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College Baseball Icon Bertman Passes Away
19 Aug
Summary
- Won five national titles coaching LSU baseball over 18 seasons.
- Voted second-best college baseball coach of the 20th century.
- Transformed LSU baseball into a national powerhouse with innovative tactics.
Skip Bertman, the iconic coach who led Louisiana State University's baseball team to five national championships, has passed away at 88. Bertman's tenure from 1983 to 2001 saw him transform LSU baseball from an afterthought into a dominant force, often playing to packed stadiums.
His innovative strategies and promotional flair, learned during his time as an associate coach at the University of Miami, revitalized the program. Bertman's Tigers won titles in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000, earning him widespread recognition, including being voted the second-best college baseball coach of the 20th century.
Beyond his LSU success, Bertman also coached the U.S. Olympic baseball team to a bronze medal in 1996 and mentored numerous future Major League Baseball stars. After retiring from coaching, he served as LSU's athletic director, continuing to influence the school's athletic programs.
