LSU announced today that the search for Mike VII is still ongoing, but that the goal is to have a new Mike on campus for the start of the next fall semester.
But that’s burying the lede. As part of their efforts to make Mike’s habitat an accredited Tiger sanctuary, LSU will be ending the tradition of Mike’s parade up Victory Hill and around Death Valley. Mike will instead stay in his habitat full time on Gamedays. While it’s a loss of a pretty special tradition, and one that I was personally very fond of, this is something that’s been coming for a few seasons. Mike missed all of the 2016 season due to health and had been missing games on a regular basis for 3-or-4 years. I will miss it, but I’m ok with it.
Along with today’s news of Travonte Valentine ’s dismissal, there have been a few other football roster moves. WR Jazz Ferguson, who was suspended during the season, is heading to Northwestern St. OL Chidi Okeke is transferring to Eastern Kentucky after playing in only 4 games for LSU in 2016.
The Advocate has obtained the details of new OC Matt Canada’s contract: $1.5 Million per, for 3 years. Combined with DC Aranda’s new contract for $1.8 Million per, LSU will be paying more than 3 million dollars to coordinators next season.
Josh Boutte, Tashawn Bower, Colin Jeter, and Lewis Neal will be playing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game this weekend.
In Baseball news, RHP Alden Cartwright will be missing the entire 2017 season after having additional surgery on his right elbow last fall. Cartwright had Tommy John surgery after getting injured in a series against Auburn last season and was not expected to pitch much this season. It was also announced that OF Brody Wofford is heading for JUCO in a “mutual decision” with the coaching staff, likely meaning that he wasn’t going to crack the log jam in the outfield. In the Pros, Mikie Mahtook has been traded to Detroit, where he’ll join JaCoby Jones. Alex Bregman will be playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this March.
Despite winning at Bama, LSU Gym fell to a 2nd place ranking due to their meet score. Gym’s recent season of success have led to a huge increase in season ticket sales. The Tiger host Texas Women’s University in a meet on SECN+ this Friday night
Softball has been voted to finish 3rd in the SEC by the coaches. Their season starts on Feb 9th.
I'm ok with it ending. But I am glad I got there early for the last parade. pic.twitter.com/ZOztl4DxbF
— PodKATT (@valleyshook) January 19, 2017