LSU fans took a lot of things away from the baseball team’s opening weekend sweep of Wake Forest.
For one, junior center fielder Mikie Mahtook resembled a machine, making quick work of the Wake Forest pitchers to the tune of four home runs.
Also, the Tigers’ young pitching staff is budding with potential. Freshman hurler Kurt McCune was chosen as the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week after a six-inning, one-hit performance Sunday in his first collegiate outing.
But those will be forgotten in the coming weeks. Mahtook and McCune will both go on to greater accomplishments at LSU.
One thing should be remembered for the years to come — the selfless actions of the opposing team’s skipper. His deed shouldn’t be pushed aside among the headlines and box score.
The story gained national attention and made news in Baton Rouge before last weekend’s series. You’ve probably heard it already.
Wake Forest coach Tom Walter donated one of his kidneys to freshman outfielder Kevin Jordan a couple of weeks before the Demon Deacons came to Baton Rouge. Jordan was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels that can result in kidney failure.
LSU fans paid their respects with a standing ovation before Friday night’s contest at the request of LSU coach Paul Mainieri, a longtime friend of Walter.
Walter’s incredible gift to Jordan exceeds the medical world. It’s a reminder of what college athletics should be all about.
In the age of corruption, recruiting violations and scandals throughout college sports, Walter sheds light on the heart of collegiate athletics.
Sometimes we fail to see the good nature of the college game. Players being arrested, coaches being suspended and athletic departments being reprimanded often overshadow the genuine nature of the sport.
Walter’s story is the kind of thing that separates college sports from professional leagues.
There’s a family atmosphere present on campuses across the country. College coaches become second fathers or mothers for student-athletes.
Blog: Tom Walter Q&A
 
Many times, biological parents live across the country, and the coaches assume the role while the student-athletes are away from their homes.
A scholarship offer to a recruit is more than a contract securing the services of a player. It’s a two-way pact binding a coach to a player for more than just on-field obligations.
Walter honored his end of the scholarship in remarkable fashion. The 42-year-old coach sacrificed his body for a player 23 years younger than him.
This wasn’t the first time Walter put himself on hold for his players.
Walter led the University of New Orleans baseball team for five seasons, even enduring the challenges of Hurricane Katrina. During an interview Friday at the Embassy Suites, Wake Forest’s hotel for the weekend, Walter talked about the tough journey after Katrina.
Walter lived in a trailer next to a baseball field in New Orleans while his family lived in Michigan until the city was safe enough to return. Once again, the coach accepted a paternal role.
He said the one advantage from the devastation was the dedication from the UNO players who returned to the city. With nothing else to do, Walter said players would knock on his trailer door late in the night for spur-of-the-moment batting practices.
The Wake Forest baseball team may not have returned to Winston-Salem, N.C., with a victory after the weekend series.
But they left under the leadership of an inspirational coach.
I’d call that a win.
Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert.
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]