BATON ROUGE -- Head coach Dennis Shaver and members of the LSU track and field teams traveled to the Louisiana State Capitol Building on Monday afternoon where they were honored by the Louisiana Legislature for their outstanding performance during the 2008 season.
Members of the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives took time out of their final day of a nearly three-month legislative session to present both the men’s and women’s teams with a resolution honoring them for their performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Along with Shaver, senior Ryan Fontenot, junior Trindon Holliday and freshman Gabriel Mvumvure represented the men’s team, while junior Nickiesha Wilson and sophomore Samantha Henry were in attendance to represent the women’s team.
The Lady Tigers received a warm reception from both legislative bodies for winning yet another national championship as the women’s team has now won 25 NCAA team titles all-time.
The Tigers were honored following an impressive runner-up finish at this year’s NCAA meet as they just missed winning their seventh national championship in the program’s storied history. The teams have now combined to win an impressive 31 national championships in their history, which ranks second all-time among collegiate track and field programs.
In addition, Shaver was recognized by Rep. Patricia Smith, D-East Baton Rouge, for being named the NCAA Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the first time in his head-coaching career.
“This is a testament to the pride that our athletes have shown not only in the way they’ve represented themselves all season long, but in the way that they’ve represented our program, our university and our great state both on and off the track,” Shaver said. “They’re the reason that we are here celebrating with each of you this afternoon.
“I can tell you from working with these kids day in and day out and seeing the pride they have in the way they represent themselves on the track, in the classroom and in the community that they are certainly deserving of everything they’ve accomplished this season.”
Following Shaver’s address to the assembly, LSU’s student-athletes posed for photos and signed autographs for many of the legislators and spectators in attendance.
The Tigers and Lady Tigers have certainly made their state proud this season as they combined to win one NCAA championship, two NCAA runner-up finishes and two SEC championships in team competition. LSU’s student-athletes have also combined for a total of seven NCAA event titles, 17 SEC event titles, 42 All-America selections and 46 All-SEC honors individually.