The LSU campus houses some of the most storied venues in all of collegiate athletics.
Tiger Stadium, Alex Box Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center are all renowned for the large passionate crowds that LSU brings in to support its Tigers.
Mango’s Beach Volleyball Club, which houses LSU’s beach volleyball team until next season, does not fit that mold; Mango’s is off-campus and smaller, but just as passionate about its Tigers.
“The people who support us at Mango’s love the game,” said coach Russell Brock. “They are going to be there to support us no matter what.”
When LSU first started its beach volleyball program in 2014, the Tigers had to look off-campus for a venue as there was no place on campus for the beach volleyball team to play.
Mango’s was more than willing to host the Tigers and was chosen by LSU to host practices and home games for LSU.
“They were looking for a venue to build their program that could actually support them and that is how we got involved,” said Mango’s owner Tim Bourgeois. “It has been great. We have gotten to know the coaches and have very mutual respect.”
Bourgeois, and his wife Tina, started Mango’s in 1995 after getting tired of working in a desk job.
They selected a location on Bricksome Avenue just off of South Sherwood Forest Boulevard and have poured their hearts into it.
“We like it around here,” Tim said. “We just tried to give it a shot and ended up with what we have here. It is a lot of fun. We enjoy the people out here and we have phenomenal customers.”
Mango’s location off-campus and away from LSU has created a different culture than around most LSU sports.
Mango’s serves food and drinks, including alcohol, in its main building, and plays music while LSU is playing on the court, unlike in other LSU venues.
Senior Cheyenne Wood, who is on both the beach and indoor volleyball teams, found Mango’s to be as warm to the Tigers as the PMAC.
“It is very different,” Wood said. “It is beautiful outside. They both have such great qualities. I love playing in the PMAC on campus and in front of a large crowd. Coming to Mango’s, there are palm trees and we are at the beach. It is just an easygoing relaxed environment. People can bring their own chairs and lay out. It is a beachy vibe.”
Even with its support of LSU, there are challenges to playing off campus.
The Tigers do not have storage for their equipment, so they use Mango’s and do not have designated locker rooms for changing like most of the other LSU teams.
The biggest challenge, however, has been traveling to a location that is 10 miles off-campus to practice.
“It is a little weird,” said graduate transfer Haleigh Nelson. “But I love Mango’s. I love coming here every day. It feels like its our place. It is kind of neat that it is off of campus. It feels like it is our home away from home. It is kind of nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of campus. Also, the food here is amazing. I could eat here every day.”
Despite the challenges of playing off campus, Mango’s has been more than just a home for the Tigers. Both sides agree that having LSU on site has been beneficial.
“It’s great having them out here,” Tim said. “We love having the sport we love out here. It has been a good time.”
However, this will be Mango’s final season as the home of the Tigers.
Starting next season, LSU will play on campus at a new venue where the old tennis courts were located. The move on campus has been anticipated by the LSU beach program.
“Even with all the success we have had, there are a lot of people on campus who do not know we exist,” Brock said. “So to be over there and to be seen by the students, it will be significantly more accessible product. It will be a great opportunity.“
While Mango’s will no longer be home to the Tigers, they are excited for the LSU beach team. More than that, they are sure the bond between the program and the club will remain strong.
“It will be absolutely still be strong,” Tim said. “We will do anything to help them. It is going to be a tremendous benefit for them to be on campus. Down the road, if they ever need anything, we will still have a great relationship.”

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Caleb Bourque

LSU freshman beach volleyball player Tatum Ballard (20) stands ready to play during the LSU Purple & Gold Scrimmage on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 at Mango’s Beach Volleyball Club.