As LSU football fans continues to celebrate the national championship that took place nearly three months ago, long jumper John Moffitt has yet to receive the credit he deserves.
Moffitt, who earned his first national championship two weeks ago in the long jump competition, said the lack of credibility the track team receives does not bother him.
“I wouldn’t say it bothers me, not too much,” Moffitt said. “I wish [the track team] did get more recognition, compared to football.”
On March 13, the LSU men’s and women’s track teams swept the NCAA Indoor Championships, becoming the first-ever school in NCAA history to sweep both the men’s and women’s national titles.
Moffitt, who earned his first title in the long jump, became the first man in LSU history to ever win an indoor long jump championship.
Assistant coach Irving Schexnayder said Moffitt was deserving of the honor.
“It was something he definitely deserves,” Schexnayder said. “He had pretty much dominated the event for the entire indoor season, so it was expected and something he really deserved.”
In his first year at LSU last season, Moffitt twice earned All-American honors during the indoor season, with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships last season.
Prior to the NCAA Championships last season, Moffitt was undefeated in the long jump during the indoor regular season, winning five straight meet titles.
Moffitt, who graduated from Winnsboro High School in Winnsboro, La., said he had always had his sights on going to LSU.
“Ever since I was in high school, coach Boo was recruiting me,” Moffitt said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have the grades, so I went to [junior college].”
Following high school, Moffitt spent two years at Barton County Community College, where he was a two-time All-American.
In the 2000 NJCAA Championships, Moffitt earned the indoor long jump title with a jump of 25 feet, two inches.
Now at LSU, Moffitt has made his presence felt.
“He came in as an athlete that we were hoping would develop into somebody that would help,” Schexnayder said. “He’s maybe been our best guy for two years now. He’s really exceeded all our expectations.”
Moffitt added the transition from junior college to Division I has not been easy.
“The biggest transition is the competition level,” Moffitt said. “The competition level compared to JUCO is way higher.”
Moffitt added that, as the level of competition rises, the intensity of preparation rises as well.
“The training is something you have to do to get better to make it to the next level,” Moffitt said.
With the summer olympics just around the corner, Moffitt is looking to continue his success away from LSU.
“After LSU, I hope to make it to the next level, to compete on the professional level,” Moffitt said. ” I think I have what it takes.”
With the outdoor track season just beginning, Moffitt said he wants to concentrate on winning another championship.
“It feels good [to win a national championship],” Moffitt said. “It’s hard work that’s paying off. I’m just going to keep focused and keep my hard work up, and hopefully I can get another [national title] this year, outdoors.”