re: Why LSU and not Louisiana State?

I can definitively answer for you that LSU is the preferred branding name of Louisiana State University.

A unique brand in any business is a very fortunate thing to have, whether it's Coke, Pepto Bismol or Styrofoam. You know what you're getting by the brand label. Now, Pepto Bismol could brand itself as "Bismuth-based Stomach Reliever with Coating Action," all the same as LSU could brand itself as "Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge."

LSU is a good brand name. It's quick, memorable, sounds good, looks good, and is unique among universities.

LSU uses its brand not just in athletics, but also academics. As a university, they REALLY don't like to use Louisiana State University outside of formal references, and they downright hate just "Louisiana State."

A LOT of thought and planning goes into branding the university. I remember no more than five years ago, the university and its colleges used more than FORTY different logos on campus to identify LSU. You just can't do that when you're trying to build a brand. You need ONE image and ONE name. That's what LSU does now.

Trust me, every time a football player says "Louisiana State" on Monday Night Football, there are marketing people at LSU who bristle over it.

You might not think it's that big a deal... but let me ask you this, what university is known as "THE" university? Now, which one is simply known as "The U?" THAT came out of using Monday Night Football as a primary weapon to advance the brand.

NFL people... please... our name is LSU. Thank you.