Janice Guitreau’s suite Tiger life

Of the 19 suites at the new Alex Box Stadium, one has nostalgic flair. Janice and Billy Guitreau, Bobby and Candy Pearson and Amy and Chip Simon have decorated their suite with gobs of LSU baseball memorabilia.

Janice Guitreau’s love for baseball sparked when she was a child growing up in Alexandria. Her dad, Tex Maxie, was a commissioner for Dixie Youth Baseball. Guitreau fell in love with the sport and played throughout her upbringing. She and her husband, Billy Guitreau, have been avid LSU baseball fans, making the trip to Omaha seven times. “Over the years, you get to know everyone. We’ve gotten to know Skip and Sandy (Bertman) really well,” Guitreau says.

The Simons have a lot of history with LSU baseball as well. Chip Simon used to play for LSU as did his son Antoine Simon. So when everyone knew there would be suites at the stadium, the couples decided to share the space and the tickets. Word has traveled about this suite, and the couples greet visitors at every game. “Les Miles has come to visit. Major League Baseball scouts hear about it and come by to see the space, too,” says Guitreau.

The suite’s personality is eclectic, as each couple contributed to its decoration. As for Janice Guitreau’s favorite piece, it is the Jack Marucci bat she brought to the closing ceremony for the old Alex Box.

“I went around and had all the players sign it. I even got the TV announcers. I think I got just about everybody,” she says. For these fans, LSU baseball has reached a new level. They’ve created a unique space where they can bask in its history and enjoy good company.