Baton Rouge, La. — In a ceremony that blended the roar of the baseball diamond with the solemnity of academia, six members of the 2026 LSU Tigers baseball roster walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, joining a distinguished lineage of student‑athletes who have earned degrees over the past nineteen years.
The milestone underscores a broader narrative at LSU where athletic prowess and scholarly achievement are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing, a point highlighted by the university’s 137 degree‑earning baseball alumni since 2007 and 191 SEC Academic Honor Roll recognitions.
Among the graduates, Zac Cowan earned an interdisciplinary studies degree and capped his collegiate career with First‑Team All‑SEC honors, while Seth Dardar completed a construction‑management certificate and earned SEC Co‑Player of the Week accolades.
Grant Fontenot received a sport‑administration degree, positioning him as one of the team’s most reliable relievers, and DJ Primeaux finished a construction‑management program after amassing 35 career relief appearances.
Tanner Reaves, who contributed to the 2025 National Champions, graduated with a sport‑administration degree, and Chris Stanfield, a 2025 Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy winner, completed an interdisciplinary studies degree.
A Legacy of Dual Excellence
The ceremony also honored former Tiger Greg Deichmann, who earned a marketing degree through LSU Online and later helped lead the 2017 College World Series championship squad before being drafted by the Oakland Athletics and making a brief MLB appearance with the Chicago Cubs.
LSU’s commitment to academic excellence extends beyond baseball, reflected in its partnership with institutions such as Columbia University and its ongoing collaborations with professional teams and community organizations.
University officials praised the graduates for embodying the Tigers’ spirit of perseverance, noting that their achievements set a benchmark for future cohorts and reinforce the university’s reputation as a powerhouse both on the field and in the classroom.