My little cousins love LSU. They are both boys, and both are convinced they will be starting quarterbacks for the Tigers.  They have always thought I was cool — kids have strange role models.    But once it really dawned on them that I am a student at LSU — a place they only thought had to do with sports — they started thinking I am even more awesome.As the “cool” cousin, I usually send my cousins LSU gear in the mail. When I first started at the University, the Union had the largest selection of LSU gear on campus until the LSU Board of Supervisors approved a $1.3 million plan to replace the small gift shop located next to Mike the Tiger’s habitat — the new LSU SportShop opened its doors Saturday, April 20. The SportsShop is a nice facility that mirrors the University’s architectural scheme of arches and red concrete tile roofs.  If you’re ever around Mike’s habitat, I suggest stopping by and grabbing something for yourself or someone else. I don’t suggest bringing your little cousins though; they want anything with an LSU tiger on it, and that can kill a college-sized wallet.  But if you do have younger ones with you on campus, it would be a horrible disservice to them not to buy them ice cream at the LSU Dairy Store. The Dairy Store’s ice cream is made in-house, and it is pretty amazing. It is also great during the summer if you have a class in Tureaud Hall. I schedule classes in Tureaud with The Dairy Store in mind.Another great place to visit while under the stately oaks is the Sculpture Garden located outside of the College of Design building. It makes a nice place to stroll through or just a place to sit between classes other than the quad.  I always walk through and think the people that build those things are way more artistically talented than myself. That isn’t saying much though.So there you go, buy some LSU gear at the SportsShop, pick up some ice cream from the Dairy Store then go meander through big metal statues. Definitely a normal day at LSU.—–Contact Zac Lemoine at [email protected]