SteelClip49
5/21/2008, 12:14 PM
LSU Athletic Director and Coach Plan to Burn Their AP Trophy
By LLOYD MICHAELS, AP Sports Writer
January 12, 2008
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (AP) -- LSU Athletic Director, Skip Bertman III, and Head Football Coach, Les Miles, are planning a celebration unusual, and many would say, disrespectful, after claiming the 2007 college football championship.
Defeating the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the Louisiana Superdome by an impressive display of offensive and defensive balance made the final 38-24 score make the game seem closer than it really was.
On the field after the game, the coach and players accepted the BCS trophy, which also is the Coaches' Poll trophy. The Tigers were later voted #1 by the Associated Press.
After hearing word that LSU was given the media's top ranking, angst began to spread through Tiger Town. The problem revolved around a perceived slight dating back to 2003 when the AP gave the USC Trojans its title even though LSU won the BCS Championship Game. LSU fans have since campaigned against the AP, discrediting the storied title. LSU fans went as far as erecting a billboard in front of USC's stadium to say that LSU was the only champion in 2003.
Les Miles, initially proud of winning the AP title, has since been swayed by the LSU bloggers and fans who say the AP is obsolete. "What can I say?" Miles said, "We start off the year playing for that pretty crystal. No group of media voters can change that. We win on the field; not on the voter cards of some PAC 10 fans."
An LSU man present during the 2003 debate, Skip Bertman replied, "The AP mattered a long time ago, but it's a thing of the past. We will proudly accept the AP trophy, but we will not parade with it. We are having a bonfire before our celebration parade. As soon as we receive the trophy, we are burning it."
When asked about burning the oldest trophy in college football Miles stated, "It is what it is. Don't disrespect us. We will burn you. Why are you asking me these questions? Shouldn't you be investigating the Reggie Bush and USC story?"
LSU's victory parade is to commence at the LSU Athletic Department building January 19 at 10 A.M.
By LLOYD MICHAELS, AP Sports Writer
January 12, 2008
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (AP) -- LSU Athletic Director, Skip Bertman III, and Head Football Coach, Les Miles, are planning a celebration unusual, and many would say, disrespectful, after claiming the 2007 college football championship.
Defeating the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the Louisiana Superdome by an impressive display of offensive and defensive balance made the final 38-24 score make the game seem closer than it really was.
On the field after the game, the coach and players accepted the BCS trophy, which also is the Coaches' Poll trophy. The Tigers were later voted #1 by the Associated Press.
After hearing word that LSU was given the media's top ranking, angst began to spread through Tiger Town. The problem revolved around a perceived slight dating back to 2003 when the AP gave the USC Trojans its title even though LSU won the BCS Championship Game. LSU fans have since campaigned against the AP, discrediting the storied title. LSU fans went as far as erecting a billboard in front of USC's stadium to say that LSU was the only champion in 2003.
Les Miles, initially proud of winning the AP title, has since been swayed by the LSU bloggers and fans who say the AP is obsolete. "What can I say?" Miles said, "We start off the year playing for that pretty crystal. No group of media voters can change that. We win on the field; not on the voter cards of some PAC 10 fans."
An LSU man present during the 2003 debate, Skip Bertman replied, "The AP mattered a long time ago, but it's a thing of the past. We will proudly accept the AP trophy, but we will not parade with it. We are having a bonfire before our celebration parade. As soon as we receive the trophy, we are burning it."
When asked about burning the oldest trophy in college football Miles stated, "It is what it is. Don't disrespect us. We will burn you. Why are you asking me these questions? Shouldn't you be investigating the Reggie Bush and USC story?"
LSU's victory parade is to commence at the LSU Athletic Department building January 19 at 10 A.M.