The Reveille 7-10-19

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Former LSU stars Alex Bregman and DJ LeMahieu represent the American League at the MLB All-Star game Tuesday, defeating the National League in a 4-3 win, page 2

NEWS

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Former LSU student faces trial for negligent homicide in freshman pledge Max Gruver’s hazing death.

SPORTS

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LSU defense finds foundation in Grant Delpit and Michael Divinity’s adaptive playing abilities.

ENTERTAINMENT

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MID TAP, Baton Rouge’s first self-serve tap room, adds an innovative twist to Baton Rouge bar options.

L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le

page 2 COVER STORY

Former LSU standouts Alex Bregman, DJ LeMahieu start in MLB All-Star Game

BY BRANDON ADAM @badam_ Both Alex Bregman and DJ LeMahieu started for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Bregman made his second consecutive appearance in the All-Star Game and was the MVP of last year’s game. He started at third base while LeMahieu, who made his third appearance, started at second base.

Bregman finished with one hit in two at-bats and scored one of the AL’s runs in a 4-3 win over the National League.

LeMahieu went 0-2 at the plate and was later subbed out along with Bregman.

The two former Tigers have been two of MLB’s best halfway through the season, and both are top five in wins above replacement (WAR) among AL players.

Bregman is fourth with a WAR of 4.1 and his 23 home runs are tied for fourth in the AL. Meanwhile, LeMahieu is atop the AL in batting average at .336, second in hits with 113, fourth in RBIs with 63 and his 3.9 WAR is fifth.

LeMahieu is an AL MVP candidate and has helped guide the New York Yankees to the best record in the AL at 57-31.

Bregman and the Houston Astros aren’t far behind at 57-33.

It’s a continuation of what they were able to accomplish during their time at LSU. LeMahieu was a key player during LSU’s 2009 championship season and was named to the 2009 College World Series All-Tournament team. He was drafted in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Chicago Cubs.

As for Bregman, he became one of the best players to ever walk through Alex Box Stadium.

In his three years at LSU, Bregman won freshman of the year in 2013, shortstop of the year in 2013 and was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award in 2015.

And while he wasn’t able to reach the championship heights in his two College World Series appearances like LeMahieu did at LSU, Bregman did win the 2017 MLB World Series with the Astros.

The Astros selected Bregman No. 2 overall in 2015, and he quickly climbed the ladder to the Major Leagues. Bregman started 196 games at shortstop at LSU, but with Carlos Correa established at shortstop, Bregman moved to third base with the Astros.

Bregman made multiple key plays at the plate and in the infield during the Astros’ championship run, but his most memorable moment came on a walk-off single to give the Astros a 13-12 win over the Los Angeles Dodges in game five of the World Series.

Alex Bregman / courtesy of WIKIMEDIA

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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS

DJ LeMahieu / courtesy of WIKIMEDIA Alex Bregman / THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.

This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or email editor@lsureveille.com.

ABOUT THE REVEILLE

Former LSU baseball stars Alex Bregman and DJ LeMahieu played for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game on July 9. Bregman has played for the Houston Astros since 2016, and LeMahieu played for the Colorado Rockies for six years before joining the New York Yankees in 2019.

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published weekly during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. Secondclass copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

NEWS

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THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

SEPTEMBER 14 Max Gruver dies after “Bible Study” hazing ritual; LSU chapter of Phi Delta Theta suspended

OCTOBER 11 Ten Phi Delta Theta members arrested and later released on bond; LSUPD determined Gruver was targeted

BY LARA NICHOLSON @Laranicholson_ The East Baton Rouge Parish trial for the negligent homicide charge in freshman pledge Maxwell Gruver’s hazing death began Tuesday between prosecutors and the defense, former University student Matthew Naquin, 21, and his lawyer John McLindon.

Naquin faces up to five years in prison if convicted of negligent homicide. Following the trial, Naquin will be tried for obstruction of justice for allegedly deleting hundreds of files from his phone following the approval of a search warrant for the device.

On Sept. 14, 2017, Phi Delta Theta pledge Max Gruver died of alcohol poisoning with a .495 blood alcohol content, according to the coroner’s report. Gruver died following a hazing ritual known as “bible study,” in which pledges must chug 190 proof liquor at the fraternity house if they incorrectly answer questions regarding the fraternity’s history and the Greek alphabet.

Following Gruver’s death, Naquin was indicted for negligent homicide. Three other mem-

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Negligent homicide trial in Gruver case commences; defense argues Gruver died ‘but nobody killed him’

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

COURTESY OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PRISON

MARCH 15

AUGUST 16

JULY 3

JULY 9

Grand jury indicts Matthew Naquin, SeanPaul Gott, Ryan Isto and Patrick Forde; Naquin charged with negligent homicide

Max Gruver’s parents, Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver, file civil lawsuit against LSU and Phi Delta Theta

Naquin charged with obstruction of justice for deleting files from cell phone after approval of a search warrant for his phone

Naquin’s negligent homicide trial commences; the trial is expected to last a week

bers, Sean-Paul Gott, 21; Patrick Forde, 21; and Ryan Isto, 19, were indicted on misdemeanor hazing charges. Naquin was said to be the main aggressor of the hazing death in courts and did not want Gruver to become a member of Phi Delta Theta, according to witness testimonies from other pledges.

In the opening statements of Naquin’s trial, the prosecution said that Gruver “had fun and took advantage of new freedoms,” referring to alcohol and marijuana use. An autopsy detected THC, the chemical found in marijuana, in Gruver’s system. The prosecution also said that Phi Delta Theta active members discussed terminating Naquin’s membership due to his behavior, which all 20 pledges said was “over the top.”

“Unfortunately, they didn’t do it soon enough,” said state attorney Morgan Johnson.

The defense began by noting that while Gruver had died, “nobody killed him,” McLindon said during his opening statement.

Defense noted that Naquin did not plan the “bible study” and that pledges were aware that it was not mandatory.

When a young man dies, society wants to blame somebody.

JOHN McLINDON

Defense attorney

McLindon also said that Gruver chose to drink the alcohol, and that two witnesses testified that they saw Gruver drink out of a leftover Everclear bottle after the hazing ritual.

“When a young man dies, society wants to blame somebody,” the defense said. “In this case, they pinned it on the loudest guy.”

Opening statements concluded with defense by asking the jury not to create two tragedies by convicting Naquin.

Following opening statements, Ryan Isto began testifying. He said that participating in hazing events is part of “fitting in.” Isto also said that Naquin did not feel that Gruver was a proper fit for the fraternity. Naquin

admitted to tearing up one of Gruver’s pledge cards.

According to Isto, Gruver walked around downstairs following the bible study. He said no one thought Max was in trouble.

Another fraternity member, Sean Pennison, testified that he was arrested just for being there.

The defense noted that the state was looking to put responsibility on someone. The state noted that Pennison took pledges’ phones the night of Gruver’s death, preventing them from documenting the hazing.

Phi Delta Theta has been banned from LSU’s campus until at least 2033 as a result of the probe into Gruver’s death. The trial is ongoing and is expected to continue into next week.

Read online at lsureveille.com for updates on the trial and other news related to the Max Gruver case

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

page 4 ALUMNI

LSU graduates killed in helicopter crash in Bahamas

BY LIA SALIME @liasalime Seven Americans, including three recent LSU graduates and Phi Mu alumnae, died in a helicopter crash July 4 in the Bahamas, according to local authorities.

Kameron Cline, Jillian Clark and Brittney Searson were all recent University graduates before the fatal flight. The aircraft belonged to West Virginia coal mining billionaire Chris Cline, Kameron’s father, who also perished in the crash. The aircraft was headed to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas as a part of a Fourth of July vacation, according to media reports.

Authorities said the aircraft departed from Big Grand Cay sometime between midnight and 2 a.m. before it went missing and was found near islands that Chris owned. The bodies were taken to the capital in Nassau to be officially identified, according to Bahamian police superintendent Shanta Knowles.

Bahamian authorities on Friday said they were still investigating what may have caused the wreck. Police in the Bahamas said they then began searching for

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the helicopter when they learned Chris and the others had failed to arrive as expected in Fort Lauderdale. They discovered the aircraft had crashed near Big Grand Cay, and officials recovered the bodies of four women and three men.

Chris’ friend, helicopter pilot David Jude, and an unidentified helicopter mechanic also died in the crash, media reports said.

The family of Delaney Wykle, a childhood friend of Kameron, confirmed that she also died.

“The LSU community is mourning the loss of three recent graduates, along with all of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident,” LSU President F. King Alexander said in a statement.

“Kameron, Jillian and Brittney were all May 2019 graduates and had such bright futures ahead of them. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of everyone affected. This is a sad day for all of us.”

The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, Florida, also released a statement mourning Kameron and Searson.

“Kameron and Brittney were remembered by teachers as best friends who remained close after graduating and going on to college together at Louisiana

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

LSU Phi Mu’s sorority house sits at West Lakeshore Drive. Three Phi Mu alumnae died on July 4 in a helicopter crash in the Bahamas.

State University,” the statement said. “Kameron, 22, and Brittney, 21, were known as caring and humble students.”

Searson, a Palm Beach native, majored in kinesiology and exercise science. According to her LinkedIn, she aspired to

be a medical sales representative. Searson and Kameron were classmates at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach before enrolling at the University.

Clark was a graduate of Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans where she played volleyball and

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SPORTS

page 5

Grant Delpit, Michael Divinity’s versatility provide foundation for LSU defense

BY BRANDON ADAM @badam___ Last season, Dave Aranda unleashed his new quarters package, and safety Grant Delpit emerged as one of the best defensive players in all of college football because of it.

Now Aranda has a new set of ideas featuring the quarters position — a safety who comes into the box to play as an extra linebacker — and the rest of his defense led by Delpit, who returns for his junior season after a unanimous All-American campaign as a sophomore.

Delpit is joined by junior safety Jacoby Stevens, senior linebacker Michael Divinity and sophomore linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, who tore his ACL in the season opener against Miami.

“We’ve got guys on the perimeter that can play sideline to sideline, can blitz, can cover, and guys that need to be isolated on pass rushes oneon-one,” Aranda said during LSU’s Coaches Caravan in June. “They can win on running backs. They can win on offensive lineman on the interior as well as offensive tackle pass sets.

I feel like the talent that is adherent there we can move around and use, and I’m excited about that.”

All four players play the most versatile and disruptive roles in Aranda’s defense. Delpit and Stevens alternated at the quarters position and

as deep safeties last season while Divinity shifted into the pass rushing linebacker spot after Chaisson’s injury.

Chaisson’s injury was a huge blow to LSU in 2018. There were thoughts from the coaching staff and players on the roster he was going to break Arden Key’s sack record set in 2016.

The front of the defense was set to be built around him and Devin White, but those offseason plans never came into fruition.

But after a redshirt year in 2018, Chaisson kept his three years of eligibility and Aranda will get to try again.

“The more that we can free him up to rush and not have him drop, the better we’ll be,” LSU’s fourth-year defensive coordinator said. “There’s certainly that outlook, but then along with that, is going to be the opportunity to get him playing pass to run.

Where he is not always block down, step down on the edge. It’s block down, work up the field, play pass and ensure there is no run on your way to the QB because he has that ability to decipher that and make that play.

“We call that mesh charges, and so I think his ability to do that is taking advantage of the ability he has and it’s right for him and it’s right for us.”

Now with Chaisson back, Divinity has shifted into an inside linebacker role similar to the one Kendell Beckwith played in 2016, but Aranda said Divinity will kick back out to the edge on passing downs.

After coming to LSU in 2016 as a five-star recruit, Divinity struggled to find consistent playing time. LSU coaches were torn on if he was better as an inside linebacker or outside, despite not being the typical size for a pass rusher.

In 2018, Divinity stayed outside and became one of the better pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference. He only finished with five sacks, tied for the team-high, but he generated consistent pressure on the quarterback that doesn’t always show up in the box score.

This spring LSU moved him back inside and will try to utilize his talents on both the inside and outside of the front seven.

“From the mack linebacker spot we’ll have him on the line of scrimmage creating bear looks, whether it is over the guard or over the center or on the edge of the tackle,” Aranda said. “There’s a fair amount of creepers or simulated pressures with him running through interior gaps. I think his physicality in those situations will be good for us.”

Divinity’s move inside allows for one of Delpit or Stevens to slide down and play close to the line of scrimmage as the third or fourth linebacker in LSU’s defense. Delpit began in that role early in the season, but when Stevens started LSU’s last four games he was the primary beneficiary of that spot.

In those four games, Stevens racked up 28 of his 35 tackles on the season and seemed to have finally found a home on defense after bouncing between multiple positions on offense and defense most of his first two years.

The question for Aranda becomes when to deploy Delpit and Stevens at the quarters position because of the impact both can have there. Delpit led the team in sacks with five and was a clear game-changer at the position, but when he played as a deep safety, he also made plays – intercepting five passes and breaking up nine others.

“The question always with Grant is he always does everything well, so what it really comes down to is when we are in run defense mode, we want edges set and stuff blown up in the middle to where Grant can play alley to alley,” Aranda said.

“Then when we’re expecting pass and it’s passing situations there is a lot of merit to Grant rushing, but when he isn’t rushing there is a lot of merit to have him in the middle of the field. His ability to do both and move around, I think we’ll feature him and show his value.

“I look at this year’s group whether its K’Lavon, Mike Divinity, or it’s Jacoby Stevens or it’s Grant Delpit, there’s a bunch of guys who individually do things really well, and it is our task to blend it into a defense.

ENTERTAINMENT

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FROM THE TAP MID Tap brings innovative twist to Baton Rouge-area bar options

BY LIA SALIME @liasalime MID TAP, Baton Rouge’s first self-serve tap room, adds an innovative twist to Baton Rouge bar options.

MID Tap itself is a 21-andover bar and with restaurant options for all. The staff will check a guest’s ID, open a tab, then give the guest an RFID bracelet that enables them to unlock any of the 48 taps.

Guests can enjoy up to 48 ounces before checking in with the staff to ensure safety and unlock 24 more ounces at a time.

“We have 39 beers, six wines, two craft cocktails,” owner Rick Patel said. “We’re adding another cocktail — the cocktails are pretty popular. Both of our cocktails are made in-house so we don’t use any artificial ingredients. It’s all craft.”

Beers are sourced locally and internationally with options from local brands like Tin Roof Brewery, Abita Brewing Company and NOLA Brewing Company. Drinks change regularly, so customers can find different options throughout the week.

In addition to the 48 rotating tap selections, the restaurant features a variety of appetizers, sliders, small plates, wings, tenders and other options to accompany the drafts and cocktails. Patel said the chef is always creating new stuff so they always have different things going on.

Since its April 26 opening, MID Tap has put on a series of events including trivia on

Mondays, Singo (music bingo), Wine Wednesdays, Battleship Contests and more. The upcoming “Tap In Comedy Night” with NO SHOW Comedy will kickoff on July 16 at 8 p.m.

MID Tap is also one establishment in the area that is pet friendly — both two and fourlegged guests are welcome.

“Me and my wife like doing innovative stuff,” Patel said. “That was the whole inspiration behind MID Tap. We wanted to create something cool. At the same time, we wanted to provide a perfect product.”

Patel and his wife own other restaurants in the area. After experiencing the concept of a self-serve tap room while in New York, they couldn’t let go of the idea. Patel said he enjoys the entrepreneurship and it’s something that he and his wife instantly wanted to do.

When Patel moved to Baton Rouge from California roughly 10 years ago, he initially thought it would be a temporary move. However, the city’s small town, close knit feeling and the LSU football culture quickly changed that, Patel said.

“This is home now,” Patel said. “LSU culture was a deciding factor just because everyone is so passionate over here. You get that tight knit community that’s brought together by football. At the end of the day, you walk into that stadium whether you like each other or not, you’re going to be rooting for the team and everyone’s on one side.

It’s awesome.”

You get that tight knit community that’s brought together by [LSU] football.

— MID Tap Owner Rick Patel

photos courtesy of MID TAP

Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Lynne Bunch Ha-Vy Nguyen

Editor in Chief Managing Editor

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Quote of the Week “The way to know life is to love many things.”

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Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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Bogie’s near LSU files for bankruptcy after Saturday closure The bar was a popular spot around LSU and was an unofficial extension of the TiBogie’s Bar filed for Chap- gerland area, a few blocks ter 11 bankruptcy protection af- removed from Fred’s and ter the bar announced its July 6 Reggie’s bars. The bar occlosure. The bar operators were cupied the space on E. Boyd served with an eviction notice by Drive since 1994 and was property owner Mike Butler for home to many events, exchangnonpayment and had five days to es, brawls and even an infamous close its doors. visit from American football Bar owner Aaron “Mugsy” Saul- tight end Rob Gronkowski nier owed landlord in 2013.

Michael Butler about The bar an$92,000, accordnounced its closure “We will be ing to bankruptcy on the business’ filings. Records show shutting down to Instagram page that the Louisiana De- work on revamping it would close after partment of Revenue 25 years of serving the Bogie’s tax bill was more LSU students. than $56,800, The “I wanted to experience.”

Advocate reported. take a minute to Greg Saulnier thank everyone BOGIE’S BAR was owed $25,000 who was a patron INSTAGRAM POST as an unsecured of Bogie’s,” the Increditor. The bar, stagram post said. on 705 E. Boyd “For the last 25 Drive, had between $500,000 and years we have been a name$1 million in total assets and sake on campus. From exbetween $100,000 and $500,000 in changes to food trucks to liabilities, records show. the bar that everyone knows Bogie’s Bar hired Rich- your name we have loved mond Law Firm LLC as its serving you.

This Saturlegal representative.

Chap- day night we will be shutting ter 11 bankruptcy protection down to work on revamping enables companies to reorganize the Bogie’s experience. We would their operations. love to see you all there.”

STAFF REPORTS @lsureveille

courtesy of GOOGLE MAPS

Bogie’s Bar shut its doors after serving the LSU area for 25 years. Its owners hope to eventually reopen the bar.

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