The fall semester may be dominated by football, but as soon as January rolls around, students and fans fill the PMAC with enthusiasm and excitement, ready to cheer on their Lady Tigers.

Alongside women’s and men’s basketball, fans pack the seats to watch the LSU gymnastics team take on bar, beam, and floor routines. Catch the Lady Tigers at their first home meet against Kentucky on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Until then, let’s take a trip back in time. On February 11, 1994, an LSU gymnast achieved All-American status on balance beam as a sophomore, setting a school record at the time with a 9.95 against Kentucky.

That gymnast was Aida Canovas Koepplinger, a member of the LSU gymnastics team from 1992 to 1995. Koepplinger began her gymnastics career at six years old in her hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, leading to years of competing in the Central American Games and other competitions. Eventually, she was recruited by former LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux after being seen at a meet. After sending in her recruitment tape, it was goodbye Puerto Rico and hello Baton Rouge.

Koepplinger was part of Coach Breaux’s team that helped establish the golden legacy LSU gymnastics is known for today. It was gymnasts like Koepplinger who walked so future generations of LSU gymnasts could run.

For Koepplinger, life at LSU consisted of attending classes, early-morning practices, competing, and the occasional recreational activity. She lived with her teammates and other athletes in Graham Hall and enjoyed meals together at Broussard Dining Hall. However, being a gymnast back then didn’t come with the status or perks it does today.

“We were not super popular. I mean, some people knew who we were around campus,” said Koepplinger.

Today, it’s easy to spot student-athletes among the student population. Whether it’s the merchandise and custom attire they wear to class, the high-end cars they drive, or their large presence on social media, student-athletes have become campus celebrities, with some even rising to worldwide fame.

This shift is largely due to the NIL revolution, which officially began in July 2021. NIL, which stands for name, image, and likeness, allows student-athletes to profit from endorsements and deals without losing eligibility, following pressure from state laws and Supreme Court rulings that challenged NCAA restrictions on athlete compensation.

As a student-athlete in the 1990s, access was limited to basic facilities—far different from the high-quality facilities, celebrity status, and luxury perks today’s athletes enjoy. Many female-dominated sports were often overlooked, including LSU gymnastics.

Today, LSU gymnastics has a loyal fanbase and no trouble drawing large crowds, with meet attendance averaging over 12,500 fans.

This wasn’t always the case.

“We used to go to Albertsons, which used to be on College Drive, and hand out literal paper tickets because we didn’t sell out meets,” said Koepplinger. “The meets were not sold out the way they are now.”

The largest crowd the team was used to seeing back then was around 5,000 fans, but they still gave it their all on the PMAC floor.

In the 1990s, LSU gymnastics did not receive the support needed for a more comfortable lifestyle. The team traveled to meets by bus, wore leotards from previous teams, and, due to policy, were not allowed to work. Koepplinger relied on what remained from a small weekend meet stipend, which usually only covered rent and food.

“We were not allowed to work—my work was my gymnastics,” said Koepplinger. “We were poor. We were broke.”

When looking at what has changed and what has stayed the same in collegiate athletics, the differences—especially regarding NIL benefits—are significant.

“If we could’ve gotten some kind of endorsement, we probably would have made a lot of money,” said Koepplinger.

Despite the challenges of being a gymnast at LSU in the 1990s, Koepplinger and her teammates leaned on one another, overcoming limited resources, financial strain, and body and weight image expectations.

“You better have liked each other—you lived together, trained together, ate together, and traveled together,” said Koepplinger. “My best friends right now are still my teammates. When we see each other, we’re like sisters.”

Koepplinger and her teammates competed at regionals, shared laughs watching their favorite comedy shows, and enjoyed pre-meet breakfasts at Chelsea’s Café, creating bonds that lasted long after their time at LSU.

Over the years, Koepplinger has continued to cheer on new generations of LSU gymnasts, attending meets and alumni events whenever she’s in Baton Rouge.

“I’ve always been the kind of friend who keeps people together,” said Koepplinger. “These alumni functions help us reconnect and reminisce about the good times.”

Looking back on her time as an LSU gymnast, Koepplinger remembers those moments fondly, even 30 years later. She encourages current gymnasts to live in the moment, as time passes quickly.

“The most important thing is to enjoy everything you’re doing while you’re doing it,” said Koepplinger. “You don’t want to look back and say, ‘I wish I would have enjoyed that more.’”

Today, Koepplinger continues to compete in CrossFit competitions and owns a gym in Texas. She has been part of the CrossFit community for over 10 years.

Koepplinger’s LSU legacy stands as a testament to strength, perseverance, and resilience.

See you in the PMAC, Tigers!