Video: Mainieri on LSU's big weekend; Skip Bertman 

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING LSU coach Paul Mainieri talks to home plate umpire Scott Cline during one of Florida's pitching changes on Saturday.

This is a big night for the LSU baseball team with the dedication of "Skip Bertman Field" and the celebration for the 1993 NCAA championship team, but Tigers coach Paul Maineri said his players should be able to rise to the occasion and play well despite the extra-curricular activities. Continue reading →

Video: Sean McMullen sets the table

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING -- LSU's Sean McMullen singles in the sixth inning, an eight-run inning for LSU. LSU won 18-6, and had 19 hits, including three by McMullen.

LSU lead-off hitter Sean McMullen has a simple job: Get on base for sluggers Alex Bregman, Mason Katz and Raph Rhymes. Mission accomplished. McMullen is batting .339. In this video, McMullen talks with Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff Continue reading →

Video: Arm wrestling women fight for charity

Advocate staff photo by CATHERINE THRELKELD -- Arm wrestlers Andi Aguilar, who performed as One Dollar Baby, and Jodi Shipley, known as Rosie the Rioter, compete at the Baton Rouge Arm Wrestling Ladies Blunt Force Brawl. Aguilar made it to the finals before losing to Captain of the Sister Ship, a wrestler from New Orleans.

Baton Rouge Arm Wrestling Ladies is an organization that doesn't take itself too seriously. The competitors wear costumes, adopt outlandish personas and form entourages that escort them to the stage, but the arm wrestling is all real.

Video: Nikki Caldwell and LéBrian Patrick dancing for Big Buddy 

LSU Women’s Basketball coach Nikki Caldwell and partner LéBrian Patrick dancing for Big Buddy.

This year's Dancing for Big Buddy Star Dancers and their partners cha-cha'd, hustled, rumbaed, tangoed and waltzed to the delight of a 1,000-plus audience at LSU's Pete Maravich Assembly Center April 27. LSU Women's Basketball coach Nikki Caldwell and partner LéBrian Patrick took home the prize for Fastest Feet for their cha cha and the comment, "Pistol Pete may have built this building but tonight you own it," from judge John Spain. Continue reading →

Video: The LSU Spring Game preview

Advocate staff file photo by Travis Spradling -- LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) throws under pressure from defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) during their spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, March 31, 2012, in Baton Rouge.

What can fans expect from LSU in its spring football game? Will the Tigers offense show that it is much improved from last season? Will the defense show that its new players are learning the ropes and progressing well? Click here for a video giving you a full preview of the spring football game from Online sports editor Pierce Huff and Advocate Sportswriter Scott Hotard. Continue reading →

Video: Chadwick Boseman talks about his new movie '42'

Chadwick Boseman, who plays baseball legend Jackie Robinson in

Online Entertainment Editor Kevin McQuarn talks with Chadwick Boseman about his new film, "42." Boseman also discusses the hardest part about playing Jackie Robinson and gives the one question that he would ask the American hero if given the opportunity.

Ethanol and your outboard

The hottest topic among fishermen and boaters is a topic that gets most of them hot under the collar, and that's ethanol in the gasoline they're using to power their outboard engines. Mercury Marine's Kevin Brown discusses the best way to adapt using 10-percent ethanol in outboards and why you need to urge Congress from allowing 15-percent ethanol to reach the market. Video by Gary Krouse.

The hottest topic among fishermen and boaters is a topic that gets most of them hot under the collar, and that's ethanol in the gasoline they're using to power their outboard engines. Mercury Marine's Kevin Brown discusses the best way to adapt using 10-percent ethanol in outboards and why you need to urge Congress from allowing 15-percent ethanol to reach the market. Continue reading →

Choosing the correct fishing rod

Some fishing rods are long, some short, some pretty and some, well, not so pretty, but the one thing a fishing rod must be is functional and fit the species you're trying to catch. St. Croix Rods' Rich Balanger talks about the differences in power and flexibility in a fishing rod and what all those numbers on fishing rods mean. Video by Gary Krouse.

Some fishing rods are long, some short, some pretty and some, well, not so pretty, but the one thing a fishing rod must be is functional and fit the species you're trying to catch. St. Croix Rods' Rich Balanger talks about the differences in power and flexibility in a fishing rod and what all those numbers on fishing rods mean. Continue reading →

Lafitte on fire

For whatever reason, Mother Nature or 2010's disastrous BP oil spill, catches of speckled trout were down for the last five years...until this year when trout began showing up in the upper reaches of the Barataria Basin and came within easy running distance of the charter skippers in the Lafitte area. Veteran fishing guide Theophile Bourgeois discusses what's likely to happen in his area through the spring months with Advocate Outdoors writer Joe Macaluso. Video by Gary Krouse.

For whatever reason, Mother Nature or 2010's disastrous BP oil spill, catches of speckled trout were down for the last five years...until this year when trout began showing up in the upper reaches of the Barataria Basin and came within easy running distance of the charter skippers in the Lafitte area. Veteran fishing guide Theophile Bourgeois discusses what's likely to happen in his area through the spring months with Advocate Outdoors writer Joe Macaluso. Continue reading →

Video: Les Miles talks LSU Pro Day, Tyrann Mathieu 

LSU head coach Les Miles speaks with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during LSU's NFL football pro day in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, March 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Sean Gardner)

With 28 of his former players at LSU pro day, Les Miles was the picture of confidence when he walked around the Tigers' indoor facility. LSU prides itself of its ability of send its players to the pros, and this day was proof. In this video, Miles talks about having former Tiger Tyrann Mathieu back at LSU pro day and what the success of the day says about the LSU program in an interview with Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff and Advocate sportswriter Les East. Continue reading →

Video: LSU recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson says LSU's pro day means a lot to recruiting 

The main pitch of the LSU football team to high school football players it is recruiting is the fact that the Tigers send a lot of players into the National Football League. LSU had 28 former players at its recent pro day. What kind of impact will that have on recruiting? In this video, Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff talks with LSU recruiting coordinator/running backs coach Frank Wilson. Continue reading →

Video: LSU QB Zach Mettenberger talks football

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIGLSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger throws downfield as center P.J. Lonergan (64) and guard La'El Collins (70) block in the second half Friday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Quarterback Zach Mettenberger talks LSU football in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff before the start of the Tigers' spring practices. How does Mettenberger feel about his progress as a quarterback and the team's new offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron? Are there any things from last season that Mettenberger would like to do over? These and other questions are answered. Continue reading →

Video: Coffee cupping at Magpie Cafe

Advocate staff photo by RICHARD ALAN HANNONChris Green, left, of Baton Rouge, and C.J. Thacker, of Walker, take a deep sniff of three internationally grown coffees at Magpie Cafe on Perkins Road in Baton Rouge on Feb. 22 during the cafe's first coffee cupping hosted by the store's roaster, Batdorf & Bronson.

Magpie Cafe hosted a coffee cupping at their 3205 Perkins Road location on Feb. 22. Owner James Jacobs Jr. and Jason Dominy, the community outreach coordinator for the specialty coffee roaster that supplies Magpie’s coffees, explained what tasters experience at a cupping event. Jacobs also explained that, “Cuppings are to coffee what wine tastings are to wine.” Continue reading →

Video: The Children's Hospital Bass Classic

The father-son team of Willie Couch II and Willie Couch III talk about how they caught more than 15 pounds to win the Children's Hospital Bass Classic held Sunday out of Doiron's Landing. Braving freezing, early-morning temperatures, the two ardent Atchafalaya Basin anglers headed into the vast overflow swamp to beat the 122-boat field and win the $12,500 first-place prize money. Interview by Advocate Outdoors writer Joe Macaluso and videographer Gary Krouse

The father-son team of Willie Couch II and Willie Couch III talk about how they caught more than 15 pounds to win the Children's Hospital Bass Classic held Sunday out of Doiron's Landing. Braving freezing, early-morning temperatures, the two ardent Atchafalaya Basin anglers headed into the vast overflow swamp to beat the 122-boat field and win the $12,500 first-place prize money. Continue reading →

Video: Southern University quarterback Dray Joseph

Advocate file photo by GAVIN JACKSONSouthern quarterback Dray Joseph said Arkansas-Pine Bluff kept Southern from running some of its 'main plays' during a 50-21 loss Saturday..

Last spring the main question involving the Southern University football team was who was going to start at quarterback: J.P. Douglas or Dray Joseph. This spring there is no doubt who is the Jaguars starting quarterback. Joseph talks about being one of the team's leaders this season and how he hopes to lead the team to more victories this season. Continue reading →

Video: Greg Hackney talks about his experience in the Bassmaster Classic 

Joe Macaluso chats with Louisiana's lone qualifier in the Bassmaster Classic Greg Hackney, from Gonzales, who finished his 11th Classic in 13th place in the 53-angler field.

Advocate outdoors writer Joe Macaluso chats with Greg Hackney, Louisiana's lone qualifier in the 43rd Bassmaster Classic. Hackney, from Gonzales, talks about his three days spent on Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. This was Hackney's 11th Classic and his 13th place in the 53-angler field ranked among his better Classic finishes. His best-ever was fifth in the 2008 Classic held on Lake Hartwell near Greenville, S.C. His winnings Sunday put him over the $1.5 million mark earned on the Bassmaster Tour. Continue reading →

Video: Leone Marucci talks about 'Power of Few'

Leone Marucci, director of

Director Leone Marucci discusses "The Power of Few," which opens on Feb. 22, 2013. In this film, religious conspiracy collides with urban crime on a day filled with danger, mystery and possible transformation. "The Power of Few" stars Christopher Walken, Christian Slater, Q'orianka Kilcher, Anthony Anderson and Jesse Bradford. Continue reading →

Video: Bassmaster Classic Day 3

Advocate Outdoors writer Joe Macaluso with videographer Gary Krouse head into the final weigh-in for the 43rd Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Okla. to find out the next Classic champion and $500,000 check winner. Macaluso also chats with Louisiana's lone qualifier, Greg Hackney from Gonzales, who finished his 11th Classic in 13th place in the 53-angler field.

Advocate Outdoors writer Joe Macaluso with videographer Gary Krouse head into the final weigh-in for the 43rd Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Okla. to find out the next Classic champion and $500,000 check winner. Macaluso also chats with Louisiana's lone qualifier, Greg Hackney from Gonzales, who finished his 11th Classic in 13th place in the 53-angler field. Continue reading →

Video: Bassmaster Classic Day 2

Advocate Outdoors writer updates the 43rd Bassmaster Classic from Tulsa, Okla. with runaway leader Cliff Pace from Petal, Miss. holding a seven-pound edge after Saturday's second round. Featured are second-place angler Brandon Palaniuk, wiley veteran Shaw Grigsby and Greg Hackney, Louisiana's lone angler in the 53-man field. Sunday's winner will take home a $500,000 check. Hackney, 15th in the standings, survived the cut to the top 25 anglers going into Sunday's final round.

Advocate Outdoors writer updates the 43rd Bassmaster Classic from Tulsa, Okla. with runaway leader Cliff Pace from Petal, Miss. holding a seven-pound edge after Saturday's second round. Featured are second-place angler Brandon Palaniuk, wiley veteran Shaw Grigsby and Greg Hackney, Louisiana's lone angler in the 53-man field. Sunday's winner will take home a $500,000 check. Hackney, 15th in the standings, survived the cut to the top 25 anglers going into Sunday's final round. Continue reading →