On August 25, 2026, a solemn crowd gathered at the Louisiana State University campus to honor Skip Bertman, the legendary baseball coach and former athletic director who passed away a week earlier.
Bertman, who died on August 14 at the age of 88, left behind a storied legacy that includes five College World Series championships and a transformative impact on the Southeastern Conference’s baseball reputation.
His simple yet powerful mantra, “Hold the rope,” resonated through the locker rooms and stands, embodying trust, teamwork, and the unbreakable bond between coach and player.
The Trophies Return
Five former LSU players, each a key figure on those championship teams, carried the five College World Series trophies into the ceremony, a symbolic gesture that linked past triumphs with present remembrance.
Governor Jeff Landry and Kathy Miles, longtime supporters of the program, were among the distinguished guests who took their seats alongside Rabbi Sarah Smiley, who offered a blessing that emphasized the enduring lessons of leadership and humility.
Herb Vincent, associate commissioner of the SEC, reflected on Bertman’s role in elevating baseball from a peripheral sport to a cornerstone of conference pride, noting that “half of the CWS titles since his era have borne the SEC seal.”
Bertman’s daughters—Lori, Jodi, and Jan—stood at the podium, sharing personal anecdotes that painted a picture of a man whose humor, strategic mind, and unwavering faith in his team shaped generations of athletes.
The ceremony also featured stories from Ben McDonald, who recalled Bertman’s uncanny ability to predict game outcomes with startling precision, and from Paul Byrd, whose 1991 performance was famously foretold by the coach.
Beyond the diamond, Bertman’s influence stretched into the broader culture of college sports, inspiring countless imitations of his storytelling and motivational techniques, and cementing his status as one of the most pivotal figures in SEC history.