Micah arrived yesterday in Mesa, AZ and just a few minutes ago signed his contract with the Chicago Cubs and by doing so ends a fantastic and unbelievable run at LSU. It seems like it was just yesterday that he left for Baton Rouge as an incoming freshman. The joy of this occasion is tempered by the news of Chad Jones being involved in an auto accident this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

First, I would like extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the coaches, athletic department personnel and of course the GREATEST FANS EVER! From the moment I stepped on campus for the first time at the beginning of Micah’s freshman year, I could just feel how special it was to be there. Paul Bryd (Ryan’s dad) introduced himself to me immediately and then invited me to meet the other parents and coach’s committee members who were there for the annual fall BBQ at the old Box. Beginning that day and continuing on through this season, I have experienced real and sincere hospitality like never before.

I have to admit that when I attended my first LSU baseball game that spring, my first reaction was, “These people are nuts!” I had never seen anything like it. College football maybe, but baseball? There was Chris leading cheers, the K lady, and bird calls that I could never find the source of. I was completely blown away by the support. Add to it the SEC tournaments, regionals, super-regionals, and let’s not forget OMAHA. One of my best friends from college lives there and he told me that the locals love LSU fans and the unbelievable fan support and hospitality they bring when they come to Omaha. By the way, did the LSU fans outnumber the UCLA fans this summer on their own field? I know they did against UC Irvine and their campus is only were 40 miles away.

In these three years I have also found how strong a bond there is in the SEC. Sure, we “hate” the other team and want to beat the stuffing out of them, but who do we cheer for when one of them plays a team outside the conference? It was summarized this fall after Florida won their bowl game and eventually the fans started chanting, “SEC, SEC, SEC…” It amazed the TV commentator, but by then not me, for I had already got a taste of the loyalty. Late last summer, I was flying home from a business trip and I had just barely taken my seat when the woman next to me started giving me grief about LSU (I was wearing an LSU polo shirt). Turns out she was a Georgia alumnus. When she found out that I had never been to a game in “Death Valley”, boy did I ever get a chewing-out. I had never experienced this before. Here in Austin, it is the Longhorns and only the Longhorns. As far as a fan support goes, well they don’t call them “Tea Sippers” for nothing. Anyway, last fall I attended my first LSU football game and WOW! An experience that defies description by the spoken or written word.

In summary, I have become a LSU fan (nut) and that my love for LSU doesn’t end with Micah leaving. I plan to be there for the first game next spring. I will follow LSUsports.net, the rants, and everything else that is LSU.

Many, many thanks everyone and FOREVER LSU!! GEAUX (finally learned how to spell it) TIGERS!!

Ben (Micah’s Dad) Gibbs