When the LSU football team takes the field Sept. 8 in Tiger Stadium for its home opener, nearly five months would have passed since 32 students were shot and killed at Virginia Tech University. But the LSU Athletic Department will not turn a blind eye to the nation’s largest shooting ever, as LSU plans to honor the Hokies when the Tigers host Virginia Tech. LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent told The Daily Reveille early Tuesday in an e-mail that LSU is being cautious about how to handle the situation. He said LSU is trying to figure out the appropriate way to recognize the tragedy in order to respect Virginia Tech’s fans. But he also said LSU will be in communication with Virginia Tech officials in the near future to discuss the best way to handle the situation. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette went beyond Vincent, saying there will definitely be a tribute to the Hokies. “We don’t have anything definite set yet, but there will be something done that day to honor the victims and Virginia Tech,” he said. According to the Interim Athletic Director for Student Government Dixon McMakin, plans are currently being made with the Athletic Department to make the Virginia Tech game the annual “Gold Game,” in which the entire student section is urged to wear gold shirts. McMakin said sales from next season’s shirt would go to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. Two seasons ago, LSU was the recipient of other schools’ generosity, as most of the Tigers’ 2005-06 opponents donated money to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Graduate student Blake Thibodaux said LSU is doing the right thing by returning the favor to Virginia Tech. “When we were in need, we were given hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions of dollars, from the other schools,” he said. “Now it’s our turn to give something back to people who are in need of something positive.” Gymnastics senior Nicki Butler, football sophomore defensive back Joe Maltempi, and track and field sophomore Christina Porter are the only LSU athletes from Virginia. Sophomore running back Keiland Williams attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., just two hours away from Virginia Tech’s campus.
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