A Tiger Gives Back

            The LSU Athletic Training Department would like to give a special thanks to our supporters who are “giving back” to our Athletic Training Program. We would like to give special recognition to Mr. Joe Melancon and Mr. John Purdy, both alumnus of Louisiana State University.

Joe is from Bogalusa, Louisiana and first found an interest in athletic training at his high school while working under “Buck” Jordan.  Joe also played baseball in high school. It was his coach who recommended Joe to Mel Didier who suggested Joe meet with Dr. Marty Broussard about working in the Athletic Training Room as an Athletic Trainging Student. 

Joe was accepted into LSU for the 1968-69 school year.  His dream was to follow in the footsteps of his athletic training mentor, Mr. "Buck" Jordan, who is now a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Joe’s favorite sports to work were baseball and football, however it was not long until his plans soon changed. Joe also enjoyed playing baseball and while playing at a tournament in Pontchatoula the summer of 1970, his coach Jim Smith asked him to try out for the LSU Baseball team.  Playing on the LSU Baseball team meant he would have to give up athletic training and his scholarship. With a reluctant blessing from Doc Broussard, Joe ended up playing baseball in 1971 and 1972 and served as both player and athletic trainer when they traveled.  Joe injured his wrist during the season, but recalls being very pleased by how helpful “Doc” Broussard was throughout the rehabilitation process. 

Today, Joe Melancon works at Lee Finance Company in Franklinton, LA which is a family owned business.  Because Joe did not come from a wealthy background, he knew and appreciated the worth of a dollar and how much a little extra money can help while being an athletic trainer.   Mr. Joe Melancon has been gracious enough to donate a generous amount of money to our program and our athletic training students.  He recently donated his first installment and has pledged to donate an additional $2500 each year for the next 4 years. Mr. Melancon has made a donation to the Athletic Training Special Assistance Fund which is used to help our students and GAs get through these challenging financial times.

Dr. Joe Serio and John Purdy

Another recent donor to our Special Assistance Fund is former Head Athletic Trainer, Mr. John Purdy. Mr. Purdy worked as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at LSU from 1978-80, then as an assistant Athletic Trainer from 1980-88. He he was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer for LSU and served with Football from 1988-96. In 19976 he became the Head Athletic Trainer for LSU Men’s Basketball and served in that capacity until 1998. After a distinguished career at LSU, Mr. Purdy moved to Tennessee to work for the Vanderbilt Orthopedic Institute. After many years, John returned to LSU's Tiger Stadium this season to route on the Tigers as they took on Mississippi State University.

We are so thankful to Mr. Joe Melancon and Mr. John Purdy for their continued support of the Athletic Training profession and for our program!

Kinesiology Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Jared Williams for being selected as the 2012 School of Kinesiology's Premier Scholar Award Winner for Athletic Training! The Kinesiology Awards Committee chose to recognize and award Jared this scholarship from amongst his kinesiology peers. One student from each kinesiology concentration is selected to receive a $500 scholarship. This student must maintain a 3.5 GPA and demonstrate exemplary scholarship, service, leadership, and contributions to the community outside of academics. "Jared receiving this scholarship is a true testament to the work he is doing not only in the Athletic Training profession, but for the Kinesiology Department at LSU" said Derek Calvert, Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer for Football. Congratulations Jared!

Happy Holidays!

Alpha Tau Sigma was one of 14 student organizations that adopted a child for LSU's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athlete Affair's Thanksgiving with the Tigers event. Each year, student organizations raise money to purchase gifts for children who may otherwise not be able to have a holiday celebration. This year, twenty-two children and their family's were invited to a traditional Thanksgiving meal followed by games and holiday activities in the PMAC on Monday, November 12th. The athletic training students adopted an infant girl and raised money to give her various toys and clothing items. Special thanks to all of those who donated and attended the event to help make this holiday season a joyous one for all of those involved!

In keeping with tradition, the athletic training staff, graduate assistants, and students all gathered together to celebrate the end of the semester and the holiday season. This annual event, held at the home of Shelly Mullenix, included a pot luck dinner, plenty of desserts, and a white elephant gift exchange. The football athletic training students also debuted the first annual football staff video full that showed off the student's skills outside of athletic training including rapping, dancing, and secret hand shakes. Click HERE to see their creativity and help it go VIRAL! Everyone enjoyed spending time together outside of the athletic training room before returning home for the holidays. From the LSU Athletic Training family, we hope you all had a very Happy Holiday and wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Student of the Month

Congratulations to Sarah Bair, our Athletic Training Student of the Month for November!  Sarah is a second year in our Athletic Training Program and is currently working with our nationally recognized Track and Field/ Cross Country  team.  Sarah spent her first year as an athletic training student working with the Swimming and Diving team and has been continually developing as an athletic trainer since her admission into the program.  Over the summer, Sarah took a trip to Australia to experience athletic training in a new perspective and learn athletic training skills done the "Aussie" way.  She serves as a leader and mentor this year to the younger students and is always willing to lend a helping hand.  She is always seeking to grow and improve her skills and we are proud to have her a part of our athletic training team.  After speaking with our staff athletic trainer for Track and Field/ Cross Country, Keith Thompson, he said, "it has been a pleasure working with Sarah this semester.  Sarah is improving her skills as a clinician and brings a positive energy to our staff.  Sarah has been a tremendous help, not only with Track and Field, but to the other sports that work out of Broussard Athletic Training Center as well".  Congratulations again Sarah!