magic in these moments comes not just in the traditions of the past, but in anticipation of the future. No matter what glory days the last 130-plus-years have held, everyone wants to be there when the next big play happens, when the unforgettable catch or the long field goal kick clinches the game for the home team.

Actually, that’s not so different from the manicured grass of Wimbledon, either. Even the queen of England, perched in the Royal Box, was spotted holding a batterypowered fan as she cheered politely during one of this year’s matches. And I can’t be sure, but I may have caught a glimpse of Prince William doing the wave.

Kelli Bozeman Editor-in-Chief

We’ve got spirit

Yes we do, and we’re proving it this month—not just with our cover story on new LSU football coach Lane Kiffin but also with our special publication Tiger Pride, which is tucked within this very issue. This annual edition, which is also delivered direct to subscribers of the Baton Rouge Business Report, is packed with everything you need to follow the team this fall—from player profiles to tailgating tips to fun facts on the Golden Band from Tigerland. Let’s geaux!

JORDAN HEFLER

Bella’s Ball

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

SIX-THIRTY in the EVENING

L’AUBERGE

CASINO HOTEL in BATON ROUGE

Publisher: Julio Melara

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief: Kelli Bozeman

Managing Editor: Olivia Deffes

Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson

Digital Staff Writer: Catherine Clement

Digital Content Strategist: John McElwain

Staff Photographer: Collin Richie

Contributing Writers:

Ava Borskey, Sadie Bozeman, Mark Clements, Tracey Koch, Jennifer Tormo Alvarez

Contributing Photographers: Cat Graves, Jordan Hefler, Amy Shutt

ADVERTISING

Vice President, Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert

Sales Director: André Hellickson Savoie

Multimedia Marketing Consultants:

Abbie Bayham, Jamie Hernandez, Grace Robinson, Ella Shipp, Annabelle Slusher

Digital Operations Manager: Devyn MacDonald

Content Creator: Londyn White

Digital Operations Coordinator: Addison Champagne

Data Analyst: Sydney DeVille

Content Strategist: Emily Hebert

STUDIO E

Director and Corporate Communications Strategist: Mark Lorando

Special Projects Editor: Lisa Tramontana

Content Strategist: Emily Hebert

Multimedia Producer: Jordan Ponzio

Video Producer: Taylor Stoma

ADMINISTRATION

Chief Technology Officer: James Hume

Marketing Director: Ashleigh Ward

Business Operations Manager: Kirsten Milano

Business Associate: Sarah Kleinpeter

Receptionist: Cathy Varnado Brown

CREATIVE SERVICES

Creative Services Manager: Ellie Gray

Art Director: Hoa Vu

Senior Graphic Designers: Melinda Gonzalez Galjour, Sidney Rosso

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A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC

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Circulation/Reprints

225.928.1700 • email: circulation@225batonrouge.com 9029 Jefferson Highway, Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-214-5225 • FAX 225-926-1329 • 225batonrouge.com

To our incredible clients,

We are honored to be nominated as Baton Rouge’s Best Nail Salon, and it is all because of YOU. Every appointment, every kind word, every time you chose to sit in our chairs it means the world to us.

What started as a dream has grown into something so much bigger, and that is because of this community. You have trusted us with your time, your hands, and your confidence, and we do not take that lightly.

Thank you for being the heart behind Sweetheart Nails. We are so grateful.

Mandy & Randy Truong Sweetheart Nails Family

Readers’ notes

Re: Our feature on local singer Justin Garner and his recent ad campaign with McDonald’s “Only up from here, brother! ” —@bjstixx

“So deserving of all of this and more ” —@thefoundationent

Re: Our profile on Whole Heart Health founder Whitney Andrus, who stocks community pantries with DIY meal kits

“This is so awesome, Whit. You’re so incredible.” —@heyhopecouvillion

“More of this! Yes, please!”

—Painting and Pinot on Facebook

Comments and analytics are from June 1-30, 2026. They have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

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You’re free to live your life out loud! Because you’ve got the compassion of the cross, the security of the shield, and the comfort of Blue behind you.

What ,s up August

GAME changers

Chris Turner (standing) coaches a group of student gamers at Southern’s Esports Digital Gaming Ecosystem (EDGE) lab

Southern clicks its way to glory with an esports national championship

BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE

EARLIER THIS YEAR, as the Southern University Jaguars football team hit the gridiron for spring practice, the school’s esports team was deep in the throes of another kind of competition. Led by sophomore computer science major Coby Robinson, the team maneuvered its way through a best-of-five game series to win the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division II EA Sports College Football National Championship in April, a first for a historically Black college or university.

Yes, this competition is centered around video games. And while older generations might scoff, digital natives see them as fundamental to the college experience as mainstream sports, says Chris Turner, founding director of Southern’s Esports Digital Gaming Ecosystem, or EDGE.

“We do tryouts, just like any other sport,” says Turner. “We’re coming up with plays, studying playbooks and trying to find videos

on our opponents so we can analyze their games.”

Southern is one of hundreds of universities across the country that have added esports to either athletics, student life activities or even the academic curriculum itself. According to the National

Association of Collegiate Esports, an accrediting body, the field is one of the fastest-growing college sports out there, with more than 300 funded, staffed programs across North America since 2016.

Turner created Louisiana’s first dedicated esports and media lab at the Southern University Laboratory School in 2021. Since then, he has helped formalize a collegiate-level program at the university.

In 2022, he worked with the administration to raise a halfmillion dollars in private donations and unrestricted federal COVID funds to create the EDGE lab. The program is part of the College of Sciences and Engineering but is situated in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union to make it more accessible to students. Turner is still working on dedicated funding for the program.

The 2025-2026 school year was the first time Southern’s esports teams had the benefit of a full season of sanctioned, national competition, Turner says.

The games they play, including Madden NFL, MLB: The Show, FIFA and others, seem straight out of an American den. But Turner and his counterparts nationwide see an educational upside. They cite academic studies suggesting that gaming hones many skills employers want, including quick decision-making, spatial recognition, critical thinking and adaptability.

“The Army is even recruiting gamers to fly drones,” Turner says.

The national championship has helped bring attention to the EDGE lab, but Turner says he has a bigger vision that includes helping Southern graduates enter the video gaming industry. African Americans currently occupy about 5% of that field’s jobs, despite them being robust gaming consumers, he says.

“There are a lot of possible partnerships across the curriculum, including game development,” Turner says. “That is my dream when all this is said and done.”

Southern University student Coby Robinson, known as "K1ngC0by," accepts an award for the EDGE team’s historic win in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division II EA Sports College Football National Championship in April.

WHAT’S NEW

Lots to taco bout

Compiled by Catherine Clement

NOLA-BORN eatery Vals has taken over the former Rock Paper Taco spot, washing the space in the brand’s signature blush pink. Settling into a city that seems to be dominated by Tex-Mex options, partner Turk Dietrich promises that Vals is more than that. “[Vals] has a lot more traditional Mexican dishes, be it from Tijuana or from Mexico City,” he says. “Our chef, who created everything, spent about a year in Mexico learning the food, the culture, the whole thing.” Both menu-wise and style-wise, he feels that Vals brings something fresh to Baton Rouge. The food and drink menus are identical to its New Orleans counterpart. Standouts include elotes, a shrimp quesadilla, and vegetarian tacos such as sweet potato and cauliflower. The drink menu includes classics like margaritas prepared with freshly squeezed juices. The eatery’s vibe is set with funky art, tropical plant murals, tropical plants and upbeat music. Find it on Instagram.

What else is new?

The daily grind

The latest sign of Greater Baton Rouge’s caffeine fixation is Café Verdino, a coffee concept now open in a shopping center at the corner of Jones Creek and Tiger Bend roads. Owner Ege Oral says he noticed a coffee house void in the immediate area and wanted to open a spot that featured hot and cold espresso drinks and teas, along with breakfast and lunch. cafeverdino.com

Takes the cake

Cheesecake business Creamy Dips owner Dasmin Felton sought to offer something that didn’t exist in the Capitol Area: a trailer dedicated to cheesecakes. Parked outside Calloway’s Health & Fitness at 13436 Jefferson Hwy., Creamy Dips rotates its menu each week with fan favorites like Cookie Butter, Strawberry and Red Velvet Oreo. Find it on Facebook.

Secret sips

Baton Rouge can get its thirst quenched in style, thanks to a new speakeasy inside of Government Street antiques shop Circa 1857. Inspired by the secretive culture of the Prohibition-era, Hearsay is open for those wanting to pop in to shop for antiques and stay for a drink. Find it on Facebook.

Around 225

Peak performance

BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

LSU’s Campus Mounds to begin first phase of preservation plan

DENNIS MITCHELL is one of countless LSU alumni who considered ascending the university’s Campus Mounds a student ritual.

“I had a feeling then that it was my right to be able to go to the top of the mounds,” he says. “It was part of what I was supposed to do. It was human nature to want to do that.”

Mitchell has a lot of company. But today, he has a sharply different perspective.

As LSU’s landscape architect,

he’s part of a committee that has been working to preserve and protect the ancient manmade structures since 2020.

It’s an overdue effort, many say, but it has finally gained traction. A first phase of work intended to arrest erosion on the mounds starts this year, funded jointly by LSU and the National Parks System’s Save America’s Treasures program.

The Committee to Preserve the LSU Campus Mounds intends to raise additional

money for future phases. Those include installing interpretive displays, replacing current fencing with something more visually appealing and adding new landscape features that create a richer visitor experience, Mitchell says.

Considered a Middle Archaic site whose purpose isn’t fully understood, the Campus Mounds are unusual in their accessibility, says committee member and advisory archeologist Nancy Hawkins.

“There are very few Middle Archaic mound sites in the entire United States, and most are on private land in remote areas, often obscured

by dense vegetation,” Hawkins says. “The Campus Mounds are extraordinary because they are in a city on public land.” Hawkins says they are also among Louisiana’s oldest. “There are only about a dozen mounds this old out of about 800 in the state,” she adds. Just how old is the subject of ongoing, conflicting research.

In 2022, papers authored by two different groups of LSU scientists offered alternate interpretations of when the mounds were built. Retired Louisiana State Archeologist Chip McGimsey and Heather McKillop, the Thomas & Lillian Landrum Alumni Professor in

Committee to Preserve the LSU Campus Mounds members Dennis Mitchell, Nancy Hawkins and Kory Konsoer stand at the base of one of LSU's landmarks, the Campus Mounds.

the Department of Geography and Anthropology, co-authored a paper that determined the mounds are between 5,000 and 7,000 years old.

In another study, LSU Department of Geology and Geophysics professor emeritus Brooks Elwood suggested the mounds are 11,000 years old and one of the oldest existing structures in North America.

And in 2024, another research team led by LSU alumna Liz Chamberlain deployed optically stimulated luminescence to determine the age of the mounds. Those results are forthcoming and should offer conclusive data, Hawkins says.

as commonplace as wearing purple and gold.

Until 2022, moves to restrict access have been limited. The first stemmed from a tragedy in 1984 when an intoxicated motorist drove over the mounds late at night, striking LSU student and Thibodaux native Elizabeth Courtenay Smoak, who died hours later from her injuries. In 1985, concrete posts were installed around the mounds to deter such behavior.

Foot traffic, however, would continue unabated for decades.

Maybe it was the dearth of hills in largely flat south Louisiana, or the appeal of lounging on a natural incline, but the mounds continued to beckon—especially during LSU home games.

Efforts to deter pedestrian traffic during tailgating began in 2010 and were formalized in 2018 with temporary fencing and signage.

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But while historically significant, the mounds have also been an inadvertent touchstone of student life for decades. Ironically, what has been considered most “sacred” about them hasn’t been their ancient purpose, but their unwitting role as a student rite of passage. Scaling them, reclining with a book or sliding down them on a scrap of cardboard have been

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“We tried everything you can imagine to keep people off the mounds during gameday,” Mitchell

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into Game Day with Geisha

says. “But they used the signs to slide down it. With the fencing, we watched parents pick up their kids and set them over it, so they could run around.”

But it was a freeze in the winter of 2021 that triggered demands to protect the mounds. An accumulation of snow and ice over a weekend drew sledders. One student even careened down the mounds in a kayak, according to The Reveille.

“There was a lot of damage on the surface and an outcry that we needed to protect the mounds,” Mitchell says.

A new, 6-foot black chain link fence was erected later that year. The preservation committee, formed in 2020, ramped up its efforts to source funding for restoration.

The first phase of work, supported by $442,000 from the National Park Service and LSU, will regrade the mounds and plant a fresh layer of drought-tolerant zoysia grass. Phase One will also install an irrigation system to keep

the grass healthy.

“There are a lot of slumping areas that will be covered with improved soil and clay, and it will be revegetated with a more uniform grass that will do a better job of holding the soil and clay in place,” says committee chair and associate professor of geography and anthropology Kory Konsoer.

On a recent summer afternoon, a battery-operated robotic mower gently trimmed the patchy grass on the mounds’ surface. It’s a low-impact way to keep it from getting too high and going to seed. Work should begin this year on the restoration project, which will be completed within a few months, Mitchell says.

There’s still much work to be done in transforming the Campus Mounds to a protected site, but organizers say they’re encouraged.

“The fact that you’re seeing something that was built that long ago is just amazing,” Mitchell says. “I feel like we finally have some synergy.”

hidden gems HILL’S

From centuries-old manuscripts to relics of Louisiana history, discover what makes LSU’s Hill Memorial Library unique

BY OLIVIA DEFFES

Dedicated 100 years ago in 1926, the current Hill Memorial Library building was designed by architect Theodore Link, who also designed the layout of the nearby Quad. With its Roman arches and high-ceilinged reading rooms, the building was loosely inspired by the Boston Public Library.

ON A SUNNY day in June, LSU is pretty much desolate.

Students are long gone, enjoying break, besides a few summer session takers. But in the heart of campus, one spot is particularly active.

LSU’s Hill Memorial Library is alive with a packed reading room where researchers, students, and professors from other universities are poring through archival scrapbooks, manuscripts and microfilm.

“Summer actually happens to be our busy time of the year,” university archivist Zach Tompkins says. “About 50% of the patrons who come and visit us, in a research capacity, are not affiliated with LSU at all. There are a lot of Ph.D. students and research faculty from other universities. We even get visitors from all over the world.”

The university’s original main library, Hill is home to its Special Collections, a bursting assortment of materials ranging from university archives and rare books to parish newspapers and items that document the history of Louisiana and the Lower Mississippi Valley.

With more than 10 million manuscript items, over 200,000 volumes of published works,

hundreds of oral histories and other forms of research materials, there’s plenty to explore. But don’t call it a museum. Here you won’t find items held behind glass for viewing, save for a few interesting displays curated by staff. Unlike a museum, the library encourages touching, feeling and immersing oneself in the materials.

Behind the massive—and still growing—collection is a group of employees who are just as inquisitive and interested in its materials as those visitors who are nose deep in research on the reading room floor.

“One of the cool things about Hill is that everybody comes from a much different kind of background,” Tompkins says. “We’re a large staff, so not everybody came to us through a tried-and-true library path. We have creative writers. We’ve got archaeologists and anthropologists. You can lean into the strengths from those disciplines in various aspects of this work, and I think we’re a better institution because of that.”

To keep up a collection as massive as the one kept at Hill, it takes a lot to acquire, process, digitize, repair and maintain items. Things don’t just enter collections, get

filed on shelves and await the next scholar who requests it from the stacks. Instead, items visit a slew of departments at the library.

Once acquired, pieces go through archival processing so the collections can take ownership of them. Items are arranged, described and cataloged and get a finding aid to be research ready.

Another stop is the Conservation Lab, where staff determine what tweaks are needed to ensure longevity in the stacks. Everything from repairs to building specially made enclosures to house materials takes place in this lab, headed by conservation coordinator Caroline Ziegler, who says she has worked on items of all sizes, from a miniature book to a massive six-panel map.

“A lot of archives don’t have this functionality or this kind of a space,” Tompkins says. “We’re poised really well to take older, fragile things.”

Just around the corner from the conservation efforts is the Digitization Lab, a dark room where newspapers, manuscripts and other documents go to be turned into files that are more accessible. Those digital assets are monitored to maintain, preserve

and protect them. The lab also digitizes newspapers from all of Louisiana’s parishes; tables here are covered with paper copies and clothing irons ready to smooth out creases.

“LSU Libraries has a mandate from the state to preserve the newspaper record for each parish, which we’ve been doing since the ’30s,” head of digital programs and services Elisa Naquin says.

But this section of Hill isn’t exclusively dedicated to items in the Special Collections–it also manages the Louisiana Digital Library, which holds over 400,000 digital items collected from 32 contributors including universities, libraries, museums and foundations. LSU Libraries is the largest contributor of collections for the LDL, and it provides the software for any institution in the state to use the LDL for free.

Hill Memorial Library welcomes the public with events like Audubon Day, where attendees can view the double elephant folios of John James Audubon’s Birds of America.

This student-focused room on the second floor provides a silent space for those who need to focus on assignments and lock in on studying.

So where does Hill’s physical collection reside? Most is kept safe behind two locked doors, neatly stored in temperature-controlled stacks. Dimly lit because light damages paper over time and protected by a halon system instead of sprinklers in the case of fire, these sprawling shelves hold everything from disks of movies and TV shows that document Louisiana and vintage Gumbo Yearbooks to genealogical resources and even old copies of 225 Magazine. And when the university is closed due to weather or holidays, staff members still come to campus to take a peek into the stacks and ensure that everything is shipshape. And there is always more to add to these already packed stacks. Items are either given to the Special Collections by previous owners or donated funds are used to purchase materials, says curator of books

and head of instruction John Miles. Other resources for acquiring new items include an established fund and occasional grants.

“We collect in specific areas,” Miles adds. “And the tension is always between kind of shoring up our strengths and expanding our scope.”

There are also treasures that can’t be housed on shelves. Hill is home to the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, which supplies researchers with audio interviews and transcriptions that aim to fill the gaps of other primary sources in the collection.

“Our mission is to document and preserve first-person narratives about Louisiana culture and history that are found in people’s heads and no place else,” Jennifer Abraham Cramer, the center’s director, says. “Anybody who’s got a Louisiana story to tell, we are

very into making sure that those stories are preserved.”

With its wide variety of topics and media, it’s hard to believe that the Special Collections were once exclusively for professional researchers, but associate dean for Special Collections and technology

Gina Costello says it’s true. Now, Hill and its holdings are more accessible to all. Scholars, curious walk-ins and students looking for a place to study are all invited to come in and inquire about materials.

“When people walk in and say ‘What’s here for me?’ we want to have an answer, like ‘Yeah, we’ve got a place you can study. We have a place you can do research. We have events. We have an exhibit you can look at,’” associate dean for Special Collections and technology Gina Costello says.

As Hill is perched in a prominent spot on campus, it only makes

sense that many of its resources are utilized by the student body. One slightly newer element of this century-old building is its Quiet Study room, an area reintroduced to students in 2023. Library employees say students take the “quiet” very seriously, sometimes even shushing staffers whose chatter cuts into their noise-free time.

“This building in particular was modeled after the Boston Public Library, which was the first public library of its kind,” Tompkins says. “So it’s meant to evoke all of that sort of sense of academia and intellectualism. Some students find it intimidating, but others say that [the Quiet Study] is an inspiring space.”

Across from this study space is another area that sees a lot of students: the McIlhenny Room. Here, classes visit to see a curated selection of items from the Special

Collections that pertain to the material they are learning in their courses. Each semester, professors reach out to Hill with visit requests, and the library’s team pull small lots of items for oncampus field trips with a handson learning experience.

“Most of our teaching is in this space,” Miles says. “We did [about] 170 classes last year, so around 100 in the fall, and usually 70 in the spring—about 3,000-ish students.”

Over the years, LSU’s Hill Memorial Library has lived many lives and expanded its collections, creating a spot in Baton Rouge where researchers flock. It has served as the campus’s main library. It held architecture classes during a time when it wasn’t part of the library system. It has undergone massive renovations. And it has even served as a backdrop for scenes in the movie Pitch Perfect

As Costello explains, “We’re all really invested in just sharing this with as wide an audience as possible.”

LSU's Special Collections holds a wide variety of items like this hand-colored map by Harold Fisk of the Alluvial Valley of the Mississippi River (left). Though not a museum, Hill features curated displays of interesting pieces (above). An LSU-themed exhibition is slated for this year's Homecoming.

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A+ attractions

From art to taxidermy, these LSU museums hold rare treasures

BY OLIVIA DEFFES

LOUISIANA’S FLAGSHIP university educates more people than the students enrolled in its courses, thanks to its web of museums. Covering a variety of interests, these spots not only enhance the university’s research but welcome the public with eye-catching displays and immersive programming. Next time you’re in town for an LSU game, check out these five museums located both on and off campus.

LSU Museum of Natural Science

On campus

LSU Textile and Costume Museum

330 Tower Dr.

Part of the LSU Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, this museum boasts over 10,000 pieces, ranging from vintage designer items to hand-woven textiles. Its staff preserves, collects and researches items, while supporting academic programs and creating exhibitions for the public. Now on display is “Stitches in Time: Quilts & Fashion,” showcasing the connection between quilt making and style. Open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. lsu.edu/agriculture/textilemuseum

LSU Museum of Natural Science

119 Foster Hall

Ever wanted to see a polar bear up close? Or the first Mike the Tiger? At LSU’s Museum of Natural Science, you can. Find almost 2.5 million specimens and dioramas that transport visitors to different habitats. Other displays, like the extensive George H. Lowery Hall of Birds, feature native species. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. lsu.edu/mns

William A. Brookshire LSU Military Museum

Inside LSU’s Memorial Tower

Did you know there is a museum inside the campus’ bell tower? Opened in 2022, the William A. Brookshire LSU Military Museum

provides a glimpse into the university’s ties to the military. Find artifacts and memorabilia that help paint a picture of LSU’s ROTC, alumni involvement in major conflicts, and Cadets of the Ole War Skule. Open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. lsu.edu/brookshire-museum

Off campus

LSU Museum of Art

100 Lafayette St., Fifth floor

Located inside the Shaw Center for the Arts, LSUMOA displays paintings, sculptures, photography and other works of art. With exhibitions, including traveling collections, and programming, the museum serves thousands of visitors annually. View permanent collections and current exhibitions like “ReVision: Women in Photography” on your next visit. lsumoa.org

LSU Rural Life Museum

4560 Essen Ln.

Step back in time at this hidden gem off Essen Lane by taking in its exhibits and peeking into its historical structures. Focusing on the rich cultures of 18th- and 19th-century rural Louisianans, this museum provides tours, general admission and events with hands-on activities that take visitors into the past. lsu.edu/rurallife

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Nearly 130k votes were cast to decide the 2026 Best of 255 Awards. To celebrate the winners, 225 Magazine threw the Best of 225 Awards Party on June 25 at Court to Table! Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and runners-up, and thank you to the 225 fans who joined us to party with the best. Attendees enjoyed food and cocktails prepared by Court to Table. Dizzy! played a variety of hits as guests flipped through the pages of 225 Magazine’s hottest issue of the year to discover the 2026 Best of 225 winners. Thank you again to everyone who celebrated the Best of 225 issue! To stay up to date with 225 events, announcements and more, subscribe to 225 Daily at 225batonrouge.com.

It’s a bird, It’s a plane,

It’s the…

LANE TRAIN

by mark clements

Will KIFFIN be the sideline superhero that Tiger fans are counting on?

If you’ve listened to any of Lane Kiffin’s press conferences this offseason, you’ve heard him say the phrase dozens of times.

“Just different.”

It’s an expression that’s become a trending social media hashtag around campus and something of a mantra for Kiffin since his arrival at LSU.

It also summarizes one of the main reasons the Tigers were able to lure the coveted coach to Baton Rouge in the first place-LSU is just different.

"'JUST DIFFERENT’ really entails a lot,” Kiffin said in a press conference earlier this summer. “It means Louisiana, and the mindset of people here. I really enjoy Louisiana parents and how they think and what they put into their kids. And their kids want to work the same way. It’s a different mindset. On top of that, the expectations, the great players that played here, the stadium—all of that is just different than other programs.”

While being “just different” is what drew Kiffin to LSU, in a lot of ways, the Tigers’ new coach represents a return to what many LSU fans feel is its core football identity— style, swagger and, most of all, success.

And not style in the fashion sense—although the players’ pregame walk down Victory Hill says otherwise—but more so in the way you play.

Having lived through decades of stagnant offenses before witnessing the high-powered barrage of Heisman Trophy winners Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, Tiger fans are always hungry for more points.

With the flashy offenses comes the swagger. And when the offense is clicking, Death Valley comes alive and the magic of Tiger Stadium becomes unavoidable.

And that’s exactly what Kiffin brings.

His track record speaks for itself. Every year he’s held a head coaching or offensive coordinator role at the college level, his offense has landed in the top 50 nationally, with a single near-miss in 2013, finishing No. 51 with USC. Seven times in the last 12 years, his offense has finished inside the top 20.

“He views [offense] very creatively,” LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt tells 225. “I think people don’t really take into account how detail-oriented the coaching staff is. The situation for me is incredible. I’m bouncing ideas off them in meetings, asking questions. A lot of people don’t look at the game the same way, and I think we do. They do an incredible job with all the little intricacies of how to manipulate different defenses. It’s really hard to teach that, and the fact that they’re able to do it and I’m able to bounce ideas off of them [is great].”

With the flashy offenses comes the swagger.

And when the offense is clicking, Death Valley comes alive and the magic of Tiger Stadium becomes unavoidable. It’s another piece to the “just different” mindset, and it’s the mentality Kiffin is trying to instill in his team with

”With a coach like Coach Kiff that gives you 100% and is real with the players, the players are going to give 110% back.”

—LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green

another simple phrase, “Spot the ball.” Anyone. Anytime. Anywhere. Just spot the ball and let’s play.

“From a head coach standpoint, his mentality is just so different,” LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green tells 225. “Spot the ball. We don’t care who you are or who’s in front of you, he treats everybody the same way. Spot the ball. I love his mentality. Coach Frank Wilson had that mentality … but besides him, we’ve been missing that at LSU since I’ve been here. And man, he’s here, and you feel the energy. With a coach like Coach Kiff that gives you 100% and is real with the players, the players are going to give 110% back because we’re going to fight for our coach. We want to play for that guy, so we do 120% for him.”

Green’s comments help summarize part of the reason Kiffin has seen so much success in his coaching career.

Despite starting his career at a young age, winning has followed the longtime coach at nearly every stop in his career. His unique playstyle and unabashed swagger have resulted in a 116-53 college head coaching record, as well as three national titles as an assistant coach.

Kiffin’s wide-ranging experience that dates back to 1997 has also adequately prepared him for the mammoth that is the LSU football program.

“He’s matured in the business as a coach,” LSU vice president and director of athletics Verge Ausberry tells 225 “We always knew he had one of the best minds of football. But I always tell people that being a head coach is not just X’s and O’s—it’s running the whole program. This is one of the biggest brands and one of the biggest football programs in the country by far. And to handle this program, you have to have not only the right mindset but the right people you put around you also. There are so many facets that go into making LSU football what it is, and [the head coach] has to have total control of it. You have to know what you want. You have to be demanding. At the same time, you have to have some direction on where you want to take a program like this.”

By all accounts, it seems Kiffin has been slowly finetuning his program vision over the years.

Most recently, he guided Ole Miss to double-digit wins four times in six years, including a program-best 11-1 regular season record last year. For reference, Ole Miss had just two 10-win seasons since 1972 prior to Kiffin’s arrival.

His message is being well-received by players too, it seems. Despite this offseason’s coaching change, which historically leads to poorer recruiting classes, LSU still managed to finish with the best transfer portal class in the country as well as the No. 12 high school recruiting class. The Tigers are off to a hot start in next year’s recruiting, too, with 16 commits already on board.

Kiffin said in a summer press conference. “If you want to get a check and be pretty good, it’s not going to work. You’re not going to like it. Being the best player that you can be the entire year—if that isn’t your No. 1 focus outside of everything else, it’s not going to be a great experience.”

innovative mind, might just be a match made in heaven.

Kiffin has made it clear that he’s here for one reason and one reason only: to win a national championship.

Kiffin has made it clear that he’s here for one reason and one reason only: to win a national championship. He’s won them as an assistant, and he’s come close as a head coach.

“We teach the recruits that if you’re going to come here with the way we do it here, it’s going to be really different,”

But something about LSU is just different. And its inherent magic, coupled with Kiffin’s now more mature,

“We’re going to compete for championships, and that’s why he came to LSU,” Ausberry says. “It wasn’t the money. The money was the same at all the schools that came after him this year. He knew that here he could compete and win championships, and that’s the reason he came to LSU. He knew that this was the best job in America, and he wanted to be here. He watched what has happened here in the past and how many national championships we’ve won and how many played in SEC championships and what this program really is. When you look at all the great players playing in the NFL right from Louisiana, you don’t have to go far. He knew that he could accomplish what he wanted to accomplish and win a national championship here at LSU.”

Rebels in the Rouge

By Mark Clements

IT’S SAFE TO say the LSU football program’s makeover this offseason is the one of the most drastic in school history. On top of the slew of coaching changes that come with a head coach regime change, the current state of the transfer portal allows players to switch schools easier than ever. It’ll be a newlook LSU basically from top to bottom, but there will be plenty of familiar faces for Lane Kiffin. Get to know the 10 coaches and 4 players who followed the Tiger’s new coach from Ole Miss to LSU this year:

COACHES

Charlie Weis Jr., offensive coordinator

Weis has been with Kiffin at Alabama, Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss. He will likely call plays for LSU this fall.

Joe Cox, co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Cox helped devise one of the nation's best offenses last season. At LSU, he’ll have plenty of weapons to work with.

Kevin Smith, assistant head coach/running backs coach Smith played pro for six years and has been Kiffin’s running backs coach all but one year since 2017.

Dane Stevens, quarterbacks coach

Stevens was an analyst and passing game specialist for an Ole Miss offense that racked up nearly 38 points per game.

George McDonald, passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach McDonald comes with a wealth of experience playing or working under well-respected college coaches.

James Cregg, run game specialist/offensive line coach

This name might ring a bell. Cregg previously served as LSU’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

Sawyer Jordan, inside wide receivers coach

Jordan has been working his way up the coaching ranks since starting as a student assistant at Clemson in 2013.

Chris Kiffin, co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach

Lane’s brother has two decades of college and pro coaching experience. He’ll have a much larger role this season.

Lou Spanos, assistant defensive line/pass rush specialist Spanos brings nearly 20 years of NFL coaching experience with the Steelers, Redskins and Titans.

Nick Savage, head strength and conditioning coach

Savage has worked with Kiffin since 2022 and has prior SEC experience at Florida and Mississippi State.

players

Princewill Umanmielen Defensive end

TJ Dottery, linebacker Linebacker

Winston Watkins Jr. Wide receiver

Devin Harper Offensive tackle

The team behind your triumph

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WHere'sLANE?

Check out Coach Kiffin’s favorite BR spots according to his social media

by Olivia Deffes

Kiffin

runs on caffeine

With early morning posts featuring his coffee maker churning out feehouse’s Cypress Sunrise Blend it’s clear that Kiffin loves an energy boost. When he’s not making his cup of joe at home, he’s been known to frequent shops like Pura Vida Cof fee Bar, Reve Coffee Lab House Coffee

But coffee isn’t the only jolting bev that Kiffin sips. He’s also a loaded tea fan, with Rouge Nutrition Nutrition being some of his faves.

ing Cane’s float at this year’s Wearin’ of the Green parade, we bet he’s treated himself to a Box Combo or two from Baton Rouge’s resident chicken finger brand.

MOBILE ICE CREAM & DESSERT CATERING

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA HOPPE COLLABORATIVE

on the sideline StarS

by mark clements

Kim Mulkey, women’s basketball

Beyond football, LSU’s coaching roster contains plenty of familiar faces worth keeping an eye on

LANE KIFFIN’S MOVE from Ole Miss to LSU may have been one of the most high-profile coaching changes in college sports history, but it certainly wasn’t the first time the Tigers have landed a big name in Baton Rouge.

From hall of fame legends like Skip Bertman, Sue Gunter and Dale Brown to household names like Nick Saban and Ed Orgeron, LSU has consistently put itself in the national spotlight with top-tier coaches across several sports.

But never in its history has LSU boasted quite this number of decorated coaches across its athletic programs. Just about anywhere you look you’ll find national title winners, Coach of the Year honorees or longtime mainstays of their respective sports.

It’s one of the many reasons Kiffin says it’s “just different” at LSU.

It was national headline news when LSU managed to lure Mulkey away from Baylor, where she had spent the past 20 years of her career. Before she ever arrived in Baton Rouge, Mulkey was already a three-time NCAA Tournament winner, a two-time AP College Basketball Coach of the Year honoree, and a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

She’s brought those winning ways—and eccentric gameday outfits—with her to LSU, winning her fourth and the school’s first national championship in 2023. She added another Coach of the Year award to her resume as well while compiling an incredible 151-26 record in her five years with the Tigers.

Jay Johnson, baseball

While Mulkey came with a pedigree of winning national championships, Johnson had been right on the cusp multiple times before joining LSU. He brought Arizona to the College World Series twice in his six years in charge and was the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2021.

Johnson has since managed to get over the hump twice, winning the College World Series in both 2023 and 2025 with the Tigers. He was named the National Coach of the Year in both seasons and has put together a 220-105 record in five years with LSU.

Dennis Shaver, track and field

It may not steal as many headlines as the football or baseball teams, but Shaver has helped LSU’s track and field program maintain a dominant presence in his 21 years in charge. He first joined the Tigers as an assistant in 1995 before taking over both track and field and cross country in 2004. Since then, he’s compiled a lengthy list of accomplishments, producing 34 Olympians (12 medalists), 69 NCAA champion athletes winning 80 NCAA event titles, and 26 NCAA champion relay teams, among many more.

Jay Clark, gymnastics

It was always going to be tough following in the footsteps of legendary gymnastics coach D-D Breaux, but Clark has found a way to do it. She was a 33-year veteran of the sport who had accumulated 800 wins in her career.

But Clark managed to do the one thing Breaux never could at LSU—win a national championship. Since taking over for Breaux in 2020, the team has been SEC regular season champion five times, SEC championship champion five times, and won the program’s first national title in 2024.

Will Wade, men’s basketball

Wade may not have a national title under his belt yet, but his track record speaks for itself. Tiger fans embraced Wade during his first stint in Baton Rouge, when he posted a 266-119 record and brought LSU to the NCAA Tournament three times in four seasons.

He returned to coaching in 2023 and brought McNeese State to the tournament in his two seasons there. He spent one year at NC State, going 20-14 and again making the NCAA Tournament before rejoining the Tigers this offseason.

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Hardwood heroes

It’s not just LSU’s head coaches who come with lengthy resumes. New men’s basketball coach Will Wade brings with him a formidable lineup of experienced assistants as well:

Rick Stansbury, associate head coach

It’s not often that a team’s assistant coach has the amount of experience that Stansbury brings to LSU. The 66-year-old has been coaching since 1981, including a 14-year stint as Mississippi State’s head coach from 1998-2012. He was also named SEC Coach of the Year in 2004 and most recently served as Western Kentucky’s head coach for seven seasons before becoming an assistant at Memphis the previous two years.

Johnny Jones, assistant coach

Jones will be a familiar face to many LSU fans. He was the Tigers’ head coach from 2012-17, compiling a 90-72 record and most notably helping to land Ben Simmons in Baton Rouge in 2015. This will be his second stint as an LSU assistant after beginning his coaching under legendary coach Dale Brown from 1984-97.

Damon Stoudamire, assistant coach

While Stansbury and Jones bring decades of coaching experience to Wade’s staff, Stoudamire adds a 13-year playing career into the mix. The former first-round pick out of Arizona spent more than a decade in the NBA before joining the coaching ranks in 2008. He was an assistant for the Celtics for two years before most recently serving as the head coach at Georgia Tech, earning a bid to the NIT in one of his three seasons in charge.

Jay Smith, director of player development

Issue Date: Aug 2026 Ad proof #3

•

Like Jones, Smith began his coaching career back in 1984. He’s been in the college game ever since, serving as a head coach three times and an assistant coach at four different schools. Smith was also Eastern Michigan’s director of player development—the same title he’ll hold at LSU—the past two seasons after a five-year run as an assistant at Michigan.

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Whether you’re cheering on Sam Leavitt and LSU Football in Death Valley or conquering your own health goals, the same spirit that drives the Tigers drives FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake to deliver best-in-class care Louisiana trusts — for every fan, every family and every community.

As Championship Health Partners, LSU and the Lake are advancing health, sports performance, education and research to transform healthcare for Louisiana and the Gulf South.

Spirit

A11 Your tailgating handbook

A17 Labor Day weekend in Death Valley

A21 Traveling Tigers

A24 A guide to away games

A26 Golden Band from Tigerland fun facts

Outlook

A31 Matt Moscona’s season forecast

A35 Transfer portal additions

Team

A39 LSU’s offensive unit

A42 Q&A with QB Sam Leavitt

A44 Digging into the Tiger defense

A47 Meet tight end Trey’Dez Green

Style

A55 The alumni behind the LSU dance teams’ flashy fits

A60 Gameday-ready accessories

In every Tiger Pride

A6 Intro

A62 I am 225

A26

ON THE COVER

High five!

Each year for our annual edition of Tiger Pride, 225 contributing photographer Jordan Hefler sets out for Tiger Stadium to snap shots of all the action before and during the big game, like this playful close up of mascot Mike the Tiger interacting with sideline spectators.

THE TIGER TAILGATES

It just means more

THE COUNTDOWN TO kickoff is so on. Those matchups we patiently await all year are almost here—plan accordingly.

Just like most Tiger fans, the 225 team has had football on its mind since before summer. And the wait is almost over. On Sept. 5, the Bayou Bengals will battle another group of Tigers in a season opener at home against Clemson. Talk about a catfight!

Then, LSU pounces into the new season, taking on Ole Miss in Oxford, which is sure to be a tense matchup between the two rivals given LSU’s acquisition of Lane Kiffin as head coach. Besides hosting SEC teams like Alabama and Mississippi State, the Tigers will also hit the road for away games against Tennessee and Arkansas, giving fans a reason to travel.

A new coach and a slew of transfer portal additions mean fresh faces are gracing the field this season. Now that makes for a team to watch. You’re going to want to keep your eyes peeled for these field stars.

But aside from the gametime action, a new football season also promises even more to get fans hyped up for, from a lineup featuring more home games for fans to show off their tailgating cuisine to dazzling halftime performances by the Golden Band from Tigerland. Before it all starts, it’s time to study up and get gameday ready. Luckily, you have a copy of 225’s annual Tiger Pride issue in your hands. Each year for over the last

two decades, Louisiana’s flagship university has graced at least one cover of 225 Magazine, along with other print features and online coverage. This dedicated standalone edition has been part of our August print issue since 2011. So our team knows a thing or two when it comes to LSU's football team.

Just like its previous iterations, this Tiger Pride is all about the passion and pageantry of LSU football. Flip through the pages to find a handbook for home-game tailgates and fun facts about the Golden Band from Tigerland. And of course, we talk about the season’s outlook and standout game-makers with insights from sports writers like Matt Moscona and Mark Clements.

And hear from the Tigers themselves in our exclusive interviews with transfer QB Sam Leavitt and the 225 area’s own Trey’Dez Green. Because Lane Kiffin isn’t the only name that should be on lips this season.

We’re also featuring other LSU teams that make gamedays great, like the Golden Girls and Tiger Girls, and showcasing the alumni who are behind their glittering garb. If these flashy fits by Jaime Glas Odom and Suzanne Perron St. Paul have you inspired, we’ve got you covered with a curated selection of gameday-ready pieces that are sure to take any ensemble to the top, too.

Consider this your playbook. Study up. It’s geaux time. Hut! Hut! Hike!

Publisher: Julio Melara

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief: Kelli Bozeman

Managing Editor: Olivia Deffes

Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson

Digital Staff Writer: Catherine Clement

Digital Content Strategist: John McElwain

Staff Photographer: Collin Richie

Contributing Writers:

Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, Mark Clements, Matt Moscona, Ben Warren

Contributing Photographers: Jordan Hefler

ADVERTISING

Vice President, Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert

Sales Director: André Hellickson Savoie

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Content Creator: Londyn White

Digital Operations Coordinator: Addison Champagne

Data Analyst: Sydney DeVille

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STUDIO E

Director and Corporate Communications Strategist: Mark Lorando

Special Projects Editor: Lisa Tramontana

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Multimedia Producer: Jordan Ponzio

Video Producer: Taylor Stoma

ADMINISTRATION

Chief Technology Officer: James Hume

Marketing Director: Ashleigh Ward

Business Operations Manager: Kirsten Milano

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A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC

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JORDAN HEFLER

FROM OUR TIGER PRIDE SPONSORS

BUILDING TEAMS THAT WIN IN LOUISIANA, FOR THE WORLD.

The LSU Foundation is honored to have a frontrow seat to Tiger pride in action every day. Donors from around the world invest in the aspirations and potential of our students and faculty, inspired to create elite opportunities that yield life-changing results. Their trust in us, and the collective impact of their giving, creates measurable momentum. In just the past year, LSU has celebrated its largest ever graduating class, marked five consecutive years of historic growth in research expenditures, and opened the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building. Every gift advances LSU’s important, growing role as an engine for education, research, and global impact.

Geaux Tigers!

Krista Raney President & CEO

Dear Tiger Nation,

On behalf of REV Fiber and our nearly 400 local employees, we are proud to be the exclusive Official Internet Partner of LSU Athletics; deepening our commitment to the state of Louisiana and the Baton Rouge community. This sponsorship reflects more than our support for Louisiana’s flagship university – it represents our continued investment in the people, places, relationships and experiences that make this region strong. As a locally built company, REV believes in investing where we live, work, and serve. Through partnerships like this, we are helping strengthen community connections with our reliable technology, supporting local pride, and creating opportunities that bring residents, fans, businesses, and families together. We are honored to stand alongside LSU Athletics and look forward to contributing to the excitement, tradition, and potential of Louisiana.

The future is bright. The energy is real. And we’re just getting started.

Tressy Leindecker EVP of Sales and Marketing REV

At FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake, we know great things happen when people unite around a shared mission. Our Championship Health Partnership with LSU reflects exactly that. Through academics, workforce development and groundbreaking research, we’re advancing healthcare in ways that benefit LSU student-athletes, our communities and patients. This year, we celebrate the opening of the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building and the FMOL Health Learning & Laboratory Wing at the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse, powerful symbols of our shared commitment to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals and supporting LSU’s vision of becoming a Top 50 research institution. This partnership is a true point of pride for our health system. We’re honored to continue growing our partnership with LSU and are proud to work together to strengthen the future of healthcare across the Gulf South.

Non Excidet!

E.J. Kuiper President & CEO FMOL Health

For almost 80 years, we’ve had the privilege of being more than just a name on your grocery shelf—we’ve been part of your Saturdays. From tailgates before kickoff to the roar that follows a Tiger touchdown, our sausage has found its way onto grills and into gatherings where neighbors turn into friends and strangers become family. Whether we’ve been sizzling on the grill before a game day cookout, filling the plates at your tailgate spread, or bringing a taste of home to your table during a rebuilding season, you’ve made us part of your traditions. That means everything to us. Being a staple in this community isn’t something we take lightly. It’s built on trust, shared memories, and the same purple and gold pride that fills this town every fall. Thank you for letting us be part of your story—game after game, year after year.

GEAUX TIGERS!

From left to right:

Bobby Yarborough

Tommy Yarborough

Steve Yarborough

ORIGINSpirit

HOME Good to be

LSU fans have more chances this season to tailgate

BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON // PHOTOS BY JORDAN HEFLER

IT’S A LINEUP that seems custom made for tailgaters. A generous helping of home games—seven this year—means the Tiger Nation has more chances to roll out its special brand of pageantry, starting with a season opener in Death Valley for the first time since 2020. Armed with a provocative new head coach and a need for redemption, LSU has three home games in September, followed by high-octane meetings in October and November in Baton Rouge.

Veteran tailgaters are approaching this season with their usual planning, pacing and keen awareness of crowd size and weather, says Zach Rau, whose DVA Tailgating group has set up near the LSU Campus Mounds since 2012.

“This season is pretty front loaded,” Rau says. “The Clemson game is going to create a huge atmosphere with [College] GameDay in town, and the heat is going to be something to really keep in mind.”

Rau says his September menus will feature classic dishes that aren’t too heavy, like jambalaya and pastalaya, along with plenty of water and electrolyte mix.

Three September home games will feel like an endurance test, but this year’s schedule offers convenient “peaks and valleys,” Rau says. Big games are followed by away games or more relaxed rivalries, which will give habitual tailgaters some breathing room, he says.

Along with the season opener against Clemson, Rau says he’s especially excited about the Bama game.

“We could conceivably head into that game undefeated,” he says. “So that game will include everything that comes along with that.”

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Melara Enterprises, LLC. 2026. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700

Sept. 5

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

The scene: It’s big. At home for the first time since 2020, the season opener is Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut and the campus will host ESPN’s College GameDay. The humidity will be as thick as the hype, so pace yourself and hydrate.

The dish: Mammoth crowds will have tailgaters bringing their best, high-volume work, including dishes like cast-iron-pot jambalaya and those workhorses of the outdoor grill, burgers and dogs. Invited to a tailgate? Bring fruit salad and extra water.

Sept.12

LOUISIANA TECH

The scene: A home game on the second weekend of the season keeps the good vibes going, but the atmosphere will be less intense. Fans are asked to wear purple. The dish: The heat is still an issue, so throw something low maintenance on the grill, like boudin and smoked sausage from the Capital Region’s abundance of local meat markets.

Sept. 26

TEXAS A&M

The scene: September’s trio of home games culminates with a chance at redemption against A&M. Tiger fans are still stung by last year’s trouncing in College Station, a watershed event that led to then-head coach Brian Kelly’s firing. Wear gold. The dish: Bring on the brisket. Texas’ favorite barbecue protein is also Louisiana’s. Whether or not Tiger fans will share their handiwork with Aggies remains to be seen.

Oct. 3

MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY

The scene: The weekend following the A&M game is another chance to enjoy a home tailgate as the Cowboys from Lake Charles come to town. Enjoy the start of fall. The dish: Reasonable crowds prompt some tailgaters to roll out labor-intensive dishes, like fried catfish and shrimp, or banh mi sandwiches stuffed with smoked chicken thighs or pork belly.

Summer at the U: Learning Beyond the Classroom

At University Laboratory School, Summer at the U transforms LSU’s campus into an extension of the classroom. Through hands-on experiences with LSU faculty, students, researchers, and campus professionals, campers discover new interests while exploring the people, places, and opportunities that make LSU extraordinary. Every experience encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence, and lifelong Tiger pride.

• Behind-the-scenes tours of LSU’s 459 Commons Dining Hall

• Interactive learning with the LSU Entomology Club

• Sports photography with LSU Athletics

• Exploration at the LSU Museum of Natural Science

• Math challenges alongside LSU faculty in Lockett Hall

• Campus adventures, LSU landmarks, and the LSU Lakes

Oct. 17

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

The scene: The two teams haven’t played since the Tigers traveled to Starkville in 2023. Mid-October usually brings spectacular weather for fans to enjoy.

The dish: Riffing on Mississippi’s love for barbecue pork, roll out baby back ribs and pulled pork sliders. Pair them with layered salads and loaded dips.

Nov. 7

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

The scene: Nick Saban might not be around to fuel Tiger fans’ ire for the Tide, but the rivalry still stands. A threeweek break away from the gravitational pull of Death Valley will have fans clamoring to cheer on the Bayou Bengals.

The dish: Expect to see edible “elephants” fashioned from pork chops posing as ears joined by pork loin trunks. Crowd size will inspire tailgates to prepare big-volume dishes like roast suckling pig and pots of gumbo.

Nov. 14

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

The scene: Tigers will be eager to ruin QB1 Arch Manning’s day as they host the Longhorns in a regular season game that should have been played back in September 2020 but was canceled due to the pandemic. The dish: The final home game of the season is a fine chance to break out street tacos made with grilled skirt steak and accompanied by fresh avocado, pickled red onion and cotija cheese.

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l'VE HAD BACK PAIN FOR YEARS AND NOTHING HAS HELPED. WHERE DO I EVEN START?

The first thing I tell patients is- don't assume it's been properly evaluated just because it's been looked at. The sacroiliac joint is one of the most overlooked sources of chronic low back pain. Studies suggest 15 to 30 percent of chronic low back pain may actually be coming from the SI joint. not the spine itself. 1 2 That's a significant number of people walking around with an answer nobody's looked for yet.

WHAT IS THE SI JOINT, AND WHY DOES IT CAUSE SO MUCH PAIN?

The sacroiliac joint connects your pelvis to the base of your spine. and its job is to transfer weight and forces between your upper body and your legs. It functions like the body's shock absorber. Like any joint, it can degenerate over time or the surrounding ligaments can be injured- and when that happens, it can produce significant, chronic pain that people often mistake for a spine problem.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SYMPTOMS ARE COMING FROM MY SI JOINT?

One of the most telling signs is something we call the Fortin Finger test- patients can point with one finger to exactly where it hurts, right at the base of the spine just below the belt line. almost always on one side. Beyond that. the pattern is recognizable: lower back and buttock pain. a sensation of tingling or weakness in the leg, difficulty sitting for long periods without shifting to one side, and real pain when getting up from a chair. If that sounds familiar, the SI joint should be considered as a contributor to your pain.

The

not coming from the back? Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009 Jan 1;34(1):E27-32.

1995 Jan 1;20(1):31-7.

WHY IS SI JOINT PAIN SO HARD TO DIAGNOSE?

That's the most common frustration I hear. SI joint dysfunction doesn't show up on imaging the way a herniated disc does. and many evaluations simply don't include it. A proper diagnosis requires a thorough physical exam of the lumbar spine. the SI joint. and the hip. combined with specific provocative tests and- most definitively- a diagnostic injection directly into the joint. Without that, it's easy to miss entirely. I always make sure we're looking at the full picture.

IF THE SI JOINT IS THE PROBLEM, WHAT CAN ACTUALLY BE DONE ABOUT IT?

There's a real range of options. and we always start conservatively. That means physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications. SI joint belts for support, and targeted injections with anesthetic and steroids. Radiofrequency ablation is another option. For patients who've tried those approaches and are still suffering from chronic. debilitating pain. minimally invasive SI joint fusion can be a very effective next step. The key is finally having the right diagnosis - because the right treatment follows from that.

NeuroMedical Center CLINIC

SCAN HERETO LEARN MORE

1. Sembrano JN. Polly OW Jr. How often is low back pain

2. Schwarzer AC, Aprill CN, Bogduk N. The sacroiliac joint in chronic low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976).

BOUND Baton Rouge

Make the most of a football-filled Labor Day weekend in the Capital City

BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON // PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE

LSU’S 2026 SEASON opener is at home for the first time since 2020, which means Labor Day weekend in Baton Rouge is lining up to be a seismic event. Tiger fans will be ready to bring the energy as LSU faces off against Clemson amid home field traditions and

the unmistakable roar of Death Valley.

Visitors from both teams will descend on the Capital City for the big game, but they’ll find plenty of other things to do in Baton Rouge as well. Here’s how to make the most of the long weekend.

Saturday 6:30 p.m.

Kickoff. Geaux Tigers!

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Relish the chance to sleep in, then head for brunch downtown. Savor detailed global dishes at Cocha or opt for Creole favorites at Cecilia.

Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Meander through the 440-acre Burden Museum & Gardens in the heart of Baton Rouge. A state-of-the-art welcome center completed this spring orients visitors to the site’s three memorable experiences: the renowned LSU Rural Life Museum, Windrush Gardens and the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens.

Sunday, 4 p.m.

Journey to Court to Table Kitchen & Bar for a round of pickleball or cornhole followed by dinner in the onsite modern American restaurant. The Hot Yardbird fried chicken sandwich and banh mi craft tacos will ease your appetite after all that friendly competition.

Friday, 3 p.m.

Arrive in Baton Rouge and check into a downtown hotel. Unpack and stretch your legs, then head for the top floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts for a stunning view of the majestic Mississippi River. Snap a few pics, then move inside to Tsunami Sushi for a Blushing Geisha cocktail at the bar.

Friday, 7 p.m.

Hop over to Mid City for dinner. Queue up for a table at the Michelin-recommended hometown favorite Elsie’s Plate and Pie, or make a reservation at Rocca Pizzeria for a wood-fired Neapolitan pie with curated toppings. End the night with a chef-driven cocktail at the stylish new speakeasy Hearsay, inside Circa 1857.

Saturday, 9 a.m.

Start the morning off at the beloved downtown Red Stick Farmers Market, where dozens of farmers and producers sell local-only items. Munch on a scone, sweet potato pie or loaded biscuit from a market vendor and sip sustainable, fair-trade coffee at River & Roots inside Main Street Market. Stroll through the adjacent monthly Arts Market and peruse the impressive wares of regional artisans.

Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

Let the game festivities begin. Walk or rideshare to The Pastime Restaurant downtown, a local institution famous for pizza and po-boys whose origins date back to the 1920s. Scribble your order on a piece of paper, grab a pitcher of beer and head for a table. After a stomach-coating nosh, reserve your seat on the Pastime’s Tiger Transit bus, which will take you to and from the game for a nominal fee.

Saturday, 3 p.m.

Stroll through LSU’s iconic tailgate scene and witness over-the-top fan traditions. Grab a strategic spot and prepare to watch the Golden Band from Tigerland march down Victory Hill. After the goosebumps recede, head to Mike the Tiger’s habitat for a peek at Louisiana’s favorite feline. It’s almost gametime. Head inside Tiger Stadium and take your seat.

Monday, 9 a.m.

Check out of your hotel and head for home, but not before stopping at Coffee Call, the 50-year-old local treasure famous for madefrom-scratch beignets and café au lait. Grab a table and sink your teeth into deep-fried clouds of dough showered in powdered sugar. Don’t forget to take some for the road.

AWAY

Traveling Tigers helps LSU fans take to the road

BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

CERTAIN LSU AWAY games are etched in Sally Stiel’s memory.

“One I’ll talk about forever was the season opener in Las Vegas and the massive tailgate we had at the House of Blues,” she says. “There were almost 3,000 people in the room.”

LSU’s much-hyped 2024 faceoff against USC brought a tsunami of purple and gold to Sin City. And

we go

while it wasn’t enough to secure a win, the Tiger Nation succeeded in showcasing its indelible brand of passion.

Another historic battle, this one against SEC rival Auburn during the 2018 season, also sticks in Stiel’s memory, thanks to LSU placekicker Cole Tracy’s last-minute 42-yard game-winning field goal. Snatching victory from a longtime rival was even sweeter

for the fans who witnessed it in person.

“We had a small group who had gone over on a bus trip, and that kick just changed the entire mood,” Stiel says. “There’s just something different about getting a win like that on the road.”

As the organizer of the LSU Alumni Association’s group travel program known as Traveling Tigers, Stiel sees the magic that

happens when the LSU faithful gather for away games. The longtime program hosts excursions to rival cities that help extend the university’s well-known pageantry.

“It takes the excitement of Tiger Stadium on a Saturday and brings it on the road,” says Stiel, LSU Alumni Association vice president of marketing, travel and corporate partnerships. “You have folks of every age on these trips, with a lot

Diehard LSU fans’ love for Tiger football knows no geographical bounds, as shown in this snap from the Traveling Tigers program's 2024 trip to South Carolina.

of repeat travelers. It becomes a mini family.”

Traveling Tigers has existed for 40 years and is best known for coordinating both football and women’s basketball awaygame fan trips. The events range from single tailgates to extended weekend packages with bonus activities beyond the game itself. The program also offers leisure and educational excursions through third-party partners.

The mood is electric among fans who sign up for away games, Stiel says. From the time they arrive en

masse with their LSU swag to their boisterous (or muted) departure after the game, there’s a palpable sense of excitement.

“You can feel the energy when you walk into a hotel lobby and you see all those fellow fans,” she says.

LSU’s deep traditions can’t help but seep into the local backdrop, Stiel adds.

“You’ll hear groups of fans walking through downtown or in a bar start chanting,” she says. “Someone will yell, ‘Go!’ and then you’ll hear ‘Tigers!’ It’s a really fun experience.”

Traveling Tigers participants have seen it all, from a Vegas tailgate with showgirls to a women's basketball game in Pat Summitt country to gridiron matchups at Florida and Clemson (clockwise from right).

Road fever

By Maggie Heyn Richardson

Make the most of LSU’s away games with off-field fun and food

Ole Miss, Sept. 19

Fans venturing into this hotbed of hurt feelings will find strength in numbers at a Traveling Tigers tailgate before the game where the smack talk is good and the food is even better. If you’re there on your own, don’t miss hotspots like Square Books, as well as James Beard nominee Snackbar and award-winner City Grocery.

Kentucky, Oct. 10

The chance to play Kentucky means bonus experiences like bourbon tastings, horse racing and a tour of Henry Clay’s massive 19th-century estate, Ashland.

Auburn, Oct. 24

Mike or Aubie? Only one Tiger will reign supreme. Head for the Plains and enjoy local cuisine at fine dining eatery Acre and see how real “war eagles” are cared for at the Auburn University Raptor Center.

Tennessee, Nov. 21

Traveling Tigers’ Rocky Top tailgate assembles the purple and gold on a picturesque riverfront spot in downtown Knoxville. While in town, don’t miss the city’s No. 1 attraction, Navitat Knoxville, an all-ability, familyfriendly ropes course and zip line with incredible views.

Arkansas, Nov. 28

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This year’s faceoff against the Razorbacks means a trip to the Ozarks and to charming Fayetteville. Sample a juicy burger at local institution Hugo’s before the game. Afterward, catch a band at George’s Majestic Lounge, the state’s oldest live music venue.

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Carefully check this ad

Did you KNEAUX?

Quiz fellow fans on these Golden Band from Tigerland facts

BY OLIVIA DEFFES

PHOTOS BY JORDAN HEFLER

COUNTLESS HOURS OF prep, 325 musical members and those four notes. It doesn’t even need an introduction because you were already thinking about the Golden Band from Tigerland, weren’t you?

It’s rare that a university’s band has a cult following and makes people want to stay in their seats during halftime rather than popping up for a snack or bathroom break, but that’s exactly the case for the LSU Tiger Marching Band.

Whether you know someone who was a member or are a diehard fan, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to LSU’s beloved band. Here are 10 fun facts about the student musicians. Study up and break them out next time you have downtime in Death Valley or get caught up in a serious game of Tiger trivia.

Way before its current fanfare, the band had humble beginnings.

Started as a military band in 1893, the 11-man roster would play for donations and even wear advertising sandwich boards to raise funds for travel, equipment and other expenses. Now, each member receives a $1,000 service award stipend and pays no fees for membership. Most instruments are available for students, usually at no cost. The university also funds the band’s travel and most uniform-related costs.

The band used to have another nickname. First known as the Cadet Band during LSU’s “Old War Skule” days, the group earned the moniker “The Show Band of the South” in the 1930s due to its growth, showmanship and fun performances that caught the attention of those outside of Baton Rouge.

Huey P. Long was a big fan.

In the 1930s, the Kingfish took a liking to LSU’s band. He helped write songs and even expanded the group’s roster to get more people to notice the university. The band also has another tie to Louisiana government, as band co-founder Ruffin G. Pleasant went on to be governor.

The pre-game performance has remained virtually unchanged since the ’50s. Little has changed in this march onto the field in more than 70 years, and it always starts with that chill-inducing, four-note salute. You just hummed it in your head, didn’t you?

Members don’t have to be music majors. As long as you can carry a tune and play an instrument, any student is welcome to try out for the band. About 75% to 80% of the band is made up of non-music majors, and the group represents nearly all academic departments. Requirements include being a full-time student, having a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, being in good standing with the university, enrolling in the MUS 4250 course, and being flexible for travel.

The Golden Band from Tigerland is Grammy-nominated.

Yep, the band was nominated for one of music’s biggest honors for its collaborative album Full Circle with zydeco artist and Tiger Band alumnus Sean Ardoin. Other accolades include being named the “All-American College TV Band” in 1971, being awarded the prestigious Louis Sudler Trophy in 2002, and being inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Death Valley isn’t the only stage the band has taken.

From presidential inaugural parades in Washington, D.C. and Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans to bowl games and celebrations at Walt Disney World, the purple-and-gold-clad marching group has represented LSU well beyond Tiger Stadium.

The band’s uniforms contain Easter eggs that nod to campus architecture.

Over the years, the Tiger Band uniforms have gone through quite a few iterations, with the most recent revamp in 2017. The change kept two distinct design features introduced in 1993: a Greek key and a diamond LSU logo on the shako and arm sleeves. Next time you’re on campus, spy the Greek key adorning Thomas D. Boyd Hall and the LSU emblem on doorknobs at the Faculty Club.

Not all make the cut.

Each year, about 500 students try out, and after weeks of tryouts, that number is narrowed down to a perfect 325-member roster.

The band learns around six unique halftime drills per season.

Memorizing and performing new songs and formations is no small feat, and sometimes the band has fewer than five days to master a show. Want a teaser for this season? Expect performances themed around Pixar, Princess and the Frog and Super Bowl halftime greats.

Powering Progress

A New Home for Discovery, Research and Collaboration at LSU

Shell Research Laboratories

Shell USA, Inc. committed $2.5 million to the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building as part of a $27.5 million investment in energy-related initiatives at LSU.

Shell Research Laboratories offers advanced research environments to enable faculty and students to work together on complex, real world challenges.

“The opening of the LSU Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building is a testament to the power of partnership and what can be achieved when industry and academia come together around a shared vision.

We are proud to support a space where students, faculty and industry can collaborate to drive discovery, explore new frontiers and develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and energy leaders.”

shell.us/louisiana | #PoweringProgress

–Colette Hirstius, President, Shell USA

Pictured L to R: Rob Stuart, LSU Real Estate and Facilities Foundation President & CEO; Wade Rousse, LSU President; Rochelle Touchard, Shell, Corporate Relations Regional Lead; Colette Hirstius, Shell USA, President; Lee Stockwell, Shell, General Manager, Carbon Capture and Storage North America; Krista Raney, LSU Foundation President & CEO; Robb Brumfield, LSU College of Science Interim Dean

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Outlook

ALL IN

BY MATT MOSCONA // PHOTOS BY JORDAN HEFLER

THE LANE KIFFIN era at LSU has seen a wild swing of highs and lows. There have been huge wins (Jordan Seaton), disasters averted (Brendan Sorsby) and PR black eyes (Vanity Fair)

And soon Kiffin will coach his first game for the Tigers.

With a coach on a $91 million contract and a roster budget that has reportedly exceeded $40 million, a rebuild is out of the question. The Lane Train must roll to wins. Lots of them. And the schedule might just set up for the Tigers to make a push to the College Football Playoff.

Turn the page for a breakdown of every game this season.

Tiger Town is betting big on the 2026 team

Sept. 5 vs. Clemson

ABOUT OUR ANALYST Matt Moscona is the awardwinning host of After Further Review, heard weekdays on ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles.

Kiffin’s debut should be the peak Tiger Stadium experience: the biggest non-conference home game in nearly 20 years, with College GameDay and a primetime audience. Dabo Swinney is marching his team into a buzzsaw, which is why the home Tigers are 11.5-point favorites.

Sept. 12 vs. Louisiana Tech

Despite a loss in Baton Rouge, the Bulldogs broke through in Sonny Cumbie’s fourth season, winning eight games and the Independence Bowl. This will be a nice breather for LSU before…

Sept. 19 at Ole Miss

Oxford will be unhinged. The question is if the Rebels’ offense will be as effective without its maestros Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr., especially against Blake Baker’s talented defense.

Sept. 26 vs. Texas A&M

A brutal letdown spot for the Tigers, but at least it’s at home. The Aggies, who ended the Brian Kelly era a season ago, will be coming off a sleepy home game against Kentucky. After a dead sprint in September, the Tigers should exhale in October.

Oct. 3 vs. McNeese Whew!

Oct. 10 at Kentucky

New coach Will Stein will run one of the fastest offenses in the country. Thankfully for LSU, they see the fastest offense every day in practice. Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey running Stein’s offense will be an interesting contrast from 13 years of Mark Stoops.

Oct. 17 vs. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs have beaten LSU just six times in the last 40 years. It’s great to see State back on the schedule after a twoyear hiatus.

Oct. 24 at Auburn

Three consecutive weeks of facing warp speed offenses wraps with LSU’s first trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2022. New coach Alex Golesh and dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown could make this team the sleeper in the SEC.

Nov. 7 vs. Alabama

When was the last time the Alabama game was the fourth-most anticipated on the LSU schedule?

Nov. 14 vs. Texas

COVID robbed LSU of a return trip from the Longhorns after the 2019 classic in Austin. If LSU survives a brutal September and sleepy October, Arch Manning’s trip to Tiger Stadium should be oozing with CFP implications.

Nov. 21 at Tennessee

Rocky Top in November will be beautiful. The Vols must replace quarterback Joey Aguilar, who lost his court case for an extra year of eligibility. Tennessee feels light years away from their CFP appearance two years ago.

Nov. 28 at Arkansas

It’s never easy against the Hogs. Back-toback road conference games following Bama and Texas are unenviable. Such is life in the SEC—as new Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield will learn.

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ARRIVALS

Breaking down how the members of LSU’s 2026 transfer portal class plan to leave their mark on the team this season

BY BEN WARREN

Princewill Umanmielen

Edge rusher, Ole Miss

A key piece of Kiffin’s 2025 campaign at Ole Miss, Umanmielen brings a towering presence to the LSU front seven. Coming off a season that saw him total 9 sacks, he is poised to be a breakout star in 2026.

Ty Benefield

Safety, Boise State University

Jordan Seaton

Offensive tackle, University of Colorado

A standout in Boulder, Seaton joins a unit that was heavily scrutinized last season. The No. 1 offensive lineman in the transfer portal was a second-team all-Big 12 in 2025 after missing the final three games of the season with injury. If LSU wants to be title contenders, the offensive line and Seaton need to play a big role.

After a successful three years at Boise State in which he won a Mountain West Conference Championship Game MVP award and appeared in the College Football Playoff, Benefield brings loads of experience to the LSU defensive backfield. With over 200 career tackles and five interceptions, he will add a playmaking edge at the safety position.

Tre’ Brown III

Wide receiver, Old Dominion University

In one season at ODU, the 6-foot-2 wide receiver reeled in 38 catches for 762 yards and four touchdowns, good enough numbers to earn All-Sun Belt conference honors. An explosive, big-body playmaker, Brown should be wellsuited for a Lane Kiffin offense.

Sam Leavitt

Quarterback, Arizona State University

Coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign in which he was injured and Arizona State missed the playoffs, Leavitt lands in Baton Rouge with a chip on his shoulder. He has passed for over 4,500 yards in his career with only nine interceptions in 20 games at ASU. For LSU to be taken seriously, Leavitt will need to show flashes of what we saw in 2025.

SINCE THE CREATION of the college football transfer portal in 2018, no coach has been more closely associated with it than Lane Kiffin.

Whether it was begging players to #cometoboca while at Florida Atlantic or securing five-star signings at Ole Miss, LSU’s new coach has always been at the forefront of portal recruiting. This year is no different, as the highly publicized 2026 offseason brought in a swath of talented players. With the added financial backing of a motivated athletic department and Tiger fanbase, LSU landed the No. 1 transfer portal recruiting class, signing a total of 41 players.

Let’s check out some of the latest additions to the Tigers coming to Baton Rouge by way of the portal.

Faheem Delane

Safety, Ohio State

A name fans will recognize, Faheem is the brother of firstround pick and Thorpe Award finalist Mansoor Delane. Faheem was a 4-star recruit coming out of high school and will look to leave his own mark in Baton Rouge after spending 2025 fighting to see the field at Ohio State.

Eugene

Wilson III

Wide receiver, University of Florida

An electric pass catcher, Wilson comes to LSU by way of bitter rival Florida. After three seasons at Florida that saw him rack up over 1,000 yards in only 22 games, look for him to be a popular target for QB Sam Leavitt.

Jackson Harris

Wide receiver, University of Hawai’i

Coming off a 2025 season that saw Harris receive firstteam All-Mountain West honors, Harris comes to LSU with over 1,000 receiving yards to go along with 13 touchdowns. Add on his six 100-yard receiving games and Harris is clear to be a consistent target for Sam Leavitt.

Husan Longstreet Quarterback, USC

The No. 13 overall player and No. 1 player in California as named by On3 Sports for the class of 2025, Longstreet spent most of last season learning on the USC bench. While he is not expected to see much action in 2026, he is a massive addition to the future of this program under Kiffin.

Stephiylan Green

Defensive tackle, Clemson University Green made his first start and had a career-high 6 tackles in the season opener against LSU last year. An experienced player who was on the ACC Academic Honor Roll for the last two years, he will bring both smarts and power to this LSU defensive line.

Malik Blocton

Defensive tackle, Auburn University

A bruising defensive talent, Blocton stacked up 34 tackles—with 8.5 for a loss—and two sacks over two seasons with the Auburn Tigers. Blocton is a perfect fit for a Blake Baker defense and should continue to be a game-wrecker in 2026.

Jayce Brown

Wide receiver, Kansas State University

Brown lands in Baton Rouge after a threeyear career in the Little Apple, including All-Big-12 honors in 2025. With over 1,900 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career, Brown is yet another pair of experienced hands for LSU to target this season.

Aliou Bah

Offensive line, University of Maryland

Bah brings some serious experience down to LSU. With 24 career starts and over 1,500 snaps under his belt, he will be a player that the all-new LSU offensive line will lean on.

William Satterwhite

Offensive line, University of Tennessee

Satterwhite appeared in 11 games in two years with the Vols, all at the center position. While not the most experienced, he has played 182 snaps without allowing a sack in his college career.

WHERE TIGER PRIDE TAKES SHAPE

Championships begin long before kickoff.

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WITH LANE KIFFIN comes offense.

If there’s one thing that feels like a guarantee with the hire of Kiffin, it’s LSU lighting up the scoreboard this fall. Kiffin’s offenses have ranked in the top 50 in the nation every year he’s been a college head coach or offensive coordinator—minus 2013 when USC finished at No. 51—including seven top-20 finishes in the past 12 years.

The first-year Tiger coach has aptly earned a moniker as the “quarterback whisperer” in his coaching career, and he’ll have a trio of new talents to train this season.

Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt headlines the group, coming to LSU as the top-ranked player in this year’s transfer portal. He was the Sun Devils’ starting quarterback for two seasons, racking up 4,652 yards and 36 touchdowns—as well as 816 yards and 10 more scores on the ground—while leading Arizona State to the Big 12 championship and a firstround appearance in the College Football Playoffs.

Leavitt’s season was cut short last October due to a Lisfranc injury that ultimately required surgery, and he’s been rehabbing his foot for the majority of the offseason. While Leavitt, the projected starter, has been limited this spring, fellow transfers Husan Longstreet and Landen Clark have been getting their share of first-team reps.

Longstreet is a former 5-star prospect from Corona, California, who transferred to the Tigers as a top-100 portal player after one year at USC. He saw limited action as a true freshman, completing 13 of his 15 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown as well as 76 rushing yards with 2 more scores.

Clark, on the other hand, comes to Baton Rouge with a full season of starting experience at the FCS level, throwing for 2,231 yards and 18 touchdowns at Elon to earn Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in the Colonial Athletic Conference.

Regardless of which signal-caller wins the starting job, there will be a slew of new weapons to work with around him, along with a pair of familiar faces for Tiger fans.

LSU’s offensive unit was built to score

BY MARK CLEMENTS

Transfer quarterback Landen Clark saw plenty of reps in spring practices.

HARLEM BERRY AND CADEN DURHAM, RB

Husan Longstreet is one of three new quarterbacks who are vying for playing time in 2026.

While the vast majority of the LSU offense will take some getting to know, the Tiger backfield is one of the few areas that maintained some level of consistency. Durham and Berry were LSU’s top two rushers last season, finishing the season with almost identical stat lines: Durham had 111 carries for 505 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Berry ran 104 times for 491 yards and 2 scores. The Tigers prioritized bringing both players back this fall after some transfer portal temptations, and they’ll be pivotal pieces of a Kiffin offense that produced the SEC’s leading rusher a year ago.

JAYCE BROWN, WR

It’s hard to know which one of the dozen new receivers will emerge from the pack, but Brown is certainly a strong contender. He spent the past three seasons at Kansas State, racking up 115 catches for 1,972 yards and 13 touchdowns to finish No. 8 in program history. He was rated as a 4-star transfer and the No. 20 receiver in the portal after earning third-team All-Big 12 honors last year.

JACKSON HARRIS, WR

Harris is a big-play threat that joins LSU after a strong 2025 season at Hawai’i. He led the Mountain West in both receiving touchdowns (12) and yards per catch (19.65), while finishing No. 2 with 963 receiving yards and 87.5 yards per game to earn first-team All-Mountain West honors.

armed& dangerous

New quarterback Sam Leavitt talks transferring, Heisman hopes and practicing against the formidable Tigers defense

BY MARK CLEMENTS

Incoming quarterback Sam Leavitt has partnered with performance menswear brand Mizzen+Main, which outfitted him in this LSU-branded gear.

EVERY ATHLETE HAS their own personalized pregame playlist.

Hip hop is commonly blasted through stadiums and locker rooms to get players and fans energized. Heavy metal or hard rock music might get some guys ready to go to battle.

But for LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt, he prefers a more mellow route.

“I always have to listen to reggae music,” Leavitt tells 225. “My whole family always listened to reggae growing up, so it’s something that puts me in a feel-good mood. I try not to get too amped up before the game, and it’s really calming.”

You’ve been going through a lot of rehab throughout the spring and summer. How has that gone and how tough was it not being able to be out there?

Coming off the injury and not being able to go with the team full go is really cruel. [My teammates] aren’t able to see me put in the work and be a grinder out there for them. That’s something that was eating at me the most of spring ball was not being out there for them. One thing about me is I’m a competitor, and it was difficult for me to not be out there competing with my guys. Other than that, summer has been going incredible. It’s been a huge jump in the system for me and physically, just constantly getting better.

You could have gone to a number of elite schools. Why LSU?

It was about finding the best possible situation for me to go have an incredible year and have a chance to go win a national championship, a Heisman and then put myself in the best position to go be the first pick in the draft next year. Other than winning a national championship, that is my No. 1 goal. Obviously, those are high expectations, but I’ve always had since I was a little kid that belief in myself. So I was looking at all these different schools, and if you just look at this offense, it’s so incredible what they’ve done. I want to be in a situation that plays a lot to my strengths. [The offense] reminds me a lot of my senior year. I transferred to a new school and it was a more RPO (run-pass option) driven offense—spread it out. Those

He’s got all his favorites on there—Bob Marley, J-Boog, Common Kings—but he only pops the playlist on after his pregame meditation.

Leavitt, who transferred in from Arizona State, will be hoping Tigers fans don’t worry about a thing with him under center this year. He has a 16-4 record as a starter and led his team to the College Football Playoffs in 2024.

He’s spent much of the offseason recovering from a Lisfranc foot injury, but he has been at or near full speed throughout the summer. Leavitt spoke with 225 this summer to chat about how his foot rehab is going, why he chose LSU, and even a little reggae music.

things are kind of lining up, and it’s going to be really fun to watch it unfold.

You transferred in to Arizona State, won the starting job and led your team to the College Football Playoffs. What did you learn in your time there that will help you at LSU?

My time at ASU was incredible. I learned a lot as a human, as a football player, as a leader. Some things that I took away that were really positive were just my grind factor and how much I cared about every individual. My care factor for winning I think just rubbed off on everyone and they saw it. I do think that being in [the College Football Playoffs], I’m now going into the season [knowing] that especially in the first half of a game, I’ll be way calmer. I understand how the flow of the game goes, especially in those big-time moments where anything can really happen and you just always go to play the next play. You’re never focused on the next drive or something someone said. It’s just super focused on that singular play at hand.

What’s it been like working with all these new receivers? How have you managed to build a rapport with them?

We’ve got some young guys that have got some juice, and some older transfer guys that we brought in that understand the game really well. So me being able to express to them how I view certain concepts and things like that, I think, is the biggest thing that’s been able to grow throughout this summer. You can

always run these routes how they’re drawn on paper and run them super hard and there’s going to be a million people who can do that. But how well do you understand the concept, the timing of the route, and the space that you need to be in? Certain times you’re sitting in windows where you don’t need to sprint for the tempo of routes. Me just constantly putting the ball in those situations and then expressing to them, ‘Hey, this is where you need to be on this timing,’ or ‘Oh, that was too fast there.’ I think we’ve done a great job in the spring and summer since I’ve been able to start throwing a lot more with them. We’ve skyrocketed in a month.

Your offense is being paired with what looks to be a strong defense, and many have you ranked in the preseason top 10 already. What are the team’s expectations this year?

Our defense is incredible. Being able to go against them every single day is going to be one of the greatest blessings I’m going to have. To be able to see their pre-snap holds and how they’re disguising stuff—Coach Baker does a great job with them. On top of that, just having incredible players at every single position, our defense is beyond loaded. And on offense, we’ve got a bunch of dudes as well. I’m just blessed to be able to go against them every single day and learn and grow. I never really try to put expectations on the year. The only expectation I put on us is to get better every single day. Everybody says get 1% better. How are we going to get 2% better?

stand Making a

Digging into a defense designed around returning stars

By Mark Clements

ONE OF THE biggest conundrums Lane

Kiffin faced upon his arrival at LSU was sorting out what to do with his defensive staff and, specifically, his defensive coordinator.

Blake Baker was well respected both locally and nationally, and the vast majority of Tiger fans were hoping he would stick around for a third season in purple and gold.

But keeping Baker in Baton Rouge would prove to be no easy task. The defensive guru drew head coaching interest from a number of schools including Memphis and Tulane.

It was widely reported that Baker, a Green Wave alum himself, was “closing in” on becoming Tulane’s next head coach and that “all signs point(ed) toward” LSU

losing their defensive coordinator to their in-state rival.

But ultimately, Kiffin was able to muster up a bit more magic and convince Baker to stay another season to the tune of a new three-year, $9.3-million contract that makes him the second-highest-paid coordinator in college football.

It was a big win for LSU, who finished 2025 ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense for the first time since 2017 and the top 30 in total defense since 2019. And contrary to the offense, which saw nearly a complete turnover at almost every position, Baker brings back a healthy mix of returning talents and impactful transfers this fall.

He’s joined by Kiffin’s brother Chris, a longtime defensive coach at both the college and NFL levels, who will act as

co-defensive coordinator this season. Positionally, the duo will be responsible for coaching the linebackers, which will be anchored by a pair of dominant SEC veterans.

Whit Weeks has become a household name for Tiger fans after three strong years in Baton Rouge, highlighted by a standout sophomore season where he finished No. 2 in the SEC and No. 9 nationally with 125 total tackles. He was limited to just 8 games last year after suffering a seasonending injury to his lower leg against South Carolina, so he’ll be itching to get back to his energetic self this fall.

He’ll pair up with another tackling machine in TJ Dottery, a fifthyear senior who followed Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU this summer after a strong 2025 campaign

where he led the entire SEC with 98 tackles.

The former 4-star Clemson signee wore the green dot for the Rebels—a small sticker on the back of a helmet that indicates which player has communication with the coaches in order to relay the play to the rest of the defense. It’s a big responsibility, typically only entrusted to the most reliable players, and many predict Dottery will take the same role at LSU.

There’s plenty more talent surrounding this dynamic duo at all levels, some new and some returning. If Baker and Co. can continue building off its strong 2025 season and couple it with a rebuilt Kiffin offense, the Tigers could be building something special.

Linebacker Whit Weeks (#40) and defensive coordinator Blake Baker (in gold) return to defend Death Valley turf this season.

NAMES TO WATCH:

TY BENEFIELD, S

Remember the name. Benefield is shaping up to be the next big one to come out of “DBU” after transferring in from Boise State. The experienced safety has started 33 games in his career and was named first-team All-Mountain West in 2025. He should slot in as a starter in the secondary from Day 1.

DJ PICKETT, CB

ED ORGERON

, Special Assistant to Recruiting and Defense

You know it’s been a hectic offseason when LSU’s national-title-winning head coach returning to the coaching staff five years later isn’t the biggest storyline of the summer. Orgeron is indeed back in a new role under Kiffin, where he’ll primarily focus on his specialty of landing some of the nation’s top recruits. Regardless, it’s always entertaining with Coach O is back in the picture.

PRINCEWILL UMANMIELEN, DE

Umanmielen was the third 5-star Kiffin pulled from the portal (after QB Sam Leavitt and OL Jordan Seaton) and was rated as the No. 6 prospect in the entire portal. He’s a 6-foot-4, 244-pound defensive end who finished last season No. 3 in the SEC with 9 sacks and No. 8 with 13 tackles for loss, earning him third-team All-SEC honors.

Pickett made a name for himself in Baton Rouge after an impactful freshman season where he played in all 13 games with 3 starts. He recorded 37 tackles, 3 for loss, and a sack in 2025, leading the team with 3 interceptions as well. The 6-foot-4 corner will anchor one of the cornerback spots for the Tigers this year.

LAMAR BROWN, DE

Brown might be more of a name for the future, but he’s worth getting to know this season. He was rated the No. 1 high school prospect in the country last year after exerting his dominance on both the offensive and defensive lines at University Lab School. His raw potential and elite athleticism should help him see the field a good amount this season, and he’s one to watch down the line.

GEAUX GOLD.

To the fighting Tigers and loyal LSU fans, here’s to a year of big gains. And great returns.

Now entering the

green zone

All systems are go for this offensive star and hometown hero

SCROLL THROUGH

Trey’Dez Green’s TikTok account, and you’ll find one recurring theme.

Like most college athletes, Green has an occasional highlight reel or LSU hype video scattered throughout his feed.

But nearly half of his posts are just simply videos of Green dancing—in the locker room, around campus, in his apartment, with his teammates. No matter who he’s with or where he’s breaking it down, he’s always got a smile on his face.

It’s just a small peek into the

personality of LSU’s star tight end, but it helps paint a larger picture of what makes Green so special.

He’s a menacing, 6-foot-7 matchup nightmare with basketball hops and a wide receiver’s hands that keep defensive coordinators awake at night. But he’s also the goofy kid from Jackson, Louisiana, with a contagious laugh, a strong work ethic and a passionate dedication to his family.

Simply put, Green is a big dude with a big heart and a big character, who makes a big impact on and off the football field.

“[Everyone] has a fun side to

BY MARK CLEMENTS

you, and I’m just enjoying the moment,” Green tells 225. “I love football with everything in me, and my love of football has grown. Football has taught me so many life skills and taught me how to be the man that I am today. Just by going through the hard workouts and having to be at a certain place at a certain time—it teaches you so much structure in your life. [I’m always] so happy because I wake up with a purpose every day.”

Family first

That purpose Green mentions is far more than just a stat line, an

accolade or a trophy.

Green is the proud father of Rian Cherise Green, his 16-month-old daughter who immediately managed to bring out a soft side to her formidable father.

“She was born March 21, 10:41 p.m.,” Green says. You can hear his smile as he wanders back to that day. “It softened me up for sure. I held her, and I’ll just never forget that moment. That was the most important moment of my life, man. It changed my life, and it gives me another purpose to go out and do what I do. She’s the greatest blessing that God has blessed me with.

Besides having hands made for receiving, LSU football tight end Trey’Dez Green has speed. Put it all together and the Tigers have a standout this season.

I know that she’s watching me and watching every move I make, so I just want to set a good example for her.”

As Green continues to share stories of his daughter saying “Daddy” for the first time or fittingly learning the “Six Seven” dance that kids do nowadays, it’s clear that he himself had some prominent parental figures in his life growing up.

And you don’t have to look far to find the most impactful one.

Green’s mom, Casondra, is just across the apartment, playing with her granddaughter.

anything. The things that she gets away with, I would not have been able to get away with. But that’s what grandmas are for.”

Casondra now lives with her son, in part to help take care of Rian while Green juggles the endless schedule of a high-level Division I student-athlete trying to balance practice, workouts and meetings on top of classes, NIL deals and now fatherhood.

But that’s how it’s always been with Casondra—she’s going to show up for her people, regardless of whatever is standing in the way.

her other maternal duties.

But somehow between work, her treatments and everything else moms do, Casondra still found a way to make it to all but four games in Green’s entire athletic career.

Casondra has now been cancer-free for several years, but the strength, dedication and effort she showed during that time has seemingly been passed on to her son.

Green’s on-field production, coupled with his off-field personality, has boosted his estimated NIL value to over $1 million, according to On3—a figure that has allowed him to return the favor back to his mother.

“She calls my mom ‘Gigi,’” Green says, still audibly smiling. “My mom loves her. I know my mom probably shows a little favoritism towards her because I’m my mom’s baby, and that’s my daughter. So I know she’s the favorite. She lets her get away with

Casondra worked two jobs throughout Green’s childhood to support and provide for her family. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer on Green’s sixth birthday.

Performance Nutrition Center Executive Chef Michael Johnson is known to the students as “The Tiger Chef.”

The news hit the family hard, particularly for Casondra’s young son, who had to watch his mom fight chemotherapy on top of all

“It felt like there was never a time that I would look over and not see my mom in the stands,” Green tells 225. “She was sick and had to be at work the next day, but she drove all the way to Orlando, Florida, for one day to watch me play one basketball game. She spent a little time with me and drove back and was at work that next morning. That’s what got me and my mom so close—seeing her going through all the stuff that she went through and all the sacrifices she has made. I get emotional thinking about all the stuff that she did for me. She’s a real survivor. She’s my superwoman.”

“Now, I get a chance to make her smile,” Green says. “I get a chance to do what I always told her that I was going to do—I get a chance to take care of her and make it so she never has to work again in her life. And that puts a smile on my face.”

Coming out of retirement

There’s that smile again—one of Green’s signature motifs.

Whether he’s helping out his family, filming a fun video for

Large and in charge, Green’s towering stature and wide wingspan makes him a force to be reckoned on LSU’s offense.

social media or celebrating a touchdown with his teammates, it seems to be a calling card he’s carried with him from childhood and into his football career.

But he almost didn’t have a football career whatsoever.

Given his height, Green was originally a basketball star, but he joined his first football team in Clinton when he was in second grade. At one of the first practices, the coach made Green go up against former LSU and current TCU safety Kylin Green in a 1-on-1 drill.

It didn’t go well.

“We went head to head and he hit me so hard,” Green laughs. “I said, ‘I’m not playing football anymore.’ I completely stopped playing football. I didn’t touch it. He retired me.”

The rest is history.

“I didn’t know what I could do in football, and I felt like I was so much better in basketball,” says Green, who originally joined both LSU’s football and basketball teams. “I got to college and after the bowl game happened, I thought, ‘Man, I’m kind of good at this. I really could do this.’”

The game Green is referring to was the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl, during which he recorded 6 catches for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns—the most productive outing of his freshman season.

That was just a glimpse into what Green would bring to the table the following year, when he racked up 33 catches for 433 yards, both third best on the team, along with a team-high 7 touchdown catches.

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Green stayed “retired” from football all the way up until his sophomore year of high school when his friends eventually convinced him— against his mom’s wishes—to sneak out and give it another try.

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“I feel like I’m a unicorn,” says Green, who eventually quit basketball to fully focus on football. “I don’t think there are a lot of people that are 6-foot-7 that can move how I move, so I feel like I made ALEX

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We don’t just build stronger bodies— we build stronger lives.

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After last season’s defeat of South Carolina, Green was named the John Mackey Award National Tight End of the Week. In this matchup, Green contributed 8 catches for 119 receiving yards and a touchdown.

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the right choice. This offseason, I really had the chance to attack the run game and work on my blocking technique, so I feel like I’m a complete tight end. And this might sound crazy coming from me being a basketball player who got retired by getting hit, but I like the contact part of it. I love to hit.”

It’s a fitting full-circle realization for Green, who has quickly worked his way into being one of the top tight ends in the country and is currently viewed as a first-round pick in many early NFL Draft projections.

He’s become such a threat to opposing defenses that even the announcers would refer to the red zone—the area of the football field between the 20-yard line and the endzone—as the Green zone during broadcasts.

“First and foremost, [Green] is an incredible human,” LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt tells 225. “You see that with the way he treats every single person in the facility the exact same. He always

INITIATIVE

has a smile on his face and just has incredible juice and is a super hard worker. On top of that, he’s beyond blessed with his physical ability. If you pair all those things together, it gives you the opportunity to have a really special career. He could have a gold [Hall of Fame] jacket by the end of his time playing. He’s an incredible person to be around.”

And Green isn’t done dancing either, although you likely won’t need to go to social media to find it. Just take a look at the back of the endzone after one of LSU’s touchdown drives.

Chances are, he’ll be busting a move with all of his teammates and, of course, with a big smile across his face.

“I want to be the same person every day,” Green says. “I want to come in and give 110% every day, and I want to smile every day and make everybody’s day better. You never know how someone is doing. A handshake or a smile could change somebody’s life.”

GLITTERS All that

A look into the dazzling costumes of LSU’s Golden Girls and Tiger Girls—and the sparkling alumni collaborations that bring them to life

BY RILEY BIENVENU BOURGEOIS

THE SHIMMER OF a completely bedazzled cargo pant. The way the color white contrasts with the grass of a football field. The subtle nods to Louisiana iconography. When it comes to the costumes that outfit LSU’s Golden Girls and Tiger Girls, intentionality is always at their rhinestoned cores. And it all starts with their creators.

In recent years, the two dance teams have increasingly turned to fellow Tigers for the development and creation of their iconic looks. There was the 2018 redesign of the Golden Girls’ uniforms by former Golden Girl and New Orleans fashion designer Suzanne Perron St. Paul. And in 2024, the Tiger Girls started their partnership with LSU alum Jaime Glas Odom, aka the Queen of Sparkles, with costumes for that year’s UDA National Championship-winning performance.

“Costumes are the first things people see,” Tiger Girls head coach Kandace Hale says. “They have to flow without being too distracting, and getting them right takes a lot of trial and error.”

LSU’s dance teams—and their memorable costumes—trace their origins back to the establishment of the Golden Girls’ predecessor, the Ballet Corps, in 1959. In 1965, the team pivoted to the name that is known and loved today, thanks to the moniker “the glittering girls of gold.” In the years since, the Golden Girls’ uniforms have seen many iterations. From sparkling gold skirts paired with heeled boots to sequined leg warmers and statement shoulder pads, styles have changed with the times.

The same can be said for the Tiger Girls, with the team entering its 29th season this year. However, while some trends might be well past their prime, this lengthy history serves as inspiration and an invaluable resource whenever new uniforms or costumes are created.

Good as Gold

“We hadn’t done a uniform redesign in many years, and we knew we were ready for something new,” Golden Girls head coach Blair Guillaume says of the 2018 redesign. “But we also knew we

Former Golden Girl Suzanne Perron St. Paul was tailor made to take on the task of conceiving the team’s new uniforms in 2018, which she brought to life over countless hours of sketching, pattern making and intricate hand crafting.

versus gold the first time she sat opposite the band at an LSU home game, St. Paul says she couldn’t deny that while gold was the more logical choice given the team’s name, white is more striking.

“I also knew we had to have a fleur-de-lis, but I wanted one that was just for them,” St. Paul says, noting that the imagery had become a Golden Girls staple over the previous decade. “Something that felt unique and different.”

wanted to keep with tradition.”

St. Paul was the first and only choice, according to Guillaume, when it came to the reimagining of the Golden Girls’ uniforms. “We didn’t even think of anyone else,” Guillaume says. St. Paul served as a member of the dance team in the late 1980s and early 1990s, prior to launching her fashion design career through work with renowned brands like Carolina Herrera, Anna Sui and Vera Wang.

Back in Louisiana and now under her own name, St. Paul was approached first by fellow Golden Girls alum Kim Dodd in 2018 for the project.

“I was really excited,” St. Paul says, and she was especially eager to make changes to features like painful sequin placement. “I knew I wanted a lot of gold, but I also knew the uniforms needed to stay white.”

Noticing the impact of white

Working from Guillaume’s request of updated stones and a timeless leotard look, St. Paul spent months perfecting the design with the help of her team and even her parents. Stretching fabrics and working out the best materials for 10-hour wears in extreme heat, the process was all about the little details, down to the hand placement of each rhinestone.

When the Golden Girls finally took the field for their first game of the 2018 season at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, St. Paul says she “about fell over” when she spotted her uniform design on the big screen while watching the game at home with friends and family.

“That first year, it was a lot of work by hand and a huge amount of time that went into each one,” St. Paul recalls, adding that now the team’s uniforms are produced by Baton Rouge-based Jen5 Designs. “It was so special to see them on the field for that first game, and it’s still fun to see little girls wearing their own versions now.”

Dancing Queen

While Queen of Sparkles Jaime Glas Odom is not a former member of the Tiger Girls, her love for LSU runs deep. Named as one of this year’s Distinguished Alumni, Odom is not just an LSU graduate but a dedicated member of the LSU community, working with various departments for the betterment of the university and its programs. This love for the school, paired with her status as a popular designer specializing in the type of sparkling creations that seem made for the floor of a dance competition, made Odom an obvious choice for a collaboration with the Tiger Girls.

Queen of Sparkles designer Jaime Glas Odom collaborates with the Tiger Girls to create competition costumes that outshine the other teams.

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“Jaime had just done something with athletics, maybe a blinged-out jacket for someone, and it made us think to reach out to her,” Hale says, noting that she had been working on the team’s Michael Jackson-themed “Smooth Criminal” costumes with little luck. “She was immediately in, and from the very beginning, we knew it was the perfect fit.”

With what Hale says is one of the

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Can we remove Top of the Teche and put the Sunset Herb & Garden Fest in?

Sept - Nov Events

fais-dodo, two-step, cook, paddle the bayou, and do just about a bit of everything. Find your favorite festival, celebration, outdoor event, or music concert.

Louisiana’s unofficial state bird, the mosquito, with a cook-off, arts and crafts vendors, a silent auction, a kid’s area, and live music by Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns plus many more.

Celebrate Louisiana’s Creole heritage with a special focus on the French language along with a boucherie and cooking event as well as French demonstrations on preparing staple creole foods like cracklins and boudin.

October 9-11 |

November 6-7 | Festival of Words

the

workshops hosted by published authors, and “drive-by poetry.” Enjoy a reading and Q&A with authors, including Poet Laureate

November 12-15 | Cracklin Festival

September 5 | Original SW LA Zydeco Music

The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival is the perfect opportunity to dance to your favorite zydeco musicians.

Celebrate

Experience stories from the past from the ghosts who lived them as you tour this centuries-old cemetery in Opelousas.

Celebrate

written word with open mics, creative writing

Darrell Bourque.

October 3 | Creole Culture Day

The public is the judge as pastry chefs and home cooks vie to be the best in the sweet dough pie contest. Also browse arts and crafts vendors and dance to live music.

Shop for bargains on vintage, antique, and primitive items from over 200 vendors at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Fair in Washington.

Semi-Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale

Sample fresh-made, deep-fried cracklins, dance to Cajun and Zydeco musicians, shop arts and crafts vendors, and ride carnival rides at this festival in Port Barre.

Oct. 10,11,17,18 | Cemetery Tours & Historical Reenactments

October 31

Sweet Dough Pie Festival

most diverse collegiate dance teams, finding a costume that fits every member perfectly is no small feat. Through a three to four-month process, Hale and Odom work together to perfect a vision. Starting with a Canva inspiration board created by Hale and her team, the costumes slowly come to life, with special attention paid to the needs of the dancers and to each movement in a given routine’s choreography.

“We do a lot of filming throughout the process,” Hale says. “We always dance in the costumes when we get them because it is really important how they move. You want to be able to see all of the moves and choreography—it has to be visual.”

It’s not always functionality that wins out, though. For example, the Kendrick Lamar-themed costumes from last year’s UDA competition featured multiple layers and 6½-lb. cargo pants. “Most of the stuff Jaime makes for us is actual stones, not sequins,” Hale says. “It gets heavy.”

But according to Hale, it’s worth

all the extra practice and her own loss of sleep as she pores over each tiny detail.

“Our choreographers say they always feel bad for the other teams because we are the best dressed,” Hale says with a laugh. “Jaime is such a fan of us, and we’re huge fans of her. It’s such an honor to be able to work with her.”

One for the Books

Long after a football season’s conclusion or the trophy ceremony of a competition, the creations of these local designers will stand as a testament to the commitment and love of the alumni who brought them to life. With each new season, costume and uniform, these alumni, coaches and teams are adding their own chapters to the rich history of LSU and establishing a legacy that will shape the way LSU’s dance teams continue into the future. They are creating the source material for the next generation of Tigers, and they are safeguarding the traditions that make LSU great.

Louisiana talent. Louisiana innovation. Louisiana impact.

Transforming cancer care for Louisiana and beyond

From groundbreaking cancer research to expanding access to clinical trials, LSU researchers and physicians are transforming cancer care across our state. Today, the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center is building toward a historic goal: Louisiana’s first National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center. This effort will bring more research funding, attract top scientific talent, expand innovative treatment options, and help ensure that Louisiana patients can access world-class cancer care without leaving home. Because Louisiana deserves nothing less.

Grab accessories from these Baton Rouge shops to complete your Tiger fan ensemble BY

CATHERINE CLEMENT // PHOTO BY COLLIN RICHIE

IN LOUISIANA, any tailgate, sporting event or post-game party is worth dressing up for.

For Tiger gamedays, you can’t go wrong with purple and gold, but we know for some fans, more is more. Want to show your Tiger pride this season? We scoured local shops to curate a collection of gameready accessories fit for any fan who wants to wear their stripes—or sporty ballcaps or flashy tassel earrings.

1. Football clear bag, $44.95, Fleurty Girl

2. Wallet in purple by Jardine, $24.98, Barnes & Noble LSU Mascot Factory Custom Ears headband, $14.98, Barnes & Noble LSU

Cindy's Creations medium bow, $8.98, Barnes & Noble LSU ‘47 NCAA Baserunner 2T Clean Up hat, $34.98, Barnes & Noble LSU

No Rivals Upside Down Tigers hat, $39.98, Barnes & Noble LSU

3. Taylor Shaye “Mike the Tiger” drop earrings, $32, Bella Bella Boutique

Sweet Caroline “Mini Bow” adjustable bracelet, $34, Bella Bella Boutique

Purple and gold hair clip, $24, Bella Bella Boutique

Purple tassel sequin earrings, $38, Bella Bella Boutique

4. LSU Tigers Society wrap-around shield frame sunglasses, $33, Bengals & Bandits

5. My Sweet Baton Rouge can cooler, $4, Sweet Baton Rouge

6. Victory Lap purple and gold “Sideline” scarf, $45, Wanderlust by Abby

L. Ellis Designs “Baton Rouge” button, $10, Wanderlust by Abby 5 4 6 1 2 3

L. Ellis Designs “Tiger’s Eye” button, $10, Wanderlust by Abby

L. Ellis Designs “Alumni” button, $10, Wanderlust by Abby

Aligned For The Long Game

Douglas Dupont reads the line before he ever takes the swing, the same way he listens before he ever talks business. Here at BSF, the best work happens through patience, persistence, and a team that stays with you through every season; lining up the right move, then helping you follow through.

That’s not a transaction, that’s a relationship and it’s how we’ve built trust for nearly 50 years.

Taking the shot is EVP/Market President Douglas Dupont with AVP/Loan O cer Mac Field, Sr. Loan Portfolio Analyst Steven Sanchez and Commercial Loan O cer Jake Vascocu.

Death Valley DIVAS

“It really blows me away how much joy just putting on a costume and a cape brings to people.”

–Cassondra Glausier

A SHARED LOVE of costumes, sparkles and LSU athletics solidified the friendship of Aimee Adair Eikel and Cassondra Glausier, and the two fans have been turning heads at sporting events with their festive gameday attire ever since.

Both lifelong fans of LSU sports, Eikel and Glausier had been attending games and tailgates dressed in their best purple and gold garb for years when their flashy style and homemade accessories caught the attention of the LSU Athletic Department and they were chosen to be part of the Cox Ultimate Fan Experience promotion in 2024.

For one home football game, the two joined the Tiger Marching Band in leading the team down Victory Hill and watched the Tigers play from the sideline. Naturally, the pair decided to show out for this special gameday. Glausier made golden capes and purchased sequined band hats to top their outfits, and she says the experience was one she won’t forget.

“We were trying to be silly, but we just both had so much fun because we were doing what we love,” Glausier says. “We’re bringing joy to people; we’re costuming, and for a minute it’s like it’s just the power of play. We’re having fun and not worrying about daily life for a couple of hours.”

This opportunity gained the pair more attention. Glausier says fans often approached them at sporting events, recognizing them from social media. Even fans of opposing teams came up to say hello, compli-

ment their outfits or take a photo.

The women didn’t want to let this attention go to waste. As the self-coined “unofficial sports ambassadors of LSU,” they decided to match the hype they were receiving and make their group Facebook official. Death Valley Divas was a perfect fit for a name, Glausier says.

“[Diva] is an empowering term. It’s showing that we love our sports, but we’re also strong women who want to support our teams across the board,” she says.

And the Divas are still going and growing. Over the past three years, they have attended two College World Series, seen the football Tigers beat Clemson at Memorial Stadium in South Carolina, and traveled to Las Vegas for the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic.

They have also added eye-catching accessories to their costumes. Glausier says she loves sourcing unique pieces from local businesses and expressing her creativity through DIY projects like a headpiece reminiscent of Tiger Stadium itself. Her collection of pins, boots, hats, sunglasses and other details grows each year, as the Divas wear a different outfit for each game they attend.

While collecting fabulous clothing is fun in itself, the true joy for these Divas comes from interacting with fans and reaching out to the community. This year, the pair is launching a “Diva for a Day” initiative, in which a different “Aspiring Diva” will join them for a pre-game celebration at every home game this fall.

“We just want to inspire other young ladies or women to get involved with sports,” Glausier says. “Whatever team you root for, be there and support them through thick and thin.”

—CATHERINE CLEMENT

Aimee Adair

Eikel (left) and Cassondra Glausier

COLLIN RICHIE

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College CORE

Dorm décor goes well beyond the basics for design-savvy LSU students and their parents

BY SADIE BOZEMAN

STATEMENT RUGS SPRAWLED out on the floor. Local artwork leaning against the walls. Power strips and cabinets and curtains. With hours of work ahead of them, the only thing that will make it bearable is protection from the Louisiana heat by tons of ice water and fans. Such describes dorm move-in day at LSU.

The days of minimally decorating a dorm room only to survive the semester are over. Today, students hunger for dorms that express their personalities and make them feel at home. How do they create such a space? We talked to two moms of current LSU students to find out.

Shelby Salles' room at LSU's Azalea Hall

“Our goal was to make it as homey as possible,” says Andree Braud Leddy of designing her two daughters’ dorm rooms at LSU. She used the Facebook group Dorm Rooms and Beyond to gather ideas, and she relied upon Tiny Abode Interiors, owned by a friend, to help execute the girls’ specific visions.

Andree found that a rug guided the decorations in both dorms. In addition, her oldest daughter, Anna Clare, discovered a painting by her sixth-grade teacher, Krista Redmond, who is also an artist. “That drove her vision,” Andree says.

For Anna Clare’s dorm room in Annie Boyd Hall, Leddy covered up the brown built-in closets with Amazon ruffled curtain panels. Anna Clare centered her room around a turquoise, orange and pink color palette, which she matched with her roommate.

“Mary Cate wanted lavender from day one,” says Andree of her second daughter, who moved into Evangeline Hall last fall. Rather than matching décor, Mary Cate and her roommate agreed to a

complementary color palette of lavender and pink. Andree helped her create an under-the-bed space by attaching tension rods and curtains to the bed. With a half-futon, this space became an extra hangout in Mary Cate’s room, and another half-futon could be added for friends spending the night.

Both girls used Essentials by Eden hutches and pillows from Etsy and Laura Park to personalize their rooms. “Pretty much everything else came from Amazon,” says Andree.

Anna Clare and Mary Cate relied upon space-saving rolling carts to store makeup and hair tools. Other decorations will prove functional beyond their original home in the dorm—both girls will move into the new Delta Zeta house with items such as their Dutch Euro pillows.

“We loved everything,” says Andree, reflecting on the dorm decorating experience. “I did ask my oldest when it came time for the youngest if there was anything she wished we did differently, and she said no!”

Andree Braud Leddy helped her daughters Mary Cate and Anna Clare decorate their rooms to suit their personalities.

An abstract painting with swatches of pink, blue, and gold served as inspiration for Stefini Salles as she helped her daughter Shelby decorate her room in Azalea Hall. She centered the space around the painting’s color palette as well as Shelby’s love for frills.

Stefini, inspired by Pinterest and other dorm rooms, worked with Tamara Wingerter, a Mississippi-based dorm decorating consultant and cofounder of the Dorm Rooms and Beyond group. Tamara designed a vision board and directed Stefini to specific items that would bring her vision to life. Shelby’s dorm room featured a white hutch and nightstand complemented by gold accents. Her bed was draped with a pink blanket and monogrammed pillows to create a personalized flair.

“Tamara did a great job of picking the bedding, the decorative pillows and the rug to

coordinate with the artwork,” says Stefini, who added other unique decorations picked up in local stores. Stefini concedes that Shelby and her roommate had their disagreements over details, so they decided to dress each side of the room in a way that complemented the other without being too matchy. Stefini and Shelby consider the dorm project a resounding success that actualized Shelby’s vision perfectly.

“Sydney prefers a more simplistic design,” Stefini explains of her second daughter, who moves into Azalea Hall this fall. Sydney’s room will focus on minimalist blues and greens, with less frill than Shelby’s. Stefini looks forward to helping Sydney decorate even as she reflects on the wonderful time she had decorating Shelby’s room. “It was definitely a great experience helping Shelby create her dream room,” says Stefini. “It was fun to share that experience with her.”

Armed with a vision board (right) by Dorm Rooms and Beyond, Stefini Salles filled her daughter's room with girly touches.

Housing HACKS

We asked LSU parents Stefini Salles and Andree Braud Leddy for some tips on dorm room decoration:

Get started early. “I suggest starting to think about it in January,” says Stefini. “By March, have your vision board completed and start buying things a little at a time.”

Coordinate with roommates in advance. “Definitely make sure your daughter and her roommate are on the same page,” advises Stefini.

Start from the ground up. with a rug,” Andree says. “It will help you figure out the rest.”

Follow your child’s lead. your student about what they want,” says Andree. “They will surprise you!”

ASK THE EXPERT

Wade Evans, Mayor of the City of Central

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY THIS YEAR, AND WHY?

To continue our robust road rehab schedule and replace the surface of our local roadway surfaces. My goal is for our citizens to not have to dodge potholes. Continued investment in our infrastructure as it relates to roads and drainage will remain a top priority for my administration, and is the best economic development tool we can utilize.

WHAT PROJECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?

The completion of city hall is top of mind. We have been a city for twenty years and we finally have planted our own roots as a city. Having a place to provide the necessary services for our citizens, and have a hub for neighborhood HOAs and other civic groups in Central to use is a great added benefit. In addition, with our collaboration with the School System to develop the site, we have created an anchor for our mainstreet.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE MAKES OUR COMMUNITY UNIQUE, AND HOW CAN RESIDENTS HELP KEEP IT THAT WAY?

Central is unique because it has always been a bedroom community for the people that work in the greater Baton Rouge area. It is a community that embodies the values of Faith, Family, and Education, in that order. Our motto is “A community that cares” and the people always come together to help in times of need.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY?

Come to our city council meetings. Celebrate with us at community events or during high school sports season. We do litter clean-up events, and community prayer gatherings. Stay in tune through our website at Central-la. gov and be a part of the community.

LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS?

We are working to bring the Mainstreet 2030 vision to life. I would like to get the regional flood projects completed and see our downtown take shape. We want to continue to grow our business community and be a hub for smaller corporate headquarters because our workforce development and education can provide what companies need to staff up, and can enjoy a great quality of life with great schools.

Death Valley DINING

Find a taste of Louisiana inside Tiger Stadium

BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

OVER THE YEARS, the food vendors inside Tiger Stadium have become as creative as the tailgaters outside, serving all manner of gametime noshes that riff on Louisiana’s emblematic food culture or borrow from other culinary traditions.

Many fans look forward to returning favorites. A line routinely sprawls in front of Tre’s Street Kitchen on the North Lower Level. Patrons are willing to wait for the concept’s top-selling birria nachos, Philly cheesesteaks, pulled pork sliders with Cajun slaw, and burgers slathered with Tre’s Street Sauce. The Baton Rouge concept has been a Tiger Stadium vendor since 2022.

“It’s a really hot section. We have a good clientele,” owner Tremaine Devine says. “We always have 200 to 300 people in line at once, and they don’t stop. I mean, they do not stop.”

Death Valley’s dozens of food vendors include familiar national brands like Chick-fil-A, Papa Johns and Peach Cobbler Factory, but most are local concepts or caterers run by grassroots operators like Devine.

Over the last decade or so, LSU has invited more local concepts to vend on game day.

Some, like Devine, are recruited through the LSU AgCenter culinary incubator Foodii. Devine was bottling his signature Tre’s Street Sauce at the campus facility when he was asked to consider becoming a gameday concessioner.

“We said, ‘Of course we would,’” Devine recalls.

Tre’s Street Kitchen started as a food truck in 2020, morphing into physical locations in the student centers of both LSU and the Baton Rouge Community College. Tre’s Street Sauce is even sold in the Paradies Gift Shop inside the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.

Since most vendors can’t actually cook inside Tiger Stadium, they bring foods prepared offsite. It’s a herculean effort. Devine and his team start prepping a few days before each home game, getting up early on gameday to transport stacks of catering trays to their booth.

And fans are grateful. The birria nachos are made from short ribs slow-braised for 16 hours. Tender, shredded beef tops a bed of tortilla chips and is doused with homemade five-cheese bechamel sauce and Tre’s Street Sauce, then topped with fresh cilantro and pickled red onion.

“We can’t keep it in stock,” Devine says. “We go into the stadium with about 800 servings, and we sell out.”

His Philly cheesesteak is made with ribeye, tri-colored peppers, provolone and five-cheese bechamel stuffed into a legit Philly roll made by Amoroso’s Baking Co. The company’s bread is considered an essential element by the sandwich’s biggest fans, Devine says.

“If we don’t have that bread, we don’t sell it,” he says.

Elsewhere in the stadium, other thoughtfully constructed dishes and products tempt the Tiger Nation and visiting fans, including artisan bottled beverages by Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade and gourmet flavored popcorn by Posh Pop. Both are Foodii tenants.

Still hungry? Baton Rouge restaurants will be there, too. Sample wings from Louisiana concept KOK Wings & Things, chargrilled oysters from Drago’s Restaurant, and margaritas and nachos from a joint operation by La Carreta Mid City and Veracruz.

Fan fare

Your stomach has to make it through four quarters. Here’s a partial list of the food vendors you can find in Tiger Stadium this fall. For updates, drink vendors and specific locations, visit lsusports.net.

1924 Grill

Tiger Dog, Cajun burger, Bayou Burger, LSU Dairy Store ice cream

Cajun Classic

Jambalaya, alligator poboy, soft drinks, water, beer

Cajun Classics

Crawfish nachos, jambalaya, jumbo Cajun dog, mixed drinks and beer

Cajun Corner

Chicken and sausage jambalaya, alligator po-boy

Cajun & Crafts

Crawfish cornbread, Afta da Boil Dog, Bayou Dog, Cajun burger, Tiger Dog, craft beer, soda, water

Chick-fil-A

Chicken sandwich, soft drinks, water

Dippin’ Dots

Ice cream

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant

Char-grilled oysters

Fish Fry

Jambalaya, fried fish and other Cajun classics

Great American Cookie

Cookie cake slices

KOK Wings & Things

10-piece boneless wings with fries

Kona Ice

Shaved ice

Lucky Dog

Jumbo Lucky Dog, chili Lucky Dog

Papa Johns

Personal pizzas, soft drinks

Peach Cobbler

Factory

Cobblers, banana pudding, cinnamon rolls, Pudd-N Shakes

Posh Pop

Cheesy Cheddar Bomb

popcorn, Cajun Critter

popcorn, Kettle Me

Baby popcorn

Queen Eats

Loaded nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, beef hot dogs

Tenders, Love & Chicken

Chicken tenders, fries, hamburgers, hot dogs, beer, soft drinks and water

Tiger Classics

Tiger Dogs, hamburgers, smoked sausage, assorted snacks, soft drinks and water

Tiger Twist

Cinnamon and sugar pretzels, pretzel nachos, LSU Dairy Store ice cream

Tre’s Street Kitchen

Birria nachos, Philly cheesesteaks, pulled pork sliders with Cajun slaw, hamburgers and hot dogs

Late-night nosh

BY TRACEY KOCH //

Skip delivery and prepare this fast-food-inspired post-game snack instead

FOOTBALL IS BACK, and LSU fans are excited for the highly anticipated 2026 season. Folks all across Louisiana are gearing up for the spirited revelry that comes with LSU football games and the equally popular attraction before the game, tailgating. I have written countless recipes on this subject, and though I am by no means a tailgating expert, I absolutely appreciate and respect the amount of thought, planning and effort that goes into a well-executed tailgate.

While brainstorming for this article, I thought about all of the delicious dishes that are created

season after season, and it dawned on me that tailgating food gets more involved and elaborate every year. For decades, LSU tailgates have been known to serve gumbo brimming with rich roux-based broth filled with spicy sausages and chicken, or vats of jambalaya. However, nowadays, in addition to these traditional Louisiana dishes, tailgaters like to snack on dishes like boudin eggrolls, jalapeño cream cheese stuffed duck breast poppers, and crawfish nachos. I must say… LSU fans have tailgating down to a science.

Thinking about this made me realize: What could I possibly add to this time-honored tradition

that hasn’t already been done?

Then it hit me: What I know even better than tailgating is how to manage hungry football fans after the game. I have over 30 years of experience in this area, with my family arriving home after the game exhausted from the day and suffering from postgame, late-night munchies. The last place anyone wants to be in this situation is in a long line at a drive-thru or waiting over an hour for DoorDash or the pizza guy.

To solve this problem, I make sure to have something on hand that can be quickly heated up to feed my weary football fans. The dish I like to serve to satisfy the

late-night munchies is an easy homemade recipe that’s a riff on a Taco Bell Crunchwrap. I use lean ground beef or turkey simmered in taco seasoning and layer on a baking sheet along with tortillas, queso and tostada shells. Once it is all folded together, it bakes in the oven to a crisp and golden brown. I cut the crunch wrap into slices and serve it with shredded lettuce, guacamole and taco sauce. This crunch wrap is the ultimate late-night snack food but can also be a delicious addition to any football tailgate or viewing party. This easy and tasty dish will make you the MVP of your kitchen. Geaux Tigers!

PHOTO BY AMY SHUTT

After-the-Game-Munchies

Crunch Wrap

Yield: 6 servings

2 Tbsp. avocado oil or olive oil

¼ cup chopped onion

1 clove mince garlic

1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey

1 packet taco seasoning

¼ cup water

1 Tbsp. chipotle paste

9 large flour tortillas

1 (15-oz.) jar white queso dip

6 tostada shells

1 cup light sour cream

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

½ cup chopped pickled jalapeños

½ chopped green onions

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 Tbsp. melted butter

Shredded lettuce, guacamole and taco sauce for serving

Heat avocado or olive oil in a large nonstick skillet, and sauté onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add ground meat and continue sautéing until meat is no longer pink and is cooked through. Drain meat and return it to skillet. Add packet of taco seasoning, along with ¼ cup water and chipotle paste, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow meat to cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil. Place 6 flour tortillas along the sides of baking sheet, allowing half of each tortilla to fall over edge of baking sheet. Place 2 more tortillas down the middle to cover bottom of the baking sheet. Pour jar of white queso over flour tortilla layer and spread it out evenly. Next, spoon taco meat evenly over queso.

Divide sour cream between 6 tostada shells and spread it evenly over the shells. Top taco meat with tostada shells, making sure the sour cream side is facing down and touching meat to create the next layer. Finish the layers with chopped tomatoes followed by chopped jalapeños and chopped green onions, and top everything with grated cheddar cheese.

Lay the last tortilla in the middle of cheese layer, then carefully fold edges of tortillas toward the middle to cover the wrap up completely. Brush top of wrap with melted butter, and place another baking sheet on top of crunch wrap to press it down and keep it sealed as it bakes.

Bake crunch wrap for 25 minutes, then remove baking sheet from top. Continue baking for another 5 to 7 minutes or until crunch wrap is crisp and golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve with shredded lettuce, guacamole and your favorite taco sauce.

ASK THE EXPERT

Hess Crocket, General Sales Manager Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge

EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT INNOVATION. WHAT IS

MERCEDES-BENZ

DOING TODAY THAT PEOPLE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT TOMORROW?

Mercedes-Benz has always believed true innovation isn’t about adding more technology; it’s about making technology feel effortless. The S-Class has long been the vehicle where the future debuts first, and that tradition continues today. A perfect example is heated seatbelts. It’s a feature most people never think to ask for until they experience it, making cold mornings noticeably more comfortable. It’s a simple idea, but it reflects the Mercedes-Benz philosophy of improving even the smallest details. Every innovation is designed with one goal in mind: making every day driving more enjoyable, intuitive, and refined.

IF SOMEONE HAS NEVER OWNED A MERCEDES-BENZ BEFORE, WHAT’S THE ONE THING THAT SURPRISES THEM THE MOST?

Most first-time owners say it’s how quickly luxury becomes their new normal. They immediately notice the quiet cabin, the confidence behind the wheel, and the craftsmanship that surrounds them every time they open the door. The technology feels intuitive, anticipating their needs instead of forcing them to learn complicated systems. These thoughtful touches become part of everyday life, and they’re often what owners miss most when driving anything else. Once you’ve experienced a Mercedes-Benz, it’s difficult to imagine settling for less.

SCHOOL GUIDE

Choosing the right opportunities for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Whether it’s finding the right school, after school activity, childcare provider, or trusted family resource, today’s landscape offers more choices than ever.

225’s School Guide connects families with

From Tragedy To Purpose : Caroline Grace Gill Foundation Works To Make Louisiana Roads Safer

When Jason Gill lost his 15-year-old daughter, Caroline Grace Gill, in a tragic police pursuit crash on New Year’s Eve 2022, he faced the unimaginable challenge of moving forward while honoring her memory. Rather than allowing grief to define his family’s future, he chose to channel it into a mission focused on preventing similar tragedies.

Today, the Caroline Grace Gill Foundation is working to improve public safety by supporting law enforcement agencies with the tools, technology and training they need to better protect the communities they serve. As a registered 501(c)(3), the foundation’s mission is to assist, educate and equip agencies in ways that benefit both officers and the public.

“I wanted to do something where my daughter’s name would be remembered,” Gill says. “If I can save one person’s life, then I’ve done my part.”

Rather than focusing solely on the circumstances surrounding Caroline’s death, Gill has concentrated on solutions. One of the foundation’s primary initiatives is helping law enforcement agencies implement Digital Siren by Pursuit Alert, a technology that alerts nearby drivers through a smartphone app when emergency vehicles

or high-speed pursuits are in the area.

Gill compares the system to an Amber Alert for emergencies. Citizens receive notifications advising them to use caution, giving them an opportunity to avoid dangerous situations while also creating safer conditions for responding officers.

The technology has already been installed in agencies including the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Brusly Police Department. Gill hopes to continue expanding the program across Louisiana and eventually beyond.

Beyond technology, the foundation is also advocating for enhanced driver training for law enforcement officers. Gill believes that because officers spend every day behind the wheel, additional defensive driving education is an important investment in community safety.

“We drive vehicles every day,” he says. “A vehicle can be just as deadly as a firearm.”

The foundation’s efforts extend beyond equipment purchases. Gill has worked alongside state leaders to support legislation that strengthens law enforcement training and funding opportunities. Every initiative is guided by one goal: reducing risk for everyone on the road while fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT MAKES THOSE EFFORTS POSSIBLE

On Sept. 17, the foundation will host its First Annual Golf Tournament at The Island Golf Club in Plaquemine. Businesses and individuals are invited to participate through sponsorships, player registrations or donations. Proceeds will help fund technology, training and other resources that allow law enforcement agencies to operate more safely and effectively.

For Gill, each fundraiser represents another opportunity to transform personal loss into lasting impact.

“I don’t want another family to have to go through what we went through,” he says. “I think we can do better, as citizens, as law enforcement and as communities.”

To learn more about the Caroline Grace Gill Foundation, register for the golf tournament or make a donation, visit cggfoundation.org.

LSU'S FREE STUDENT RESOURCES

Mind over major

BY AVA BORSKEY

Higher ed looks to a higher purpose with targeted wellness and mental health offerings

WHEN DR. VALARAY Irvin

was a student at Southern University, the campus didn’t have a counseling center. In the late ’90s, she returned to her alma mater as a licensed psychologist and helped start one.

“I think most institutions now will acknowledge that mental health and well-being is a major player in terms of the students that they’re servicing,” Irvin says. “I think most of us are now seeing it as a must.”

Studies have shown a rise in stress and anxiety among young people. The Healthy Minds

Study, a project by the University of Michigan, UCLA and other post-secondary institutions, annually surveys college students about mental health topics. In 2025, the study found that 37% of students reported moderate to severe depression and nearly one-third experienced moderate to severe anxiety. Furthermore, over half of the students surveyed had received some form of mental health counseling or therapy throughout their lifetime.

Mental health services come in many shapes and forms, from traditional types of counseling like therapy to holistic approaches like yoga to modern advances like apps

and technologies.

Colleges and universities in Baton Rouge are approaching mental health services on all fronts and with all the resources they can derive.

Safe haven

Baton Rouge Community College’s Safe Space makes it possible for students to take a relaxing 10-minute trip to the beach without ever leaving campus.

The Safe Space is part of BRCC’s newly renovated Counseling and Accessibility Center. It houses the college’s licensed counselors, a meditation room and a relaxation pod.

BRCC’s new Safe Space gives students high- and lowtech ways to get grounded, including a relaxation pod.

The relaxation pod, sometimes called a wellness pod, is an immersive technology designed to reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Students can recline inside the pod and customize its settings to fit their needs.

“Based off what you choose to do, you see it on this big screen,” Dr. LaCrystal Wilson-Johnson, a BRCC counselor who has been with the school for nearly a decade, describes the pod. “If I pick that I want to be on the beach, I can hear the ocean waves. I can smell the ocean.”

The pod has aromatherapy features, a heating pad and more. Wilson-Johnson has used the pod’s

guided morning meditation sessions and says many students and faculty are repeat visitors.

The wellness pod is open to all students, regardless of other counseling or accessibility needs, and so is its anxiety-reducing counterpart, the meditation room.

The meditation room is perfect for moments when students may not have the time or desire for a full counseling session but still need a quiet space to decompress or study. The meditation room features a comfy couch and beanbag chair. Students can customize the brightness and color of the light fixtures and play music.

“I’ve noticed students are really happy to come, and they want to come back,” Lawless says. “It becomes a part of their fabric of being a college student.”

Talking Tigers

In a world where we’re technologically more linked than ever before, it can be difficult to create and maintain meaningful connections in real life.

It’s something Raime Thibodeaux, director of LSU’s Mental Health Service, has noticed. The “click and move on” culture of social media constantly pushes people to the next highlight reel, minimizing life’s in-between moments and inhibiting the attention needed to truly be present with others.

bracelet making, to quite literally craft connections with fellow students. Process groups, on the other hand, offer more freeform conversation that follows whatever the group members bring. Typically including five to 10 members, process groups create a face-to-face setting that encourages students to process their emotions and contribute their own thoughts and ideas.

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BRCC’s Safe Space is designed to welcome students from all backgrounds and demographics, whether newly turned 18-year-olds or nontraditional students returning to their studies. The area is a big step toward normalizing mental health services—and the counselors on campus, like Wilson-Johnson and Dr. Alexandra Lawless, are seeing its positive effects.

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“A big focus or advantage of groups is the idea of normalizing

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and validating the human experience and making it safe,” Thibodeaux says.

LSU offers two main types of group options: psycho-educational workshops and process groups. Psycho-educational workshops, or seminars, offer structured conversation with a set pace and educational component. Topics from previous semesters included anxiety management, emotional resilience and even friendship

As opposed to the one-on-one interaction of individual therapy, group therapy offers a variety of perspectives and feedback. Although it may be intimidating at first, Thibodeaux says that when students are brave enough to be vulnerable, they often find others who have experienced similar situations or struggles and better realize the common experiences in their community.

“I truly believe the way forward for us as humans is going to be to have that sense of deep presence and connection with other people,” Thibodeaux says.

LSU Mental Health Service director Raime Thibodeaux

COURTESYLSU

ALL THINGS, GREAT LOVE

Welcome to the Bluff

While some students seek out campus mental health services, others may never step foot into the university counseling center or even think to schedule an appointment. Campus outreach programs, like interactive wellness events, can give all students a touchpoint with university counseling.

Stephenne Calhoun, a licensed professional counselor and outreach coordinator at Southern University, strategically plans wellness events around the campus calendar.

It all kicks off on move-in day with the Campus Crawl. Staff from SU’s Counseling Center fill the dorm halls with hangtags and venture out to greet new freshmen and their parents.

Welcome events continue a couple weeks later with the Jaguar Mindfulness Mixer. This annual event connects SU’s campus with community partners, like Louisiana Healthcare Connections and Baton Rouge Bridge Center

for Hope. Vendors set up booths, and the University Counseling Center hosts a DJ, hands out pizza and invites all to learn more about mental health.

“We want to always be meeting our students where they are,” Calhoun says. “We want to ease them into addressing these

Southern University’s Paws & Relax event included a range of activities from yoga to crafts.

therapy and more. Students can concoct their own sugar scrub or create their own stress ball.

“Of course, we’re talking to them about self-care and the things that they can do, but it’s in a very relaxed setting. And that’s the point,” Calhoun says. “Hopefully, these activities are things that they can do with us, but that they can also do when they’re away.”

concerns in a more social and comfortable way.”

At the end of the semester, the Paws & Relax wellness event once again invites Jaguars to be mindful, as they stop and decompress before finals. Here, the University Counseling Center offers activities, like painting, yoga, sound bowl

The key goal of these wellness events, and all college mental health services, is to help young people develop personal insights, coping strategies, problem-solving skills and emotional resilience so they can better achieve their goals in both the present and future.

“There is hope here,” Calhoun says. “We see that our students— even though they struggle with anxiety, depression—can actually go on to be great, successful individuals who are giving back to our country, who are giving back to our world.”

Month

FALL YOUTH + ADULT ATHLETIC LEAGUES REGISTRATION

Aug. 1-31

brec.org/athletics

KAYAKS + COFFEE

Blackwater Conservation Area

Aug. 4 + 25 | 10 a.m.-noon

MOUNTAIN BIKING 101

Sharon Hills Park

Aug. 6 + 20 | 6-7:30 p.m.

ZOO + ME MORNINGS

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

Aug. 8 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.

KAYAKING 101

Blackwater Conservation Area Aug. 12 | 6-7 p.m.

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER

Highland Road Park Observatory Aug. 12 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

SUNSHINE SOCIALS: GLOW + FLOW

Milton J. Womack Park Ballroom Aug. 21 | 6-9 p.m.

NATURE NIGHT HIKE + CAMPFIRE

Forest Community Park Aug. 21 | 8:30-9:30 p.m.

Stock up!

These free resources make life easier for LSU students

COLLEGE STUDENTS

have to balance classes, homework, extracurriculars, jobs and internships while also trying to care for themselves. For some, that struggle feels never-ending.

LSU’s Campus Life Office and the Olinde Career Center offer resources to help students meet their needs. Two of the most visible are the LSU Food Pantry and the Tailored Tiger Professional Clothing Closet.

According to Jennifer Cristina, manager of operations and the food pantry, the pantry served an average of 400 students daily during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Any current LSU student is eligible to grab supplemental groceries from the pantry in the student union once daily, Monday through Friday. Food collected from community partners—Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank—as well as direct donations—stock the shelves.

Preliminary data from a needs survey revealed that approximately 38% of LSU students have low or very low food security, nearly double the national average of 23%.

Cristina says this helps explain the pantry’s 22% increase in visitation since 2024.

“There’s a reason that college students living off of ramen is an old cliché,” Cristina says. “It’s never been easy. I think it’s especially hard right now, and I think us putting these [resources] in place is something I’m so proud of.”

The pantry partners with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to receive groceries from around the city. Donations from campus organizations and local businesses also help, but Cristina says the SEC Food Fight competition is the best way for the community to support them.

BY CATHERINE CLEMENT // PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE

Every spring, schools in the Southeastern Conference compete to collect the most money and donations for their food pantries. Last year, LSU raised over $10,000 and ranked third in the contest. Cristina says she wants to make this year’s competition the biggest yet and bring home first place.

“We saw how much people got behind the Jell-O shot challenge, and I want to transfer some of that competition to the Food Fight when we compete against the other schools,” Cristina says.

Another resource helping students succeed is the Tailored Tiger professional clothing closet, which provides LSU students with professional attire. Last year, 596 students shopped there.

Megan Elliott-Smith Rainwater, manager of Tailored Tiger and

operations manager at the LSU Olinde Career Center, says that professional clothing often feels daunting to students and young professionals.

Staff at Tailored Tiger assist visitors in choosing the right attire for their needs. They even fit suits and tailor minor fixes. All LSU students can pick out four clothing items per semester. The closet has dresses, blouses, trousers, blazers and suit jackets. Items come in a variety of sizes and can fit a student’s needs, whether they have an internship, a job interview, a presentation or a meeting to attend.

they want to be career-wise, and clothing is something so simple to think about, but something that can be really impactful,” Rainwater says.

Both the food pantry and the professional closet address specific, very important needs. Staff members at the Career Center and the Campus Life Office recognize that students often struggle in several different ways, and that some need more support than others. This is why the two departments collaborate to support students holistically.

This service aligns with the career center’s broader mission to prepare students to be career-ready upon graduation. In addition to the closet, the center also offers free headshot sessions and an internship fund.

“Our goal is to try and just remove barriers from students as much as we can when it comes to their career journey and getting to where

Cristina says working in the Campus Life Office has opened her eyes to challenges that she was unaware of in college. She says she is proud to work in this department, where everyone’s goal is to improve the lives of all LSU students.

“Everyone is here for the student, and we realize the student is more than what they show up as in the classroom,” Cristina says. “It’s more than their tuition coming in. We see them as people. We’ve all been there; we know the different kinds of struggles that a student can have.”

Jennifer Cristina, manager of LSU Food Pantry

Tailored Tiger's Megan Elliott-Smith Rainwater

CAPITAL CITY’S FINEST CAPITAL CITY’S FINEST

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 FRIDAY, 21, 2026

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 10101 Siegen Lane, 2A Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 769-9994

Season PASS

A preview of the Capital Region’s upcoming cultural season

BY JENNIFER TORMO ALVAREZ

ALL THE WORLD’S a stage, but the Capital Region is the only place to see many of the unique cultural productions unfolding here this season. Performing arts groups and venues reimagine familiar works with fresh perspectives, from The Nutcracker - A Tale from the Bayou to The Music of Star Wars. Others explore history from a modern lens, like Bridge in the Distance and 1984. Expect

a year of celebratory milestones, including River City Jazz Masters’ 20th anniversary and Of Moving Colors Productions’ 40th birthday. And above all, count on events steeped in Louisiana heritage, from the community-grown sounds of River City Jazz Masters to the locally written musical comedy Strings Attached. Here’s a look at the encore-worthy lineup:

Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

River City Jazz Masters rings in its 20th anniversary on Oct. 7, with Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez featuring percussionist Pedrito Martinez. The show is followed by trumpeter Wendell Brunious & The New Orleans Legends on Nov. 11, nine-time Grammy nominee The Tierney Sutton Band on Jan. 14, and Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra on April 7. The Arts Council keeps the music going year round, from its Batiste Legacy Sessions concert series on the third Wednesday of each month to a new outdoor festival and concert series in St. George set to debut later this year.

Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre

BRBT glides into fall with Lagniappe: Classical Masterpieces & Contemporary Visions on Oct. 1

Baton Rouge Magnet High. Holiday sugar plums get a Louisiana twist when the iconic local classic The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou prances into the River Center Theatre

Dec. 18-20 Mary Poppins brings another spoonful of sugar to the Baton Rouge Community College’s Magnolia Performing Arts Theatre

April 17-18

Broadway in Baton Rouge

The fun starts with Jersey Boys on Sept. 28, followed by the comedic whodunit Clue: Live on Stage! on Oct. 24. The spring lineup bends and snaps with Legally Blonde: The Musical on April 28, before concluding with the soulful, Tony Award-winning The Wiz on June 8

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra

Themed “From Darkness to Light,” BRSO’s season rides through historic milestones and pop culture moments alike. Its orchestral series features works like Ellis Island: The Dream of America on Sept. 17, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 on Nov. 12, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 on March 4, all before concluding in a galaxy far away with The Music of Star Wars on May 13. Enjoy Bach alongside brats and beer at the outdoor show Bachtoberfest. The Concerts in the Cosmos series returns to the Louisiana Art & Science Museum planetarium on Oct. 28-29 for “Family Fright Night.” Enjoy festive carols at St. Joseph Cathedral during Holiday Brass on

Cangelosi Dance Project

Designed to make dance accessible to all, Cangelosi Dance Project will bring ballet beyond the stage throughout November and December via its Community Connection Outreach Performance Program at local libraries, retirement communities, nursing homes, after-school programs, festivals and more.

Civic Orchestra of Baton Rouge

The volunteer-led nonprofit is set to stage several concerts at the Main Library at Goodwood this season. Spend an afternoon with the seven-year-old organization during shows on Oct. 25, Dec. 5, March 20 and June 5

Christian Youth Theater

Catch CYT’s last three Fiddler on the Roof shows Aug. 1-2 at LSU’s Shaver Theater, exploring themes of family, faith and tradition. Then follow the yellow brick road to The Wizard of Oz Nov. 5-7 as student actors take the stage at Abundant Life Church for their rendition of the classic.

JEREMY

DANIEL

Manship Theatre

The downtown venue is known for its indie film screenings, and it brings more to the box office with the Baton Rouge Irish Film Festival on Aug. 1 and The Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival Aug. 27-30. Winter summons holiday programming, including Hitmakers Come Home for the Holidays, a gathering of singer-songwriters on Dec. 29. Snag tickets for acts like comedian Sean Patton (Dec. 18) or concerts such as BoDeans (Sept. 16), The Lone Bellow (Oct. 4) and Orleans (March 6)

UpStage Theatre Company

Committed to celebrating Black artists and stories, the 24-year-old theater group takes center stage at Southern University’s Frank Hayden Theater Aug. 15Bridge in the Distance. Written by New Orleans native Clarence Holmes Jr., the play explores faith and justice against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement in 1966 in Selma, Alabama. Experience a night of poetry, comedy performances and more Star Night at the Mic!, hosted by comedian Aug. 2

Mid City Civic Theatre

The newest local performing arts group kicks off its fall season with Entr’Acte, a youth musical cabaret on . The event doubles as a fundraiser benefiting its Civic Conservatory youth training program. From , Dear Evan Hansen, a Tony Awardwinning musical exploring themes of adolescent mental health and grief, will unfold on the allvolunteer nonprofit’s main stage.

Of Moving Colors Productions

As OMC celebrates its 40th birthday, highlights include the Byrde’s Dancers Scholarship Luncheon in September, a collaborative Partner Works performance on Oct. 11, Love Revolution in collaboration with the Big Buddy Program in , and the immersive Legends Gala: Heroes & March. OMC will also continue its year-round outreach, such as its Dance for Parkinson’s – Baton Rouge program offering dance classes for people living with Parkinson’s and their caretakers.

LUCIANO

EYE WANDER PHOTO

BoDeans

The Lone Bellow

Opéra Louisiane

Delivering powerful voices and operatic storytelling, Opéra Louisiane’s fall season opens with Life, Liberty & Laughter: The American Dream in Operetta on Sept. 20, followed by American lyric tenor Matthew Polenzani and concert pianist Ken Noda on Nov. 13. Celebrate the holidays with Amahl & the Night Visitors Dec. 18-20. Learn why Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata became a global phenomenon May 14-16

Playmakers of Baton Rouge

The 44th season of this nonprofit professional theater group tailored to young audiences is tickled pink, launching with Legally Blonde Jr. Aug. 21-30. Expect a stylishly costumed cast to bring Elle Woods-worthy determination to LSU’s Reilly Theatre.

Red Magnolia Theatre Company

Join the expedition with Men on Boats, Jaclyn Backhaus’ comedic retelling of a “true-ish” 1869 Colorado River adventure. Catch the femalefocused community theater group tackling the bold and silly production Aug. 21-30 at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center.

Sullivan Theater

The volunteer-run theater wraps up its run of The Addams Family on Aug. 2. Next, journey to the underworld with Hadestown: Teen Edition Aug. 13-16. The spooks continue with Blithe Spirit Sept. 25-Oct. 4. Have a seat at the premiere of Strings Attached, a new musical comedy from two local writers, Oct. 16-25. Revel in the holidays with It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 4-13

LSU School of Theatre & Swine Palace

Catch a range of student productions from the LSU School of Theatre, including POTUS Sept. 24-Oct. 4 at Shaver Theatre and George Orwell’s dystopian 1984 Feb. 11-21 at the Reilly Theatre. Swine Palace’s season gets a Shakespearean start with A Midsummer Night’s Dream Nov. 12-22. It’s followed up by Lynn Nottage’s 20th-century New York drama Intimate Apparel April 8-18. Both shows take place at the Reilly Theatre. Watch for lots of other on-campus programming in between, including the Take 13 Film Festival on May 2

For the 16th year, celebrate art and culture from across the pond at the Baton Rouge Irish Film Festival at Manship Theatre, presented by the Baton Rouge Irish Club. Watch short and feature films, see Irish dancing performances, and vote for the best films. batonrougeirishfilmfestival.com

Compiled by Catherine Clement

Learn about the past and look to the future at the Old Governor’s Mansion. Retro to Robots takes guests on a journey through technological advancements with vintage typewriters, tour guide robots, 3D-printed souvenirs and more. laogm.org

14+15

The Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival features live music, food trucks and a fantastic view of hot air balloons in the sky at BREC's Zachary Community Park. Find it on Facebook.

Sip, snack, give back and help “knock out” multiple sclerosis. The Knock Out MS Gala at L’Auberge Casino Hotel is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser with live music by Rewind Band, a silent and live auction, a bourbon basket raffle and more. knockoutmsfoundation.com

Break a leg! 225 Theatre Collective hosts the Louisiana Theatre Festival, a full day of workshops, classes and performances at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center in downtown Baton Rouge. Find it on Facebook.

Kick off football season with the Ultimate Tailgate, a vendor event in Perkins Rowe hosted by Sweet Baton Rouge. Shop gamedayready items from local businesses and taste competitors’ creations at the jambalaya cookoff. sweetbatonrouge.com

Get ready to wine and dine at the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society’s Fête Rouge, a food and wine event featuring more than 30 competing culinary creations and over 250 world-class wines to try. epicbr.org

27-30

NEW ORLEANS

Aug. 1: White Linen Night, artsdistrictneworleans.com

Aug. 1+2: Satchmo SummerFest, frenchquarterfest.org/satchmo/ Aug. 8: Red Dress Run, noh3.com/RDR

Grab the popcorn and support local talent in the independent film scene at the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival at Manship Theatre. The fest features screenings, workshops, panels, networking and afterparties. batonrougeunderground.com 29

Indulge in nostalgia at Totally Rad Vintage Fest at the Raising Cane’s River Center . Shop for clothes, accessories, toys, games and home decor from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s. Then, take a break from shopping at the free-play vintage arcade and Rad Rewind Museum. raisingcanesrivercenter.com

Subscribe to our newsletter 225 Daily for our twice-weekly roundups of events. 225batonrouge.com/225daily

ACADIANA

Aug. 9: Acadian Culture Day, bayouvermiliondistrict.org

Aug. 12-16: Delcambre Shrimp Fest, shrimpfestival.net Aug. 15: Fête-Dieu du Teche, fetedieuduteche.org

“People ask me, ‘What does a successful teacher or a successful student look like?’ I always say, ‘They should look joyful.’”

Sarah Schnauder

SARAH SCHNAUDER makes learning fun for hundreds of summer campers, preschoolers and elementary schoolers in Baton Rouge.

In 2015, Schnauder founded Kid Possible summer camps at Jefferson United Methodist Church. She had noticed a gap in Baton Rouge’s summer program options and decided to fill it by creating a program that had it all: accessibility, fun and learning. What started as a camp for 12 children per week has turned into a program spanning three locations that hosted over 1,400 kids this summer.

Kid Possible provided Schnauder with many opportunities, including becoming director of the preschool at Jefferson United Methodist Church. What she did not expect, however, was requests from parents to open her own school. She turned down the idea for many years until a former school principal approached her with a framework that aligned perfectly with Schnauder’s philosophy.

“We were not building a school that was exclusive. We were not building a school for only one type of student.” Schnauder says.

The Link School, a small private elementary school on a property behind Broadmoor United Methodist Church, was the result of the women’s brainstorming. The school opened in 2023 and surpassed the founders’ expectations in its first year. Schnauder says she was proud that half of the students enrolled qualified for free school lunches, and more than 40 percent qualified for IEP services.

The Link School’s success inspired Schnauder to begin her next project, Harvest Commons, a charter school for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade opening this fall at the downtown site of the former South Boulevard Elementary School. The Kid Possible camps also laid the groundwork for Harvest Commons. The camps use a social-emotional learning model based on the book Fill . In this model, learning is centered around the core concepts of respect, kindness and empathy.

Harvest Commons’ environment will be similar to Kid Possible camps, with a few key differences. The new school’s main feature is a hands-on learning farm entirely operated by classes. Children will learn by doing—growing, harvesting and selling produce from the farm.

In all her endeavors, Schnauder’s goal is to help children succeed. She explains what a successful student looks like at Harvest Commons: “Someone empathetic, someone who is a high performer in the classroom,” she says. “They know how to ask for what they need. They can self-advocate. And those are all really important skills that, as they head into middle school, they can spread across

CATHERINE CLEMENT

life moves fast life moves fast

From afternoons in the backyard to busy weekends filled with sports, Dr. Nathaniel Rawicki knows that family life doesn't slow down. As the father of three young children, he understands how important it is to stay active and be there for every milestone.

At The Spine Center of Louisiana, Dr. Rawicki specializes in helping patients move beyond back and neck pain with advanced minimally invasive spine surgery, so they can get back to the moments that matter most.

225 Magazine [August 2026]

Tigers

AWARD-WINNING FOOD. UNFORGETTABLE GATHERINGS.

What’s

Home

Taste

Thrive

Keeping up with Kiffin

Grass roots

We’ve got spirit

Bella’s Ball

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What ,s up August

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Lots to taco bout

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The daily grind

Takes the cake

Secret sips

Around 225

Peak performance

into Game Day with Geisha

hidden gems HILL’S

MAKE IT STOP

A+ attractions

From art to taxidermy, these LSU museums hold rare treasures

On campus

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LANE TRAIN

Rebels in the Rouge

COACHES

The team behind your triumph

WHere'sLANE?

Kiffin

on the sideline StarS

on the sideline StarS

Kim Mulkey, women’s basketball

Jay Johnson, baseball

Dennis Shaver, track and field

Jay Clark, gymnastics

Will Wade, men’s basketball

Hardwood heroes

Bring Southern Comfort

TRUST IS EVERYTHING

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HOME Good to be

Sept. 5

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Oct. 3

Summer at the U: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Oct. 17

Nov. 7

Nov. 14

The

WHY IS SI JOINT PAIN SO HARD TO DIAGNOSE?

IF THE SI JOINT IS THE PROBLEM, WHAT CAN ACTUALLY BE DONE ABOUT IT?

BOUND Baton Rouge

AWAY

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