LSU Athletics
By Hunt Palmer
For one final time in 2025, the Alex Box Stadium grandstand was packed with fans in purple and gold.
One by one, LSU’s national championship team emerged from the dugout to raucous approval. Anthony Eyanson and Kade Anderson were the final two Tigers to walk through the smoke as Tiger fans stood and cheered.
Jay Johnson earned the loudest roar until Sports Information Director Bill Franques introduced Skip Bertman, the architect of it all.
Even fan, player coach and support staff member stood in unison to applaud as Bertman tipped his cap.
Franques interviewed some of the Tiger standouts.
Senior Josh Pearson on Jay Johnson…
“He always talks about how we’re better players than people, and I’d say the same thing about him. He’s a great man and an amazing coach.”
Steven Milam on his relationship with Alex Bregman and LSU…
“It’s awesome. It’s the reason why you come to LSU, to be a big leaguer. He’s going to be a hall of famer one day. I saw him make that spinning play in the (2015) College World Series. I knew I wanted to go to LSU to follow in footsteps like that.”
Kade Anderson on his journey at LSU…
“I remember two years ago I was in the stands watching and wanted to be a part of something like this. It’s awesome. I grew up dreaming of playing in the purple and gold right where I’m standing. Really grateful.”
Jared Jones on the Arkansas comeback in Omaha…
“This team was very tough and together, and that’s something we talked about all year long. Going into the ninth inning against Arkansas, we knew we could get it done…At the end of the day, it’s a team sport, and I’m just super happy to experience that moment with this group of guys.”
Jones one his decision to return to school for a third season…
“When the season ended last year there were a lot of conversations that had to be had, and Coach came and talked to me family and we talked about this exact moment and why I should come back to LSU…I’m super grateful.”
Then Jay Johnson took the microphone surrounded by another standing ovation. He sent the appreciation right back to the crowd on the fourth anniversary of his becoming the head coach at LSU.
“You know what I love about all of you, it doesn’t matter if it’s a Wednesday in Baton Rouge or Omaha or 1:15 in the morning, you never run out of energy.”
He thanked the crowd saying the passion of the fanbase is “1000 percent unmatched.”
Johnson recalled the end of the 2024 season and the disappointment in Chapel Hill, again repeating the motto of “tough and together” for 2025. He called the 2025 team, “in 25 years of doing this, the toughest team I’ve been around.”
As fireworks lit up the south Baton Rouge sky in purple and gold, The Intimidator in right field was adorned with the 2025 national championship logo. The billboard will be updated with all eight national titles prior to the 2026 season.
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