BATON ROUGE, LA — In a move that perfectly reflects her fiery leadership and unwavering love for the LSU community, head coach Kim Mulkey has made a bold statement: she’s covering the cost of student tickets for the NCAA Tournament games held at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC).
Let that sink in.
While many programs talk about “home-court advantage,” “building culture,” or “student engagement,” Mulkey is out here putting her money where her mouth is — literally. In a year where the LSU women’s basketball team is once again chasing national championship glory, Mulkey is ensuring that her squad plays in front of the loudest, most passionate, and most purple-and-gold crowd possible. And she knows exactly where that energy comes from: the student section.
“I Want the Students There — Loud and Proud”
Known for her unapologetic style and fierce loyalty, Mulkey didn’t just make this announcement with a press release. She showed up at the Student Union, grabbed a mic, and made the promise in person — to cheers, gasps, and full-on Tiger roars from the student body.
“These games are not just for us,” Mulkey said. “They’re for LSU. For the students. For the kids in purple and gold who camp out in the cold for SEC games, who live and breathe LSU sports. We need them in the PMAC, and I don’t want anything — especially money — getting in the way of that.”
This isn’t just hype. This is Mulkey putting students first, reinforcing what it means to be part of LSU’s athletic family. She knows the value of home-court advantage — especially during the NCAA Tournament, where intensity is magnified and every possession matters. She also knows how much her players feed off the noise, the chaos, the chants of “L-S-U!” echoing through the PMAC.
And now? Every student who wants to be part of that atmosphere can do so — on Kim Mulkey’s dime.
The Power of the PMAC
The Pete Maravich Assembly Center, affectionately known as “The PMAC,” has long been one of the most intimidating venues in women’s college basketball. But under Mulkey, it has transformed into something even more electric — a full-fledged fortress.
Last season, LSU averaged 10,000+ fans per game, and student turnout hit record highs during conference play. When South Carolina came to town, the PMAC was a madhouse. When the Tigers took on Tennessee, it was a wall of noise from the opening tip. And during their SEC Championship run and deep NCAA Tournament performance, LSU fans showed the nation that Baton Rouge doesn’t just care about football — it lives and breathes women’s basketball.
Now, with the team poised to host early-round NCAA Tournament games, there’s an opportunity to make history — not just on the court, but in the stands.
“We want to turn the PMAC into a place nobody wants to play,” said senior forward Angel Reese, one of the stars of LSU’s title run. “And when those students show up screaming in the third quarter, that’s the boost we feel. That’s what makes us dangerous.”
Mulkey’s Legacy: More Than Wins
Kim Mulkey is no stranger to championships. She’s a three-time NCAA title-winning coach (Baylor, 2005, 2012, and LSU, 2023), a Hall of Famer, and one of the most recognizable figures in women’s basketball. But what separates her from many of her peers is her ability to connect — with her players, her fans, and especially with LSU students.
Her decision to pay for student tickets isn’t about PR. It’s personal.
“When I walk around campus and see students wearing our players’ jerseys or talking about our games, it means something,” Mulkey said. “These kids are giving us their energy, their belief, their voices. So I’m giving them the seat they deserve.”
And students have responded. Social media exploded with excitement as soon as the announcement was made. LSU’s student ticketing site saw record log-ins, and student leaders began organizing “PMAC Pack-In” events to encourage mass turnout.
“Coach Mulkey gets it,” said LSU Student Government President Kennedy Dupre. “She’s not just coaching a team — she’s leading a movement. We’ll be there in full force.”
March Madness in Baton Rouge
Hosting NCAA Tournament games is both an honor and a challenge. The pressure is immense, the spotlight is bright, and every team entering the PMAC will be gunning for an upset. But LSU isn’t backing down. With a roster full of returning stars — including Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, and sharpshooter Hailey Van Lith — the Tigers are eyeing another Final Four run.
The road to Cleveland (the site of the 2025 Women’s Final Four) starts in Baton Rouge. And with a raucous home crowd behind them, LSU’s odds are looking mighty strong.
“You defend your home turf,” said assistant coach Bob Starkey, a veteran presence on the bench. “And when that gym is full, when it’s rocking, our players elevate. This is what March is all about.”
A Full-Court Press on Fan Experience
Mulkey’s generosity is just one part of LSU’s larger push to enhance the March Madness atmosphere on campus. The athletic department is planning pep rallies, live DJ sets outside the PMAC, free giveaways for students, and even custom “Mulkey Madness” t-shirts for the first 2,000 students through the door.
The team is also working closely with the LSU band, cheerleaders, and Golden Girls to create a game-day environment that rivals any Power Five basketball program in the country.
“We want it to feel like an SEC football Saturday,” said LSU Associate AD Shelby Thomas. “This is our chance to show the world what LSU basketball is all about.”
The Players Feel the Love
For LSU’s players, the support means everything. In a sport that still fights for equal attention and resources, seeing a sold-out PMAC — full of screaming students, waving signs, and singing the LSU fight song — is validation. It’s fuel. It’s family.
“There’s nothing like playing in front of your people,” said junior guard Last-Tear Poa. “It’s not just noise. It’s energy. It’s love. It gives us that edge when the game is tight.”
Freshman forward Aalyah Del Rosario, one of the top recruits in the nation, says she chose LSU in part because of the fan culture — and Mulkey’s approachability.
“Coach Mulkey talks to us like we’re her daughters,” Del Rosario said. “And when she says she’ll take care of the fans, we know she means it.”
Why This Matters Beyond Basketball
Mulkey’s ticket move isn’t just a win for the team — it’s a win for women’s sports, for student-athlete engagement, and for the next generation of fans. It sets a precedent. It says that LSU values its students, and that support for women’s basketball isn’t a side project — it’s a central pillar of Tiger pride.
In a year where women’s sports viewership continues to rise — and the LSU brand has become nationally recognized, thanks in part to Angel Reese’s NIL presence and the team’s charismatic style of play — this move sends a clear message: Women’s basketball is worth investing in.
“This isn’t a one-time thing,” said Mulkey. “This is the beginning of a tradition. A student section that scares the other team. A home court that gives us a real edge. That’s what we’re building here.”
How to Get Tickets
LSU students can claim their free NCAA Tournament tickets through the official student portal. The games will be held at the PMAC starting [insert official date here based on bracket release], and students are encouraged to arrive early and bring the noise.
The athletic department has also designated student-only entrances and will provide free rally towels, LSU face paint stations, and special student food zones outside the arena.
For the general public, ticket sales have already surged, with multiple sections selling out in the first 48 hours following Mulkey’s announcement. LSU fans from all over the state — and the country — are making plans to be in Baton Rouge for March Madness.
