HOME HEADLINER
Four LSU graduates start first national tour at Fred’s Bar
BY OLIVIA TOMLINSON Managing Editor
Southern rock band The Bends prepare to kick off opening night of its first headlining tour where it all began: their hometown of Baton Rouge.
“You finally found that band you wouldn’t shut up about,” Ian Marmande, guitar player for The Bends, said when reflecting on what his freshman year self would think about where his life is at now.
The Bends unexpectedly came together their sophomore year of college at LSU, but for Marmande, it felt less like a coincidence and more like fate. Marmande had always dreamt of starting a band, and that dream began to fall into place after meeting lead singer Hayden Field in Tigerland and bass player Chase Perkins in Camellia Hall, later introducing them to his childhood friend and drummer Jacob Rhodes. Wasting no time, Marmande called everyone up to give band rehearsal a shot.
“It all clicked the moment we began running through our first song,” Marmande said.
Playing music together felt more like an enjoyable hobby with friends rather than a career plan. Perkins and Marmande were studying to become engineers, while Rhodes began mapping out plans for law school. Music never felt feasible as a full-time gig until the group began receiving recognition from the music industry and major artists, Marmande said.
“I didn’t think I would have the blessing of making a living through creating and playing music, but that changed after we released our first single, ‘Makeup,’ and I saw the warm reception of it from fellow college students to amazing artists like Zach Bryan,” Field said.
Since graduating, music is the main priority, but there was a time when coordinating band practice on top of homework and LSAT prep was demanding. Though it was difficult to balance classes every day of the week with gigs in other parts of the country every weekend, The Bends made it work. Marmande didn’t schedule Friday classes and woke up early each day to get school work done. Rhodes had patient professors who were willing to work with him on deadlines and said he could never thank them enough for that.
“Our time management skills were sharpened greatly, and energy drinks helped too,” Perkins said. “Now that music is the main focus, it does feel like a weight was lifted off of our shoulders. As much as I miss LSU, it really became a grind.”
Lessons learned from classes at LSU overlaps with the band’s approach to the music industry. The engineering program taught
Marmande the art of problem solving and time management skills, while Perkins realized how much you can achieve when you give something your all. As engineering undergrads, the two were often handed real-world scenarios and asked to find the solutions on their own accord.
“A lot of times in the music business, I find myself doing the same thing,” Marmande said. “In college, time management is essential to success. As musicians, we treat the art as a day job, working every day to succeed.”
All four of the men have taken this mindset with them into the industry, carrying discipline, communication and commitment into music full-time.
“A lot of people think the touring life is disorganized and chaotic, but it’s actually a well-oiled machine that’s always moving,” Rhodes said. “Everyone needs to be on top of their game and work together to achieve growth.”
LSU not only shaped The Bends’ work ethic, but also its sound. Perkins explained how the music culture surrounding LSU impacted the way they write songs today. There was always a healthy competition in Baton Rouge, Rhodes said, and The Bends are grateful they were able to be a part of it.
The Bends have since shifted their focus from cover songs to originals, with its garage-rock debut EP “Leeward Drive” being released on Aug. 22. Field usually
presents new song ideas to the band, and from there, the four members work out their individual parts and arrange the track until they feel they have something great. Once the song feels ready, they head over to the studio to capture what they’ve got.
This tour is the turning point on many levels for The Bends. Field believes it’s the beginning of the band’s professional career since people are paying to specifically see them perform. Perkins treats this tour as a personal milestone rather than professional. The shift from a year ago to now has been a dramatic change in Rhodes’ eyes. For Marmande, this marks the moment where the band is able to build the core of its lifelong fanbase.
Field believes the best approach to playing in front of new faces is to simply perform an unforgettable show.
“Put on a great show to turn existing fans into bigger fans and newcomers into big fans as well,” Field said.
There’s not much difference in preparing for a headlining show versus previous support slots for The Bends. It’s just upping the stakes a notch, Field said. Rhodes compared it to being in the service industry, playing every show like it’s their last to give the crowd a good time.
The “Leeward Drive” tour was announced on June 25 and features 15 stops across the country throughout the fall. While Mar-
mande and Rhodes are eager to play the band’s sold-out show in New York City, Field and Perkins look forward to their hometown show at Fred’s Bar in Baton Rouge.
It is still surreal to the members that what began as a fun pastime with friends quickly became something bigger. The Bends are also featured on the Austin City Limits lineup and will perform weekend two of the festival. Rhodes grew up yearning to attend music festivals like ACL. Now, he’ll be on stage playing in front of thousands.
“When I first found out we were playing it, I couldn’t believe it,” Perkins said. “The first thing I did was call my mom to tell her the news, and she couldn’t believe it either.”
Show preparation for the “Leeward Drive” tour looks similar for each show. Each member has their own pre-show ritual, but each one ends the same way: down a couple of beers before walking out to a crowd of screaming fans.
The Bends believe the “Leeward Drive” tour to be a memorable night for fans, hoping they leave counting down the days until the next one. The Bends will hit the stage at Fred’s Bar on Sept. 5, and tickets can be purchased online.
“Fred’s will be very special for us, as it’s the first venue we ever played and kicking off the headline tour back at our old stomping grounds will be electric,” Field said.
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COURTESY OF OPEN MANAGEMENT
The Bends press photo.
NOW CLOSED
Energy, Coast and Environment Building closed for six to eight weeks
BY EMILY BRACHER Staff Writer
The LSU Energy, Coast and Environment Building will be closed for six to eight weeks after indications of perchlorate salts were found in fume hoods and exhaust fans in its research labs.
The rotunda will remain open.
An advisor from the College of the Coast and Environment emailed students Aug. 23 to inform them the building was closed due to “safety issues.”
Though classes and labs were moved to different buildings, CCE Dean Clint Willson said the perchlorate salts are not a threat to students’ health.
The building is home to numerous research labs where ongoing experiments require fume hoods because of the chemicals being worked with. The fume hood takes the chemical out of the lab, through the roof and safely into the atmosphere.
Over the last several years, CCE and LSU Facilities Services recognized they needed to repair and upgrade their fume hoods and ducts.
After designing the upgrades and receiving the funding to execute it, the next step was to test the fume hoods and ducts so they could hire a contractor. The results showed positive readings for perchlorate salts in some of the fume hoods and exhaust fans. With the possibility that there are some of these salts in the ducts, Willson said contractors cannot
The Energy, Coast and Enviornment Building sits Aug. 26 in Baton Rouge, La.
complete the necessary repairs.
Perchlorate salts are used in explosives, fireworks and rocket propellants. Willson emphasized that the building is not closed because of a health hazard, but instead to prepare for the renovation of hoods and fans the college has been planning for two years.
“This remediation needed to occur because of the possibility of some of these salts being in the ductwork and the repair can’t get started,” Willson said.
The email said classes would be moved to buildings around campus, research labs would be reassigned or paused and advising meetings would be moved to
Zoom. Despite the unexpected closure being a disruption so early in the semester for students, Willson said the faculty and staff have gone the extra mile to support them.
“We’re making every effort to make sure the classrooms they’re in have been reassigned to are of quality,” Willson said.
Willson said the small size of CCE has made it a tight community that has come together during this unfortunate road block.
“That is the thing that has really been very rewarding to be reminded of — not surprised — of what a great group of students, staff and faculty we have and what a great community, and see
the teamwork to get this done,” Willson said.
Once the remediation is finished, Willson said most activities in the building will likely resume. Lab work will depend on when repairs are made on the different fume hoods. He said that when the time comes around, it will be up to the faculty if they want to move their classes back to the building.
“However, we would like you to remember that a building is not a college. The College of the Coast and Environment is made up of the faculty, staff, and most critically, you, the students,” the email that went out to students read.
LSU hosts Public Safety Day ahead of home opener
BY KALEY MELANCON Staff Writer
LSU hosted its annual Public Safety Day Wednesday to raise awareness of campus safety supports before the first home football game. Students may have stopped for the free merchandise, but they walked away with something more: resources.
Mixed with a live DJ, both on- and off-campus organizations filled up Tower Drive to inform students on how to stay safe and connect them with available measures. Students also participated in on-hand, interactive demonstrations such as CPR practice and fire safety.
For biochemistry freshman Lizandra Hernandez, the event was a pleasant surprise. Hernandez said the booths looked like an interesting “side quest” and decided to stop by. Her spontaneous decision led her to donate blood for the first time and learn
about safe sex practices.
“I didn’t know all of these resources were available to us,” Hernandez said.
Resources were at the forefront of the day, which is crucial exposure for some offices. Office of Emergency Preparedness Manager Symantha Dandreano said the office is trying to be more visible and let students know it is there for them.
The office handed out a disaster supplies checklist to all students which included a QR code to emergency plans and phone numbers. OEP works heavily with hurricanes and wants to make sure students are prepared if the time comes, said Dandreano.
Showcasing available resources is important for students like Kayden Farley, a sports administration junior. Farley is a transfer student from the University of New Orleans who said she was unaware of her options
before the event.
“I hit all of them,” Farley said about which booths she had been to.
Farley said she feels better equipped to handle emergency situations on campus and loved learning about the different resources.
Handouts were not the only thing students could get their hands on at Public Safety Day. One by one, students lined up to extinguish a contained flame with a fire extinguisher. Members of the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy stood behind to direct the proper way to use the extinguisher and techniques to put it out quickly.
Students also tested their rhythm on CPR training dummies under the Office of Environmental Health and Safety tent. Beforehand, students received a demonstration on how to use an AED, a medical device
New director at Student Health Center
BY LIV TEES Deputy News Editor
LSU announced Keena Smith as the new executive director of the Student Health Center. Smith, of Dallas, Texas, will start the position on Sept. 7.
Brandon Common, the vice president of Student Affairs, was part of the administration that decided she was the best fit for the position.
“During her candidacy, she distinguished herself as a humble and adaptive leader, and a strong communicator with a deep understanding of institutional systems and the importance of building trust to foster collaborative relationships,” Common said in a statement when they announced her hire.
Smith was most recently the assistant vice president of care management at Methodist Health in Dallas. Previously, she served as director and manager of care management at the hospital for an 11year period.
She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Texas and Louisiana.
Smith has a son entering his junior year at LSU as a business major. With her son at LSU, she is excited to make the Student Health Center a thriving place on campus for all students.
“I believe her humility and ability to promote staff cohesion and institutional alignment will allow her to excel at LSU and in our division for our students,” Common said.
used to help those under cardiac arrest. After learning, students went up, placed their interlocked hands on the dummy and started — to the best of their ability — administering CPR.
Other than LSU-affiliated merchandise, some students went home with life-saving supplies. Student Advocacy and Accountability sent students home with boxes of Narcan, a nasal spray used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Graduate assistant Madalyn Mcginnis said SAA works with the Collegiate Recovery program to help students in active addiction and recovery.
“You never know these days what can be laced,” Mcginnis said.
Other resources are centered around student discussions on what they want to see on campus.
Student Government’s Outreach Director Jayden Bates advocated
Smith will succeed Julie Hupperich, who served as director from 2021 until her alleged wrongful termination in 2023. In the ongoing lawsuit, Hupperich is claiming she was wrongfully terminated after speaking out against the partnership between the public university and the private Catholic hospital, Our Lady of the Lake, which she saw as a violation of church and state.
STUDENT HEALTH CENTER
COURTSY OF KEENA SMITH
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille
CAMPUS LIFE
Former Reveille adviser Jay Perkins, penned his own obituary
Jay Perkins, a former Reveille writer and then adviser who was also a longtime Manship School of Mass Communication professor and a Manship Hall of Fame inductee, died in July and wrote his own obituary.
Jay Perkins
Sept. 26, 1942 - July 20, 2025
Jay Perkins led a charmed life. He wasn’t that smart but he was witty and people mistook his wit for intellect.
He wasn’t that good looking but three beautiful, intelligent and accomplished women still spent years as his companions.
He wasn’t rich but he found ways to travel to Europe and Africa.
And his idea of long term planning usually ended at the upcoming weekend.
Perkins died July 20, 2025, after accumulating 82 years worth of experiences.
He spent 11 years in Washington, D.C. covering politics and then somehow lucked into a job teaching journalism to college students at Louisiana State University.
He quickly found he was much better at telling students how to report than he ever had been doing it himself. He moved to Baton Rouge and LSU in 1982 and his students began a seven year trend of dominating national student reporting competitions.
Those were his favorite years
because he also was advising the student newspaper, The Daily Reveille, as well. He enjoyed talking about investigative reporting but relished showing how to do it in real life.
He got his first job in journalism because he wrote a story in his college newspaper at Oklahoma State University about his college roommate attempting to set a world record for sitting in a running shower (never mind that he and a friend talked his roommate into doing it.) He moved to the newspaper in Wichita, Kan., after graduation and then to the Associated Press in Oklahoma City on the advice of a friend. He was transferred to the Washington D.C. bureau of AP because the personnel director of AP liked the way he liked women (well,
Law dean did not resign, considers legal action
LSU Law School Dean Alena Allen, who was just announced to be stepping down, did not agree to resign and may take legal action against the university for alleged retaliation and discrimination, her attorney told the Reveille.
The university announced Aug. 29 that Allen would transition to a full-time faculty member at the end of the academic year. But Allison Jones, Allen’s attorney, said the dean did not agree to resign from her position when asked Thursday.
Jones said the university’s Board of Supervisors “engaged in systematic discrimination and retaliatory conduct” against Allen after she cited “irregularities” in the law school’s finances, according to The Baton Rouge Advocate. These irregularities occurred when the law school showed it received students’ full tuition despite offering students discounts, according to documents provided to The Advocate.
This led to budget shortfalls with private donations to fill the gap, Allen said in the documents.
Jones said Allen hopes the issues can be resolved so focus can be on the success of the law school.
“She looks forward to working with LSU to ensure the continued success of the Law Center and to
taking all necessary steps to protect her legal rights,” Jones said in a statement to the Reveille.
A spokesperson for the university told The Advocate they could not comment on personnel matters.
Allen started in the position in July 2023 and was the first woman and Black person to serve as dean.
The search for the new dean adds to the growing list of permanent leadership vacancies at LSU. Currently, the vacancies include the president, provost, chief financial officer and chief data officer.
“In less than a year, LSU has seen the departure of its first Black President, first Black General Counsel, and first Black Executive Vice President for Finance and Chief Administrative Officer,” Jones said in a statement to the Reveille.
The law school jumped in rankings two years in a row in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in America. The university previously credited Allen’s recruitment campaign for the school’s success.
The most notable event during her time as dean was the removal of Professor Ken Levy from teaching and the subsequent lawsuit.
Allen testified at Levy’s hearing, where she sided with the students who objected to his political speech in class.
the payoff was the students from then on refused to be limited to campus events. His second big break came when a friend from his Washington days, Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Jim Polk, suggested he take a few students to the seminars Polk organized in various cities each semester on investigative reporting. He did, only to find the seminars featured 8 to 9 Pulitzer winners talking to hundreds of students. Those trips became routine road trips for years.
that’s what the director told him). He ended up at Louisiana State University teaching journalism despite a spotty academic record and no qualifications beyond his experience.
His first real break at LSU came when a train derailed in Livingston Parish. He walked into the student paper newsroom to find his students all talking about it. He listened for a while before asking them why they weren’t covering it.
“But professor, one student replied, “we’re a campus newspaper so we cover the campus. “
“Exactly,” he replied. “And this campus is talking about nothing except this derailment.” Two student reporters won national recognition later that year for their months of reporting on that derailment. But
STUDENT LIFE
Perkins was lucky with women. His wife, Pam Miller, was a graduate of LSU and the George Washington University law school who spent most of her career as the general counsel for the Louisiana Division of Administration. After she died, he met his new companion, Kathy Kolb, a graduate of Wellesley College with a doctorate from Yale University. Kathy was a retired professor of French and German at Southeastern Louisiana University and had an international reputation as a scholar of French composer Hector Berlioz. When she died, his companion in life for his last years was Pam Curtiss, a retired professor and graduate school administrator who had taught in universities ranging from Portland, Oregon to Wilmington, Del.
His luck was so plentiful that when he and his wife decided late in life to have a child, she produced twins - a boy and a girl. Christian
Perkins was a nurse in Richmond VA, Mackenzie Perkins Ellis was an entrepreneur and farmer who suspended both careers to get her son, Tatum off to a good start.
His biggest regret was the lack of time he had as a grandfather to Tatum Carter Ellis.
Perkins bought a second home on Capitol Hill in Washington after his retirement from LSU and spent a great portion of his time there in his last years. He loved to travel and spent 12 years organizing and leading summer study abroad tours of eastern Europe while at LSU. His travel bug continued after he retired. He particularly liked to visit Prague, Split and Hvar in Croatia, Istanbul, Edinburgh, Scotland and London. Even in death his luck held out long enough for him to write his own obituary (sorry about that, long suffering reader).
He is survived by his son Christian, daughter Mackenzie, son-inlaw Josh Ellis, all three of Richmond, Va.and three brothers, Ken (and Sherry) of LaFeria, Tx., Phil (and Martha) of Sapphire, N.C., and Keith (and Sandy) of Duncan, OK.
A celebration of life will be held at the Loft at Cecilia’s on September 13th at 4 p.m. There will be food and beverages and the vibe and dress code will be casual. We hope you will all come out and mingle and share stories. In lieu of any flowers we instead ask that you donate to the Jay Perkins scholarship for study abroad at givelsu.org.
Parking violations from first week of class pardoned, says President Lee
BY EMILY BRACHER Staff Writer
LSU Interim President Matt Lee announced on social media Tuesday that all parking citations issued to LSU students between Aug. 25 and 29 will be pardoned.
If the student has already paid, they will receive a refund.
“Thank you for your cooperation and commitment as we begin a great semester together,” Lee said.
SAEFTY, from page 3
for better lighting on campus to avoid “dark spots” that could be dangerous at night. Bates said SG is tackling these issues for the “holistic betterment” and protection of students.
Prepared is exactly how Keionna Ballou felt after participating in Public Safety Day. Ballou, an animal science junior, took home tips from LSU Police Department, Narcan and a bright safety bag that makes it easier for people to see her at night.
“You can never have too much knowledge on public safe
ty,” Ballou said.
LSU Parking & Transportation previously said there would be no grace period this semester, although there has been one in previous years.
Many students have been frustrated with parking to start the semester after commuter parking passes sold out earlier than usual, leaving many students scrambling to find a different way to get to campus.
LSU has encouraged students who weren’t able to get park-
ing passes to sign up for Park & Geaux, which shuttles students from the Tiger Park East Lot to central locations on campus like the Student Union and Lockett Hall.
There’s a wait list for commuter passes that was at least 2,000 students long.
LSU’s enrollment keeps growing, which intensifies the parking issue. This year’s freshman class was the eighth straight that set a school record for size.
COURTESY OF THE PERKINS FAMILY
FACULTY
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille Students practice using a fire extinguisher on Sept. 3 on Tower Drive.
ENTERTAINMENT
Need a new study spot? Here are six hidden gems arround campus
BY SAVANNAH BOYNES Staff Writer
Summer vacation is over, and with it, the trials and tribulations of studying begin again for all Tigers across campus. Before students can do this, however, they must first do the impossible: find a spot to study.
The sea of students on campus may fool you into believing there is no spot besides the library; however, there are many hidden gems left to be populated with the bustling minds of students. Here are six great study spots on campus:
Royal Cotillion Ballroom
Seats appear to fill up more and more in the Student Union each year, leaving little room to study and enjoy a meal. Luckily, the staff has opened up the Royal Cotillion Ballroom as extra seating for students.
If you’re looking for a less crowded area, the ballroom is perfect. The ceiling is high enough to be compared to the likes of a gymnasium, and the bright lighting allows for perfect notetaking and focus.
Another plus is if you want to feel like campus royalty, you can tell your friends to meet you in the ballroom.
The Ballroom is located on the second floor of the Union. The Student Union is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
Greek Theater
“Pitch Perfect” got it right when they chose the amphitheater as the ‘Aca-initiation’ spot. It can also be used by any student who wants to study close to nature while emulating the nostalgic feeling of the 2010s.
Despite the Louisiana heat, the Theater offers a different view when reviewing writing styles or practicing formulaic equations. Depending on the time of day, the sun can shine bright on the area, but don’t worry, there are plenty of tree-shaded spots near the top.
In between the School of Theater and the Pentagon, the Greek Theater is ideal for those who want a change of scenery and some fresh air to tackle their coursework.
Center for Academic Success
An overlooked study spot resides in the Coates Hall basement: the Center for Academic Success.
While the center’s learning specialists are helpful when searching for extra academic help and skills, it can also be the next place one journeys to for a study session.
The center is a sufficient replacement for the library due to its couches, tables, chairs and dryerase boards. Even though Coates Hall is crawling with students, the somewhat secret spot is rela-
tively desolate. It is located in B31 Coates and is open on weekdays only, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Journalism Building
Future journalists working on their writing assignments and every other studious Tiger searching for the next study spot should look no further than the Holliday Forum in the Journalism Building.
As soon as you step into the Forum, the sight of long tables with chairs lined on each side fills your view. The length of the tables are perfect for any abundance of study materials that need to be laid out. As you walk farther, you will also notice the cushioned chairs lined against the wall.
The windows at the back of the Forum allow for even greater lighting with the sunshine beaming in, not just the fluorescent lights on the ceiling. If you’re looking to even pull your eyes away from your laptop screens and papers, you can give your mind a break by admiring the artwork strewn along the left wall.
Social Stairs in the UREC
Your body is not the only thing that can be exercised at the UREC. Whether you’re just finishing a workout or considering sweating out some homework before, the main area of the University Recreation is the place for you.
Once you’re past the scan-in
area, the large wooden stairs hold the attention of all incoming gym rats and regular gym-goers. The oversized bean bags and decent amount of tables and chairs offer the perfect opportunity to study for upcoming exams or to complete assignments.
The UREC Center is open from 5:45 a.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday, 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.
The French House
The Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College holds an abundance of unique course section options, but the building itself possesses an even greater opportunity for students: the quiet, secluded student lounge.
In the lounge, there is optional seating, whether your heart desires a table and a chair or a comfy couch to ease your backpackinduced back pain. There is even a free coffee bar, which includes a Keurig and a variety of sweeteners ready-for-use by caffeine-addicted college students.
The French House honors building can be found behind the Student Union, diagonally past the red light, just before the 459 Dining Hall. The lounge itself is located on the first floor behind the Hans & Donna Sternberg Salon.
MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille
Students walk past the French House on Oct. 18, 2023, near Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille
An LSU student walks on Sept. 6, 2023, in front of the Journalism Building on Field House Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
Tigers take down Clemson on the road in a 17-10 victory at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30.
LSU football sophomore cornerback PJ Woodland (11) celebrates after sacking Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
LSU football fifth-year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) prepares before the snap.
LSU football sophomore running back Caden Durham (29) runs with the ball.
LSU football fifth-year senior tight end Bauer Sharp (10) runs with the ball after a catch.
LSU football junior linebacker Whit Weeks (40) points to the crowd and celebrates.
LSU football freshman cornerback DJ Pickett (3) holds a sign reading “Ball Game” and celebrates.
Photos by Erin Barker | Design by Riley White
SPORTS NEXT IN LINE
A historical breakdown of LSU and LA Tech’s in-state rivalry as they square off
BY RAMI BURKS Staff Writer
LSU head coach Brian Kelly said in a press conference last year that if LSU is going to pay a school to play them, it should be an in-state school.
Accordingly, LSU football opens its 2025 home slate against Louisiana Tech. The Tigers are coming off a historic 17-10 win over Clemson, but that doesn’t mean that this Tech team is going to lie down on Saturday.
“When you get a chance to open on the road and have some success, you build a lot of momentum,” Kelly said. “But then you take a look at the opportunity to play at home, it heightens it even more.”
During a press conference on Tuesday, LA Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie spoke about the upcoming game against LSU, and there’s no lack of trying to turn the season on its head in Week 2.
“In all these games, your margin for error is very small, and you have to maximize your opportunities,” Cumbie said. “How we do that is just to be our best. That’s what I ask our kids, is to
FOOTBALL
be your best and our best and go out and play Saturday night.”
LSU’s win over Clemson was the first season-opening win for Kelly at LSU, and Week 2 might
have a lot to say about the rest of the season for the Bayou Bengals.
Historically, the Bulldogs and Tigers have faced off 20 times,
Tiger Stadium debuts air-conditioned player benches for home opener
tom diffuser that directly cools the player’s neck area — one of the body’s fastest cooling zones.
In their home debut, the LSU Tigers will have some new technology on the sidelines, helping to keep them safe and cool.
Thanks to a new collaboration between the Southeastern Conference and Cleveland, Ohio-based “sidelines solutions” company Dragon Seats, the Tigers will be among the first in the league to use climate-controlled benches and retractable shade tents designed to combat extreme heat.
Franklin Floyd, the company’s chief operating officer, stated that the rollout is the result of years of work at both the school and conference levels, with the ultimate goal of protecting athletes from the grueling weather conditions they face year-round.
“Our mission is first and foremost player health and safety,” Floyd said. “Football is a violent sport, and we want to do everything we can to aid athletes’ wellness and performance.”
Behind the technology
The so-called “hybrid” benches can function as both heating and cooling systems. For now, they’ll pump out cold air through a cus-
By targeting areas like the neck and armpits, the system helps lower an athlete’s core temperature more effectively than traditional cooling methods.
Each bench is built to accommodate six to seven players at once, providing LSU’s roster with ample space, as six benches are stationed on both the home and visiting sidelines.
The benches are also equipped with “Hot Hats,” or specialized compartments where players can place their helmets between drives.
The compartment extends from the bench like a short pole, where players can put their helmets to help keep them cool and dry.
“It’s a fully customized airconditioning solution designed for the sidelines,” Floyd explained. “It significantly lowers players’ core body temperature, which can make a huge difference in performance and recovery.”
Once temperatures cool down later in the season, the same benches can be flipped to heat mode with a simple turnkey switch handled by Dragon Seats’ service team.
Shading the sidelines
The partnership isn’t just about cold air. Dragon Seats is also providing retractable tents that stretch above the benches, designed to block the sun and reduce heat at the field level.
Originally introduced two years ago, the shade system has gained popularity rapidly. Dragon Seats partnered with Kinematic, the company best known for producing medical privacy tents used in college football, to refine the design.
“They’re lightweight, effective and fully retractable,” Floyd said. “We tested them at the Raiders’ training facility in Las Vegas, and the shade alone made about a 20-degree difference. When you combine that with the air-conditioned benches, the impact is enormous.”
For players competing in the sweltering Louisiana heat, where field-level temperatures can exceed 120 degrees, this combination could be game-changing, keeping players fresher, longer.
A conference-wide effort
While Dragon Seats has worked directly with SEC schools in the
with LSU taking all but one game. The last time the two teams faced was in 2018, when LSU took a comfortable 38-21 victory. The real shock came when
the two cross-state foes faced off in 1904.
The first time the purple and gold faced the blue and red that season was in Baton Rouge; LA Tech was shut out by LSU 17-0. They met again in Ruston later the same year, and the Bulldogs pulled off the upset by squeezing out a 6-0 victory.
Every other meeting has gone in favor of LSU, but that doesn’t mean Saturday is going to be a guaranteed win.
Much like Kelly, Cumbie’s move to LA Tech was a jump to an unfamiliar conference. Cumbie spent time as a coach at Texas Tech and TCU before heading to Ruston, while Kelly came from Notre Dame.
Both head coaches are meeting for the first time with a wealth of knowledge, both in and out of state. The motivation they’re drawing from their players is going to be crucial to see how Saturday night in Death Valley plays out.
During Kelly’s Tuesday press conference, he said that the team’s mantra for the season is
see BREAKDOWN, page 10
Column: LSU’s win erases Kelly doubts
After three years of heartbreaking opening losses, Brian Kelly finally got his statement win after LSU went on the road and took down Clemson.
This is the peak of Kelly’s LSU tenure; the Tigers are 1-0 for the first time in five years thanks to his highest ranked win since coming to Baton Rouge, which also moved the Tigers up to No. 3 in the AP Poll.
Things may look promising now, but is it too soon to forget about the past three lack-luster seasons and take him off the hot seat?
Although there are many Kelly believers, one big win is not a reason to view his time in Baton Rouge as successful by any means. Now that he’s has gotten over the Week 1 curse, he needs to go further than just the Clemson win and push for a playoff berth or SEC championship, like he promised when he joined.
LSU has been spoiled over the past decade with legendary head coaches, playing under Ed Orgeron and Les Miles, both of whom managed to win a na-
tional championship with the Tigers. Kelly, on the other hand, has never had a real push for a playoff berth and has struggled in rivalry games.
For a program like LSU that has a history of winning, wins like the one against Clemson are all just stepping stones in the journey toward the playoffs and won’t be enough to exempt Kelly from his past struggles and get him off the hot seat.
Kelly may still have eyes on him, but there are some key takeaways from the Clemson game and his past three seasons that could lead to LSU finally achieving a season that meets their standards.
One of the biggest critiques of Kelly has been the lackluster defense. LSU’s defense has been statistically bad in his three years as head coach. Fans haven’t been happy with the number of yards and touchdowns allowed in games, when in the past, these same fans were used to watching some of the best defensive backs and linemen in all of college football.
This history of poor defensive
BY BRETT KEMPER Staff Writer
BY ADAM KIRSCHMAN Columnist
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
The LSU football team prepares to run out on the field Aug 30 before the game against Clemson at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, Sc.
FOOTBALL
BREAKDOWN, from page 9
1-0, and he’s leaning on that big time each week throughout the season.
“We celebrated for 24 hours,” Kelly said. “We came in and had recovery on Sunday. Monday, we went back to work, put that behind us and focused on Louisiana Tech, and we want to go 1-0.”
LA Tech’s mindset is similar going into this game. Cumbie said it doesn’t matter who the next opponent is, he’s going to encourage his guys to play their best at all times.
He also said that he hasn’t said anything about the predicted score differential, and his goal is to run the week as normal — no matter the predicted outcome on Saturday. With that being said, he knows the matchup will be a “huge challenge.”
“Defensively, they’re big and fast and really don’t have any weakness from a personnel standpoint,” Cumbie said. “They flew around the football really well against Clemson. Offensively, explosive in the skill positions. Garrett Nussmeier is probably the best quarterback in the country.”
Both the Tigers and the Bulldogs are coming off big wins in Week 1, so only time will tell how the home team will hold up against in-state competition. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.
BENCHES, from page 9
past, this marks the first conference-wide effort. All 16 SEC sidelines, home and away, will now feature the company’s climatecontrolled benches and shading systems.
Last year, Dragon Seats worked with the conference to put shaders on the new tablet carts that were introduced to the sidelines, and after continued success, the company and conference are working much closer together to bring this innovative technology to all 16 SEC sidelines.
“That project went really well and sparked a broader conversation about how we could support ath-
PORTAL, from page 9
efforts led to the firing of defensive coordinator Matt House, who was then replaced by Blake Baker in 2024.
Baker might be the answer to LSU’s struggles after showing strong defensive changes last year, but much of the hype stems from the recent second-half shutout at Clemson. The defense looked revitalized in its opening game, making play after play against a highly praised Clemson offense.
Many critics believed LSU’s defense would fall due to veteran quarterback Cade Klubnik and an experienced core of skill play-
letes across the board. Now, we’re proud to say every SEC school will have access to this equipment.”
“It was a monumental lift for our team,” Floyd admitted. “But the SEC made health and safety a priority, and we were ready to deliver.”
Dragon Seats has already partnered with the Big Ten Conference, providing benches on every visiting sideline, and is super excited for the opportunity to work with the SEC.
Non-conference opponents traveling to SEC stadiums will also have the option to rent the benches for single-game use, ensuring both teams benefit from the technology.
“Any school playing at an SEC
ers, but LSU flipped the narrative and only allowed one touchdown and just 31 rushing yards. Although it’s only one game, the new defensive philosophy of Baker along with new additions seems like it could be the answer to Kelly and the Tigers’ defensive struggles.
Kelly also has always been able to salvage his seasons, even if not to the full expectations of LSU fans. Kelly has gone three for three in bowl games against relevant opponents, showing a trend of being able to gain stability near the end of the year to finish on a high note. Now that he’s gotten past that hump of early challenges, LSU just has to play
stadium can contract with us,” Floyd said. “We’ll have a service team on-site to support them for that specific game.”
While Floyd couldn’t give any details on the economics of that, whatever the cost, it may be worth beating the elements all season long.
Impact at LSU
For LSU, the benefits are apparent. The Tigers’ home benches will feature team branding, while the visiting sidelines will use a clean, white design.
Floyd said the visual difference will be noticeable, but the real value lies in player comfort and safety.
On scorching September after-
to its strengths and finish the job.
Although more people might be getting on the Kelly hype train after starting 1-0, his history of late game coaching mistakes and poor red-zone play calling should still be on LSU fans’ minds.
Even Clemson was not the best outing for Kelly. He made play calling errors, most notably in the final 30 seconds of the first half, which cost LSU a field goal after a turnover on downs. Though the defense of Clemson was solid, LSU’s offense didn’t look very dominant either.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier managed to have a clean but average game for someone
noons, when athletes fight heat as much as their opponents, the cooling benches and shaders, complete with Hot Hats, diffusers and space for dozens of players at a time, could become as essential as helmets and shoulder pads themselves. And when late-season cold snaps hit, the same technology will flip to heat, keeping players loose and ready.
“It’s about making sure players are safe, hydrated and performing at their best,” Floyd said. “That’s our mission, and we’re excited LSU and the SEC are leading the way.”
LSU will debut the new benches this Saturday when the Tigers face LA Tech in their home opener in Death Valley.
of his caliber, and the play calling at times seemed to be putting the offense in too many threeand-out situations. If it wasn’t for the amazing game from LSU’s defense, the field position battle would be completely different. LSU would’ve been forced to play a much different game, which might’ve led to a disappointing result.
Kelly now has the opportunity to turn this statement win into a historical season, but there’s a lot to watch for as the season progresses. Kelly shouldn’t be removed from the hot seat just yet, but this year is starting to look a lot more positive than any of the past three seasons.
OPINION
Letter to the Editor: Meta’s data center will eat up resources
BY DUSTIN GRANGER
If you’ve lived in Louisiana long enough, you’ve been bitten by a tick. You don’t see it coming — until it’s too late. That just happened to all of us.
Meta is building a $10 billion data center in Richland Parish. It will cover about 70 football fields and use over twice the electricity of Orleans Parish. To power it, Entergy is building gas plants and a $550 million transmission line. Cooling the servers will strain local aquifers. And when a hurricane knocks power out, Meta will get priority — not families.
Meta isn’t footing the whole
bill. They’re getting huge sales tax exemptions, property tax breaks and industrial deals. Entergy profits from construction, while Louisiana families will pay higher bills through fuel adjustments and infrastructure costs.
The “jobs”? Meta won’t verify them. And once built, a data center needs only a few long-term employees. Half of Louisiana households can’t make ends meet. Over 1,000 people called 211 in July for help with utility bills. The PSC just killed a program that would’ve lowered those bills. Entergy cut its “Power to Care” fund while reporting $1.8 billion in profits. And Congress just canceled a solar program that in-
cluded $156 million for Louisiana.
Here’s the problem: gas and coal plants are expensive, especially during high demand. Utilities pass those fuel costs directly to us. Everlasting and clean energy — solar, wind and storage — is already the cheapest new power in America. It helps prevent fuel spikes. But Entergy has no incentive to build it. This is The Big Suck. And Louisiana families are being drained.
Dustin Granger is an LSU alumnus residing in Lake Charles. He is the treasurer of the Louisiana Democratic Party and unsuccessfully ran for state treasurer in 2023.
Gerrymandering in Louisiana denies voters their true voice
In recent weeks, much of the nation has been embroiled in a pseudo-legal civil war over a process which remains obscure in the minds of many Americans: redistricting. The state of Texas, at the urging of President Donald Trump, moved to redraw its congressional districts to extract five more Republican-leaning seats, and in return, Governor Gavin Newsom of California pushed a ballot measure for November that would similarly create new Democratic-leaning districts in California.
To those following Louisiana politics, however, the battle over congressional districts is anything but new.
One of the cornerstones of American civil rights law is the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), passed during the civil rights movement and which contains numerous provisions protecting minority communities’ access to the ballot box. One of these provisions is a prohibition on districting plans that disenfranchise minority communities. Under the VRA, if a minority community within a state is concentrated enough, votes consistently against the majority and comprises a significant portion of the population of the state, they must be put within a district wherein they have a realistic chance to elect one of their own representatives.
Since 2023, the State of Loui-
EDITORIAL BOARD
Jason Willis Editor in Chief
Tomlinson
siana has been embroiled in a legal dispute with groups like the NAACP and the ACLU over the addition of a second majority-black district to the House map. Louisiana, at the direction of federal courts, added that district, but on Aug. 27, the state backpedaled and announced it would challenge the additional district in court, arguing any form of race-based districting is unconstitutional.
I find this about-face turn rather comical. While the additional district absolutely does deprive the ruling Republicans of an additional seat, the broader system of redistricting, including majority-minority districts, has been used for decades to insulate the state’s ruling class from any actual political competition.
House elections in Louisiana have, over time, become effectively pointless gestures. For the past 30 years, there have been just 12 times when a race was won by less than ten points. Constrict that to just those who won by less than ten in a general election, as opposed to the sometimes-chaotic jungle primary, and that statistic almost halves. The average citizen has a better shot of making it onto the Pelicans than attempting to run for the House in Louisiana.
The reason why is apparent by even a cursory viewing of our state house maps. They frequently snake through our cities in jagged lines, sometimes protruding out to envelop a cluster of neighborhoods. Take, for example, LSU itself. My apartment is only a bit over a half mile from campus, yet we are in different districts. In my hometown of Gonzales, where I vote,
my representative is Troy Carter of the 2nd Congressional District. My aunt, who lives just across the highway? Hers is Steve Scalise, of the 1st Congressional District.
Human populations don’t just exist as colors on a map, free to be drawn and apportioned as one pleases. We exist in communities, and we need to legislate and organize ourselves as such. When I lived in Gonzales, my family commuted to Baton Rouge almost every day for either work or school, and I knew dozens who commuted either into Baton Rouge or to Prairieville, which is similarly within Baton Rouge’s economic orbit. My quality of life was far more dependent on events and policies affecting Baton Rouge, yet both of Gonzales’ representatives are primarily based in New Orleans.
And Gonzales is one of the luckier cities. At least my representatives’ main offices are, at most, two hours away with bad traffic. If you’re in Shreveport, you may be represented by Cleo Fields, whose primary Baton Rouge office is over three-and-a-half hours away. This deepens disconnection between voter and representative.
That’s not to impute the character or quality of service of any one politician. However, sometimes communities need to approach issues as a united front. Different cities and regions have different issues. Furthermore, broad economic legislation, infrastructural packages and, critically, taxes, can all impact different areas in different ways. Instead, our districts are designed to deliver the optimal outcome for one specific party.
Gerrymandering, especially in
the South, is a difficult and complex issue to grapple with. Minority communities absolutely deserve the right to have not only a voice in the election process, but a guarantee that their voices will actually matter.
However, you can’t artificially create solidarity by stitching together bits and pieces of separate communities. By concentrating opposition voices across the state into one amalgamated district, Republicans face next to no real Democratic force in their districts. Similarly, the need to connect Baton Rouge and Shreveport to create the new district means that the many Republican communities in between are dominated by their larger-city
political machines. In both instances, neither candidate is actually incentivized to pursue policies to sway voters, because they are almost assured of election or reelection as long as they maintain the support of the party apparatus. Majority-minority districts are an excellent idea on paper. However, in practice, they are gerrymandering all the same as any other district. They are fundamentally uncompetitive and provide voters little real choice in their representatives. Louisiana must pursue real anti-gerrymandering reform.
Gordon Crawford is a 19-yearold political science major from Gonzales, La.
Editorial Policies and Procedures Quote of the Week
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 editor@lsu.edu 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.
“The great thing about rock and roll is that someone like me can be a star.”
Elton John Singer, songwriter, pianist 1947-Present
GORDON’S GAB
GORDON CRAWFORD Columnist
THOMAS BERGERON / The Reveille Majority Race by Census Tract, Shreveport Louisina (2020 census).
COURTESY OF META
Rendering of proposed data center.
Leave your sad girl era behind
AVA’S POV
AVA FRANCIS Columnist
As a society, I think we’ve become conditioned to believe we only have three months to indulge in recreation.
Someone who hasn’t fallen for that propaganda is the jetsetting Dua Lipa.
Lipa might as well be the ambassador of making every day look and feel like a vacation.
As I swiped through my Instagram stories, stand-up comedian and writer Keara Sullivan (@superkeara) caught my attention. Sullivan expressed her endearment for the pop girly, travel extraordinaire, book-loving Lipa. “I just love that she’s having fun, no more of that sad girl aesthetic s—t we’re having Dua Lipa fun,” Sullivan said.
Like Sullivan, I too find Lipa’s online presence to be refreshing, especially when, let’s be honest, most celebrities’ social media is insufferable and annoying. Lipa comes off unproblematic, doing her job and living her best life. Lipa’s aura of vivacity is felt through her Instagram feed. Her circle is tight, which makes it clear she values quality over quantity. Viewers can spot Lipa’s family, closest friends and handsome fiancé actor Callum Turner accompanying her on a number of her travels and cheering her on while she lights up the stage.
In my article “Opinion: Tips on how to use your summer to recover from spring semester burnout” I mentioned, “having a Dua Lipa summer”. As I unpacked the last of my suitcases while moving back into my apartment for this school year, I thought to myself, “Why have just a Dua Lipa summer when every month should be full of Dua Lipa vibes and aesthetics?”
You heard it here, party people; we’re having fun this semester. Ditch the sad girl playlist and tune into the perfect blend of club bangers and pop classics.
If you don’t happen to have a playlist that suits these vibes, not to fear. I got you. I’ve curated a playlist where you can listen to Lipa, Nelly Furtado, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyla, Zara Larson, Shakira and many more pop sensations on this soundtrack for your “Dua Lipa Fall”.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an international Grammy-winning pop star or a LSU student; you too can achieve Lipa’s vibes.
You may not be stamping your passport everyday, but you could always do something spontaneous with your favorite people. Booking a visit to the spa for facials and/or massag es after a long week of classes seems to me like it would be ap proved by Lipa.
As long as your plans have everything to do with smiles and nothing to do with tears, you’re on the right track. Listen, I understand as college students we experience mo ments throughout the semes ter that make listening to your melancholy music appropriate; however, I don’t think that’s the best solution to feeling better. Last fall, I listened to a playlist I made titled “songs I’d play in the club vol.1” everyday. If at any time I felt overwhelmed or if a wave of sadness was creep ing up on me, that playlist gave me the perfect boost of sero tonin.
you should also be able to let your hair down and live life to the fullest this semester, responsibly, of course. Take care of yourself. Eat, sleep, drink tons of water and be merry. Remember, assignments, projects, class work and extracurriculars can’t be done if you’re burnt out.
Ava Francis is a 22-year-old journalism major from New Orleans.
Sadness equals unproduc tiveness, which we simply can’t afford.
Dancing around our apart ments and dorms carefree is a euphoric experience I highly recommend trying.
While it’s important to stand on business like Justin Bieber,
A senior’s guide to back-to-school at LSU
I’m embracing this semester, and everything that comes with it, even the cringeworthy and nerve-wracking aspects. “Doing it scared” has been my motto this past summer. I rarely stayed home and now I’m back to slumming it on campus, nine to five, all day, every day. As my fun summer ended, I started to feel an emotion I hadn’t felt about the first day in a while; I was nervous.
I knew that as my first week back, it was so important for me to talk about this, asI often feel quite alone when it comes to nerves. Because, no matter what year you are, everyone’s the new kid. Seniors are no different than the ever-increasing number of freshmen.
I know that everyone has internal conflicts. But, it kind of seems as though everyone around me works really well at keeping it undercover, a nod to our late great Disney years, aka “K.C. Undercover”.
Every year on the first day, it never fails, I get butterflies the night before the first day of classes. I go over my schedule and think about how I’ll look walking into class. The pressure of “who will I sit by?” “Will I, unfortunately, suffer through small talk?” The list is never-ending, a catalog of everything that could possibly go wrong. I was even nervous going back to work. With peers I’ve grown with as a student and employee for years now. A place with formal guidelines and a script to perform, I was nervous to show up.
I felt pressured by the expectations of seeing friends I haven’t seen in a while. Worrying about keeping up with the person they knew from before summer vacation. It’s all so unrealistic. Going back home after an entire school
year, getting reacclimated in your hometown and your past behavior. We all slip into old habits, after all, we’re all humans trying to navigate the best way to present ourselves in our communities. Some people are completely different in public than in private. I used to be a believer in first impressions. Maybe now, not so much. I’ve been in classes with hundreds of different people. We’re constantly reminded to act appropriately in classrooms, but maybe that holds people back from their true expression. You can’t always take initial behavior at face value.
A friend asked me if we were still doing the same song and dance of icebreakers in classrooms. When our teachers want us to go around the room and introduce ourselves. Which is where I discovered fight or flight. My heart is going a million miles per second, and then the person before me finishes, it’s my turn now and my mouth’s moving faster than my brain. The stutter is real. But, ultimately, everyone feels the exact same way. Maybe a bit dramatic, I’ll admit, but I’ve never claimed to have much chill.
Nevertheless, I’ve lived with this impending need to express to others that your vulnerability is powerful. Take control of the nervous energy. Live in your truth and be weird on the first day. Say something original in your icebreaker. First days are not the equivalent of first impressions.
Blair Bernard is a 21-year-old theatre major from Lafayette, La.
BODACIOUS
BLAIR BERNARD
AVA FRANCIS / The Reveille
A collage of Dua Lipa and Callum Turner.
EMILY BOUDREAUX / The Reveille
Incoming freshman students talking on their way to The 5 Dinning Hall Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Bengal Bound Orientation.