LSU students pack the stands at the NCAA Tournament as Kim Mulkey makes a big move.
The NCAA Tournament is a monumental event in the college sports world, and in 2025, LSU Women’s Basketball made an unforgettable statement under the leadership of their head coach, Kim Mulkey. Not only did LSU’s dominant performance on the court captivate the nation, but the palpable energy and excitement that radiated from the stands also demonstrated a shift in the culture of LSU women’s athletics. Students, fans, and alumni rallied together, creating an electric atmosphere, which only intensified as Mulkey made a big move that would leave a lasting mark on both her program and the broader landscape of college basketball.
The Rise of LSU Women’s Basketball
For years, LSU Women’s Basketball has been a program with a rich history and tradition, but in recent seasons, it had struggled to reach the level of prominence seen in other powerhouse programs. However, the hiring of Kim Mulkey in 2021 marked a turning point. Known for her championship pedigree and relentless work ethic, Mulkey came to Baton Rouge with one goal in mind: to build a national championship contender.
Before arriving at LSU, Mulkey had already made a name for herself as one of the most successful coaches in the history of college basketball. Her tenure at Baylor was marked by three NCAA titles, countless conference championships, and a legacy of developing players who went on to have successful careers in the WNBA and beyond. Mulkey’s success at Baylor made her a household name, and her decision to move to LSU signaled the beginning of a new era for the Tigers.
From the moment Mulkey took the reins at LSU, she set out to change the culture. She focused on recruiting top-tier talent, creating a winning mentality, and instilling confidence in her players. The results came quickly. By the 2024-2025 season, LSU Women’s Basketball had transformed from a competitive but underachieving program to a legitimate national title contender.
The team’s success on the court was undeniable, but what really set them apart was the growing support from the student body and local community. LSU students, many of whom had grown up watching the men’s team dominate but had seen the women’s team fall short, began to take notice of the Tigers’ impressive run. As Mulkey and her players showed that they could compete at the highest level, the student section became a force to be reckoned with, and the stands at Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) began to fill up with passionate supporters.
The Surge of Student Support
LSU students, known for their school spirit, have long been an integral part of the Tigers’ athletic programs. However, the energy surrounding the women’s basketball team under Kim Mulkey was different. For years, the women’s team played in front of relatively sparse crowds, despite their consistent competitiveness. That all began to change as Mulkey’s Tigers started winning at a high level, and the excitement for the NCAA Tournament was palpable.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament was especially significant because LSU was not only poised to make a deep run, but the team had become a legitimate contender for the national title. LSU’s tournament games became an event, with students showing up in droves to support their team. The PMAC was filled with raucous energy, as chants of “Go Tigers!” echoed throughout the arena. The atmosphere inside the stadium became one of the most electric in women’s basketball, and it was clear that Mulkey had cultivated a fan base that was ready to back their team through thick and thin.
LSU students were not only vocal in their support, but they also created a visually striking presence. The stands were awash in a sea of purple and gold as students painted their faces, donned LSU gear, and created signs that displayed their unwavering commitment to the team. The student section became the heartbeat of the arena, fueling the players with every cheer and every chant.
The Tigers’ success in the tournament, combined with the energy from the student body, created a unique synergy that elevated the entire experience. Every game felt like a celebration of LSU’s basketball culture, with students turning each matchup into a spectacle. It was clear that Mulkey’s influence had spread beyond the locker room and into the very fabric of the LSU community.
Mulkey’s Big Move
As the NCAA Tournament progressed, the LSU Women’s Basketball team demonstrated their superiority on the court. However, it was an off-the-court move by Kim Mulkey that captured national attention and further solidified her status as one of the most influential figures in the sport.
The “big move” came when Mulkey made a bold decision regarding the tournament’s venue for the Tigers’ games. After a string of impressive performances, LSU had earned the right to play in one of the regional finals, and Mulkey took the opportunity to make a statement about her team’s readiness to compete for a national title. Rather than opting for the traditional route of playing in neutral-site venues that had been pre-selected by the NCAA, Mulkey pushed for LSU to host one of the regional final games at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
This was a move that was both strategic and symbolic. Hosting a regional final at PMAC would not only give LSU the home-court advantage, but it would also send a message to the rest of the college basketball world: LSU was a force to be reckoned with, and they were going to demand the spotlight.
The NCAA had never before allowed a team to host a regional final without being a designated host site, but Mulkey’s reputation and the growing momentum surrounding the team made this an opportunity too important to pass up. She campaigned hard for the venue change, citing the electric atmosphere and the strong support from the LSU student body and local fans. The NCAA, recognizing the overwhelming support and the excitement surrounding LSU’s run, agreed to the proposal.
As a result, the Tigers played in front of a home crowd in Baton Rouge, and the energy inside PMAC was absolutely electric. The students, alumni, and fans packed the stands to witness the monumental moment, and the Tigers fed off the crowd’s energy. The atmosphere in Baton Rouge was nothing short of electric, and it was evident that LSU was no longer just a participant in the NCAA Tournament—they were a team on a mission, and their fans were right there with them.
The Impact of the Big Move
Kim Mulkey’s decision to have LSU host the regional final had far-reaching implications, both for the team and for women’s sports as a whole. By pushing for this change, Mulkey not only showcased her leadership but also highlighted the importance of women’s basketball and the need for women’s teams to have the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Her move was a statement of empowerment, underscoring her commitment to raising the profile of LSU Women’s Basketball and ensuring that her players were given the best possible platform to succeed.
The success of the game in Baton Rouge was undeniable. LSU not only won the regional final but also showed that women’s sports could generate the same level of excitement and passion as men’s sports. The victory was a testament to the hard work, determination, and vision that Kim Mulkey had instilled in her players and her fans. The significance of the moment was clear: LSU was now a powerhouse, and their impact on the women’s college basketball landscape was just beginning.
Moreover, the move helped to elevate the status of the women’s NCAA Tournament as a whole. The success of LSU’s games in Baton Rouge demonstrated that there was a real demand for women’s sports to be showcased on a national stage. The energy from the students and the local community proved that, when given the opportunity, women’s basketball could generate the same level of enthusiasm and attention as any other sport.
As LSU’s women’s basketball team made a deep run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the story was no longer just about the players on the court. It was about the culture that Kim Mulkey had built, the support of the student body, and the undeniable impact that LSU Women’s Basketball was having on the national stage.
The electric atmosphere in the stands at PMAC, with students packing the arena and cheering on their team, served as a reminder of the power of community and school spirit. Kim Mulkey’s big move to have LSU host the regional final was a defining moment in the history of the program, and it proved that LSU was ready to take its place among the elite teams in women’s college basketball.
With Mulkey at the helm and the students and fans in full support, LSU Women’s Basketball had not only captured the nation’s attention but had also paved the way for the future of women’s sports. The team’s success, both on and off the court, was a testament to the power of leadership, dedication, and the unwavering support of a community united behind a common cause. The 2025 NCAA Tournament would go down as the year that LSU, led by Kim Mulkey, made its mark on the sport of women’s basketball, and the passionate student section would forever be a part of that legacy.