LSU New Orleans Unveiled Purple and Gold Court
The university revealed a redesigned basketball floor at Lakefront Arena to mark a rebranding effort.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you believe investments in university athletic facilities help improve local school spirit?
LSU New Orleans athletic director Michael Giorlando debuted a new purple and gold basketball court at Lakefront Arena on October 9, 2026. The redesign replaces the previous blue and silver theme following the university's recent name change.
Why it matters
The court renovation serves as a centerpiece for the university's efforts to revitalize its athletic identity and basketball programs. This visual rebranding accompanies significant personnel and roster shifts as the school aims to establish a fresh image.
The men's basketball team retains four players for the 2026 season, while the women's team returns only one athlete. Assistant coach Ervin Johnson, who stands 6-foot-11, supports the coaching staff.
The players
Michael Giorlando
Michael Giorlando is the athletic director for LSU New Orleans who oversaw the court unveiling.
Ervin Johnson
Ervin Johnson is a 6-foot-11 former professional athlete serving as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team.
John Brady
John Brady acts as a senior athletics advisor for the university.
The details
The university hosted a luncheon at Lakefront Arena, utilizing a lighting reveal to showcase the new court surface featuring the Privateer logo. The department stripped away the old blue and silver aesthetic to finalize the transition to the new purple and gold brand identity.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: The new basketball court was unveiled at a luncheon.
October 24, 2026: Women's basketball team opens its season.
November 3, 2026: Men's basketball team begins its season.
November 7, 2026: Men's basketball team hosts Loyola-New Orleans.
Season Trajectory
This aesthetic overhaul signals a complete reset for the basketball program as it attempts to move past previous iterations of the team. The change underscores a high-stakes transition period for both squads as they integrate limited returning veterans with new recruits.
With only four men's players returning, the team's rotation relies heavily on new talent that has yet to be tested in competition. The limited number of returning veterans will likely force early season lineup volatility as the coaching staff identifies a core rotation.
The takeaway
The court reveal symbolizes the institutional pivot accompanying the university's recent renaming. Fans should monitor early-season games to see if the visual changes translate to improved on-court performance after significant roster turnover.
What happens next
The women's basketball team opens its season on October 24, 2026, followed by the men's season opener on November 3, 2026. The men's squad will hold its first home game against Loyola-New Orleans on November 7, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's upcoming schedule and roster updates, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
Live Poll
Do you believe investments in university athletic facilities help improve local school spirit?
