by www.LSUsports.net, LSU Sports Interactive
LSU Natatorium
Opened in the summer 1985, the LSU Natatorium has served as the exclusive home of the swimming and diving teams for the past 24 seasons.
The complex features a 50-meter pool, which can be converted into two 25-meter or 25-yard pools with the use of bulkheads. Furthermore, the facility houses a championship diving well, which was completely renovated in the summer 2003 with one- and three-meter springboards and five-, seven- and 10-meter platforms.
The programs recently upgraded the scoring system and unveiled a pair of state-of-the-art videoboards in the fall 2008. Refurbished locker rooms were also completed in September 1998. The spacious locker rooms feature separate varsity lockers, both for men and women, and include public showers and locker areas.
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| The LSU Natatorium Diving Well |
Recently, LSU has enjoyed considerable success in its home pool as the men’s and women’s teams have a combined 28-10-1 home record over the past two seasons, including wins over several nationally-ranked foes.
LSU will welcome some of the elite programs in the country once again this season with the likes of perennial national championship contenders Auburn and Tennessee and Big 12 powerhouse Texas A&M coming to Baton Rouge.
The landmark is located immediately north of LSU’s Carl Maddox Field House and can comfortably accommodate 2,200 spectators. New seating along the championship end of the pool has been added and will accommodate large crowds for dual-meet and championship competition. Admission to all LSU swimming and diving meets is free.
Natatorium Facts
Opened: Summer 1985
Length: 50 meters (splits to short-course length)
Diving: One- and three-meter springboards, and five-, seven- and 10-meter platform
Capacity: 2,200
Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes
Paramount to the success of the "student" half of the term student-athlete is providing LSU athletes with the best possible resources to excel in the classroom. For more than 20 years, the LSU Academic Center for Student-Athletes has helped to build well-rounded student-athletes. But as times change and technology advances, the need for further improvements still exists.
As a result, the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes opened its doors in November of 2002. A $15 million renovation to the Gym Armory not only made it among the nation's premier centers, but put it at the forefront. Improvements to the existing center give LSU student-athletes the best opportunity for success by providing access to the latest technology, as well as an array of expanded services.
- includes 54,000 square feet of working space
- includes 75 computer stations
- includes 14 private computer rooms in a state-of-the-art computer lab
- includes additional study rooms and classrooms for private or group study
- includes additional study areas for specialized learning
- includes a 1,000-seat auditorium
The improvements to the Gym Armory not only benefit the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes, but the entire University as well. The old gymnasium was transformed into a 1,000-seat auditorium the University will use for daily classes, presentations, lectures by distinguished University guests and other special academic events.
The 1,000-seat auditorium is used through the year as a classroom and lecture hall. Each seat in the auditorium has space for a laptop and a modem hookup, providing each student unlimited learning opportunities. The auditorium also contains a movie theatre size screen to aid professors with lectures and classroom activities.
The library provides a perfect setting for individual study, or with a tutor as group.
Included in the 54,000 square feet of the Academic Center are individual study areas as well as 14 private computer rooms for student-athletes to work one-on-one with tutors or by themselves.
Throughout the Academic Center are 75 computer stations, providing student-athletes with a quiet working environment for research, writing and studying.
Critical to the development of an athlete as a student is an adequate academic facility and capable staff to further the athlete's progress. The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes is responsible for overseeing the educational development and progress toward graduation for all student-athletes. The staff acts as a liaison between the student-athlete and the academic communities and insures that student-athletes comply with academic rules established by the University, NCAA and Southeastern Conference. The staff also coordinates academic programs designed to assist student-athletes in acquiring a quality education.
The Goal: For each student-athlete to reach and receive the highest-quality education and degree.
The Responsibility
- To oversee the educational development and progress toward graduation for all student-athletes
- Tutoring
- Career Counseling and Development
- Time Management
- Study Skills
- Insure that student-athletes comply with academic rules established by the University, NCAA and SEC
Weight Room
The LSU strength and conditioning facility, located in Tiger Stadium, was built in 1997 and features the latest in both strength training and cardiovascular training equipment.
Taking advantage of the best facilities in the nation, not surprisingly, LSU has had its share of Strength and Conditioning All-America recipients. LSU has had at least one Strength and Conditioning All-American five of the last seven years.
Amenities
28 multi-purpose power stations
36 assorted selectorized machines
10 dumbbell stations with 2 sets of 5-180 pound free weights
Custom made equipment by Body Masters and Eleiko
Martin J. Broussard Center for Athletic Training
LSU boasts the largest and most complete athletic training facility in all of collegiate athletics. Focused on aggressive rehabilitation, the Broussard Center for Athletic Training is furnished with the latest in technology and equipment. Some of the features of the 23,000-square foot facility include an on-site x-ray room, an in-house pharmacy, as well as state of the art hydrotherapy pools. The Broussard Center for Athletic Training is equipped with the largest hydrotherapy pools in both collegiate and professional sports and is one of the few collegiate training centers with a full-service pharmacy, as well as on-site x-ray room. LSU is also the only school in college athletics with a training room equipped with a full-service vision center. The facility is named in honor of legendary trainer Dr. Martin J. Broussard, who served as LSU's athletic trainer for several decades.
Amenities
23,000 square foot athletic training facility
On-site x-ray room
In-house full-service pharmacy
In-house dental and vision centers
A Hydrotherapy pool
Dr. Martin J. Broussard (1919-2003)
LSU's multi-million dollar athletic training facility is named in honor of Dr. Martin J. Broussard, the legendary trainer whose career spanned over 40 years at LSU, having been appointed to the position of head athletic trainer in 1948. Following his semi-retirement from the day-to-day work as trainer in 1993, he continued to serve the Athletic Department as an Assistant to the Athletic Director through 2001 giving him well over 50 years of service to the Athletic Department.
As a student-athlete at LSU, Broussard lettered in baseball and track and field in the mid-1940s, winning the Southeastern Conference broad jump title in 1944 and finishing second in the 200-yard dash. He was the high point scorer of any athlete in the 1944 SEC meet in Birmingham.
Broussard went on to play professional baseball, but served as student trainer for the football team during his undergraduate days. After receiving his B. S. in 1945 from LSU, he served single seasons as the head athletic trainer at the University of Florida and Texas A&M University before coming to LSU to begin a career that continued almost until his death.
Broussard received his master's of science degree from LSU in 1960, followed by his doctorate in 1967. He was promoted to full professor in 1970 and taught in the Health and Physical Education Department for over 40 years.
As a distinguished colleague in the field of athletic training, Broussard was one of five people to establish the governing body, the National Athletic Trainers Association as well as one of three people to establish the Southeastern Conference Trainer's Association. Over the years, he has served on the NATA's Board of Directors and the Ethics Committee and was acting President of the SEC Trainer's Association on three occasions.
Among his many accomplishments was the formulation of "Quick Kick", an isotonic drink used to replace liquids, vitamins and the electrolytes lost through sweating. His articles on training have been published on numerous occasions. He was a trainer for the Pan American Games in 1955 and the U.S. Olympic team in 1960. In 1963, the Rockne Foundation named him Trainer of the Year. In 1978, Broussard was named to the NATA Hall of Fame followed by the Louisiana Athletic Trainer's Hall of Fame in 1982.
