Monetary discipline encouraged for 2011
January 4, 2011
Jindal touts higher ed relief
January 6, 2011
The LSU football team has seen the best of both naughty and nice this holiday season as they prepare to take on Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl Jan. 7.
Two weeks ago, before the Tigers broke for their annual Christmas break, the team saw a special North Pole native roaming through their halls n none other than Mr. Claus himself.
LSU coach Les Miles used St. Nick’s visit to take part in his yearly holiday custom of singing Christmas carols with his team before the team’s final pre-break practice. Miles then sent his players home to their families for a five-day break before getting back to the practice fields to prepare for the Aggies.
“We started the day by singing Christmas carols during our team meeting,” Miles said. “After that, we went out and had a good practice. It was a shorter practice, but we got a lot done.”
While Santa’s visit was thought to be about the team’s good behavior this holiday season, the Tigers have also received some naughty news in recent days.
LSU announced last week that they have self-imposed penalties on the football team after an internal investigation yielded improper contact between an assistant coach no longer on LSU’s staff and a former player in 2009.
The Tigers will be without two scholarships for the 2011-12 recruiting class and will also see their official visit time with recruits reduced.
LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said while he’s sorry the program committed a violation, he’s pleased with the school’s diligence in coming up with a fair penalty.
“I believe the diligence of our internal investigation and the corrective measures we have taken are indicative of our commitment to compliance with NCAA rules and regulations,” Alleva said. “This sends a clear signal that LSU intends to play by the rules.”
The NCAA apparently thought so, too, as they announced just a few days later that they wouldn’t seek any further punishment against the Tigers and were satisfied with their self-imposed restrictions.
The Tigers also received a lump of coal in their stockings this week when they announced junior halfback Stevan Ridley has been declared ineligible for the Cotton Bowl due to “a result of an academic issue interpreted by the NCAA as a violation of its bylaws.”
Miles said he couldn’t comment specifically about what is alleged against Ridley, but did say LSU is appealing the NCAA’s ruling and still hopes to have one of their captains on the field in Arlington, Texas Friday night.
“We are in the appeal process now with the NCAA and we’re very hopeful that his eligibility will be restored,” Miles said. “We’re doing everything we can as a university to help Stevan through this issue. Stevan is the captain of our team. He’s been a hard worker, a wonderful leader and has developed through work, time and effort not only as a player but as a student.”
Ridley rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his junior season, while also scoring 14 touchdowns.
If Ridley is unable to be reinstated, LSU would likely rely on freshman Michael Ford and senior Richard Murphy, who have served as the team’s primary backups for most of the second half of the season.
Like Miles, Ridley didn’t give specifics about the situation, saying whether he’s on the field or not in the Cotton Bowl, he will support his team.
“I remain committed to Louisiana State University and to the LSU football team and I plan to fight to maintain my eligibility,” Ridley said.
Despite the external turmoil, the Tigers say they have made progress in their early preparation for the Cotton Bowl.
With such a long wait before the actual game, Miles said the emphasis early was more “LSU vs. LSU,” than “LSU vs. Texas A&M”.
But so far, so good, the coach touts and he said LSU is making progress and will be “more than ready,” for their longtime rivals.
“We are making progress and getting better each day. I like what I’ve seen out of the team during these first six practices,” Miles said. “We still have a lot to do once we get back but I think we’re off to a good start.”
That progress is necessary, because like everyone else who has seen the Aggies play, Miles knows LSU will have to play its best to walk out of Arlington with a trophy in hand.
“I’ve watched every game that they’ve played and I don’t see any weaknesses. They execute, and they do the right things,” Miles said. “This is going to be two very talented teams playing nose-to-nose for four quarters to decide victory. I can’t imagine it won’t be a great game.”
LSU halfback Stevan Ridley searches for a hole during a game last season. A 1,000-yard rusher, Ridley’s status for Friday’s Cotton Bowl is still in question as LSU appeals an NCAA ruling that made him academically ineligible. STEVE FRANZ I LSU SPORTS
