Chants of “Voogd” will no longer be heard from the Maravich Maniacs section of PMAC this coming season. After two seasons as one of LSU’s primary reserves, sophomore guard Ben Voogd has announced he will transfer following the completion of spring semester. LSU coach John Brady said in a news release that Voogd, an Oregon native, looks for an opportunity to play closer to home. “It’s all about playing time,” Brady said. “And [Voogd] wants to play more and be able to play closer to home.” Voogd told The Daily Reveille on Tuesday afternoon he was granted his release Monday and is in the process of looking for a new school. “My family and I have looked at a few schools back home,” he said. “But we still haven’t made our decision.” Voogd averaged 1.4 points and 1.7 assists in just more than 10 minutes per game as the Tigers’ primary backup point guard this past season. The sophomore lost playing time late in the season, however, playing just a combined 27 minutes in LSU’s final six games of the season. Voogd’s most productive game was Nov. 29 against McNeese State University when he scored a career-high 12 points and dished six assists in a 91-57 LSU win. Brady said he approves of Voogd’s decision. “Ben is a fine young man,” he said. “I understand what he is looking for. I’ll support Ben in whatever he wants to do because he is a good person who has meant a lot to me and our program for the last two years.” Voogd said he enjoyed his days as a Tiger, especially the 2005 season’s Final Four run and he will miss his friends in Baton Rouge. “I want to tell [the fans] thanks for everything,” he said. “They are the best fans I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t trade my two years at LSU for anything. From the Final Four run, to all of the friends I have made here, I will always remember my days here.” Voogd is the second point guard on LSU’s 2005-06 opening-day roster to leave the team over the past three months. Junior guard Tack Minor left the team this past January after leaving the University amid alleged academic violations. Sophomore forward Alex Farrer, Voogd’s roommate the past two years, said Voogd will be missed at LSU’s practices. “The dude is one of the hardest workers I know,” Farrer said. “He was always trying to get better, whether it was staying after practice to work on his shot. He will be make a difference for whoever he goes play for.” Farrer also joked that Voogd’s perfectionist personality will be missed inside their own household. “I will miss him as a roommate because he was sort of the woman of the house, always cleaning up after everyone,” Farrer joked. “I will miss him very much because as a roommate you obviously see him everyday, so he becomes a member of your family.”
—–Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]