ALEXANDRIA, La. – Over 600 people gathered at the Randolph Riverfront Center in downtown Alexandria for the sixth annual Shrimp Jam, hosted by the Generals Athletic Association and LSUA Foundation.
 
"This was an incredible night of our CenLa community coming together to support LSUA and our student-athletes," Assistant Vice Chancellor for intercollegiate Athletics Tyler Unsicker said. It is a great way to kick-off the upcoming year."
 
LSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry was the keynote speaker. A native of New Iberia, Louisiana, Aubserry was named LSU's 11^th Director of Athletics in November 2025 following more than 30 years of service to the University. In his first months in the AD position, Ausberry led LSU's hire of Lane Kiffin as its new football coach and the hire of Will Wade in his second stint as the Tigers' men's basketball coach.
 
Ausberry has long played a pivotal role in all facets of the formalized planning and processes for LSU athletics. He joined the department in 1991 as an intern in the compliance office and has gone on to serve the Tigers in academics, fundraising, corporate relations, marketing, game management, sport administration, life skills, sports medicine and performance, equipment and alumni relations.
 
As an athlete, he excelled in football, basketball, and the shot and javelin in track. All-State football honors earned him a four-year scholarship to LSU, where he went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1990, a Master of Education in 1992 and a Specialist in Higher Education Administration in 2004. As an elite LSU Tigers linebacker from 1986-1990, he was a four-year letterwinner, a two-year captain on defense and a member of two SEC Championship teams who played in four straight bowl games.
 
The event raised money to help support student-athletes at Louisiana State University of Alexandria and the work of the LSUA Foundation. A live auction included items and experiences like a Reel Cajun fishing excursion for four, A Magical Night in New Orleans, an LSU v Alabama football game day experience, an evening of pickleball, spirits, and firelight, and an exclusive evening at the Diamond Grill. Silent auction items included a host of LSU sports memorabilia and items from professional athletes. Lynn Sanders and Catherine Crockett McCrory also raffled off artwork.
 
A shrimp dinner was provided by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.