The recent graduation ceremony at Louisiana State University highlighted a remarkable blend of athletic prowess and scholarly achievement, as six seniors from the 2026 LSU Baseball roster walked across the stage alongside former standout Greg Deichmann.
Champions in the Classroom
Each of the graduating players has distinguished himself not only with performances that helped the Tigers capture the 2025 College World Series title, but also with academic honors that reflect disciplined effort off the field. Zac Cowan, a First‑Team All‑SEC selection, earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies and was recognized on the 2025 SEC Academic Honor Roll. Similarly, DJ Primeaux and Tanner Reaves, both two‑time SEC Academic Honor Roll members, completed degrees in construction management and sport administration, respectively.
The cohort also includes Seth Dardar, who balanced his LSU commitments with an online construction management certificate from Columbia University, and Grant Fontenot, whose sport administration degree capped a stint on the 2025 National Championship team. Chris Stanfield, another SEC Honor Roll member, finished his interdisciplinary studies while preparing for a future in professional baseball, and he was recently honored with the Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy for his off‑field contributions.
Joining the recent graduates was Greg Deichmann, a 2017 First‑Team All‑American who helped lead LSU to a College World Series Championship Series victory. Deichmann, who earned a marketing degree through LSU Online’s Project Graduation program, was drafted in the second round by the Oakland Athletics and later appeared in a Major League Baseball game with the Chicago Cubs, illustrating a full circle from collegiate star to professional athlete who values education.
The achievements of these student‑athletes are part of a broader narrative that has seen 137 degree recipients over the past 19 years within the LSU baseball program. The program’s emphasis on academic recognition is reflected in 191 SEC Academic Honor Roll listings since 2007, a testament to a culture that prizes scholarship as much as sport.
University officials praised the graduates for embodying the institution’s mission to develop well‑rounded leaders. By celebrating both athletic championships and academic milestones, LSU reinforces its reputation as a powerhouse that cultivates talent that succeeds in the boardroom, the community, and the stadium alike.