As baseball season amps up, some LSU superfans, like Keagan Simon, are getting their popcorn buckets ready as they prepare for yet another season of supporting the Tigers.
“My biggest thing is just have fun and bring the energy,” Simon says.
As a Lake Arthur Louisiana native, Simon’s love for the Purple and Gold began at a young age and led him to becoming a part of a group of LSU superfans, Mike’s Manics.
“Bucket bring a different kind of energy that we can’t even bring ourselves right now,” Kyle Thibodeaux, a member of Mike’s Manics says. “He’s just different.”
Buckethead’s rise to fame began during LSU Baseball’s 2023 National Championship run. It was then that he realized he could capitalize off his popularity creating his own clothing line.
“Like a lot of us Cajuns cook, we throw things in the pot and make everything taste good, so that is essentially what I did with my shirt business. Threw some stuff in the pot,” Simon says.
While Buckethead can now add CEO to his resume, his friends see him a little differently.
“Crazy, hilarious, lot’s of energy, should be a comedian, he needs his own sitcom,” says Cameron Worth, a member of Mike’s Manics.
LSU opponents get a glimpse of Buckethead’s stand-up comedy act, specifically right fielders at Alex Box Stadium.
“It’s just a quick 30 minute search,” Simon says. It’s like a heckling tactic that we want to essentially get into their heads because they are out here with us.”
Buckhead gathers information of opposing players through social media, so he can scream their parents’ names or even ask them about their recent venmo transactions during regulation.”
“We try to use every resource we can to try to make them get in their head and second guess themselves when a plays coming to them because we are talking to them so much,” Simon says.
Despite not graduating until 2026, Simon and his Buckethead filled with signatures from LSU players and coaches will begin their farewell tour this season.
“I will be at some games,” Simon says. “I say this is my last one because in my last semester I am taking an internship class, so there would be some opportunities I can’t make it to certain baseball games because I’m busy with an internship.”
Similar to basketball season, Keagan and Mike’s Manics plan to sit in the front row of the student section at Alex Box stadium when the season begins Friday. The group also plans to cheer on their Tigers at every gymnastics meet and tennis match this season.
