Leah Vann
@LVann_Sports
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Journalist • Boot Queen • Native Texan • @chron Sports Culture/Astros ⚾️Past: @theadvocatebr LSU⚾️🏈 @GazetteOnIowa Iowa 🏈 @steamboatpilot• UT ‘17 • Medill ‘20
Houston, TX
Joined August 2011
Spent months reporting this and excited to finally see it published! Talked to doctors, coaches and even some of the Houston Astros about the youth baseball industry & the rise in throwing injuries. Give it a read ⬇️.
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What if sports writers put datelines of where we actually wrote our stories? . IN MY CAR AT THE GAS STATION —.AT A MCDONALDS —.IN THE BLEACHERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL —.A RESTAURANT I FOUND WITH WIFI — .A PRESS BOX WITH NO HEATER —.
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I’m at the champions for healthy families fashion show featuring the Astros’ wives— and safe to say the Kikuchi family stole the show on this one
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Find you a man who cheers you on the way Josh Hader did for his wife, Maria, today.
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Nov. 11, 2010 - Diagnosed with Leukemia .Nov. 11, 2022 - Traveling to Fayetteville to cover LSU at Arkansas 🏈. On this 12-year anniversary of the worst day of my life, I am acknowledging what a blessing it is to be alive — there was only a 50% chance I’d make it this far 🧡
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Press conference was at noon, I was running from a doctor’s appointment. Got there at 11:57. Brian Kelly called me out, said jokingly I owed him $10, I said if he won maybe I’d be on time. Not my finest hour. I apologized afterward, he was super chill and said I still owe him $10.
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Backup QB Garrett Nussmeier on why he didn’t enter the transfer portal: . “It matters to me to wear this state on my chest. I think it means something to a lot of guys on our team. I was born in Lake Charles. My family is in Lake Charles. Being a kid who moved around so much.
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It is quite frankly sexist to exploit a young woman and how she makes money to fit a preconceived narrative you set out to write .
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The football watching experience:. 🏈.Donald Trump ad .Kamala Harris ad.Colin Allred ad .🏈.Ted Cruz ad.Allred ad.Harris ad.Trump ad.🏈.Harris ad.Cruz ad.Allred ad .Trump ad.Cruz ad .🏈.Trump ad .Harris ad.
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Texas: “We beat Bama in Tuscaloosa”. CFP committee: “But Bo Nix beat Oregon State”.
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Nate Ackenhausen said that Jay Johnson texted him at 8:56 a.m. this morning that he was going to start. He slept in today, so he texted back at 11:10 . “I’ll give it all I got.”. Johnson: “I can confirm the time lapse.”. #LSU.
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Well, I’m 28 years old today 🎉🎂. From 27, I learned….-make time for friendships outside of your job, because happiness is important.-experience Mardi Gras.-it’s ok to be humble, it’s not ok to turn that into negative self-talk.-don’t throw away the white boots you haven’t worn
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11 years ago today, I was diagnosed with the same Leukemia that killed my dad. Hearing a death sentence at 15 changed me— It drove me to unapologetically chase my dreams. Today, I’m thankful for the doctors at @CookChildrens @StJude. Clear eyes. Full Hearts. Clear Blood Counts!
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From traveling to Orlando to profile Dylan Crews ➡️ covering the CWS— what a season. -45 nights in hotels.-covering 66 of 71 games.-240 posts on @theadvocatebr.From the phone calls to the in-person interviews, it’s been a helluva ride. Time to geaux home. #LSU
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13 years cancer-free today . Sick kid at the high school football state championship -> sports reporter. The skeletal girl who dressed up for a day out of the hospital -> the strong woman who never travels without her cowboy boots
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Christian Little will not sign his pro contract and will return to LSU, he confirms to me. #LSU.
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OH. MY. GOD. Tommy White knocks his 23rd home run of the season to win It! . LSU is going to the SHIP! #LSU.
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Cade Beloso: “I’m kind of sad the season’s over. We’re not going to go to practice and play anymore.” #LSU.
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RHP Camden Minacci is from Tampa— where Tommy White is from. White embraced him after that home run. “Their season is over. They had high expectations coming into this game and they played great. I’ve played with him and against him my whole life and he’s one of my close.
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Some news… I’m leaving The Advocate. My last day will be Tuesday, Aug. 22. Louisiana, it’s been a helluva ride and I’ll miss the people the most. But y’all know where my heart is, and after six years away— I’m coming home to Texas for a new opportunity. #LSU
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Recorded a podcast, but mostly picked her brain for advice on how to be a better football reporter off camera (sorry not sorry). Appreciate @sportsiren for being so generous with her time to talk shop 🏈
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“I would not leave LSU to be the manager of the New York Yankees, this is the best job in baseball.”—Jay Johnson #LSU.
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Spencer Arrighetti last night: . "I am on fucking cloud nine. Sorry. I've been in the stadium for games like this. I've watched it happen as a fan. I've celebrated in my own ways many times, but I've got to say: this is the best way. This is the greatest feeling in sports.".
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Jay Johnson gave us this anecdote:. Gavin Guidry popped his head into his office after the news that Wes Johnson is leaving and said, “Hey coach, doesn’t matter who’s calling the pitches, I’m going to strike them out. Have a good night.” . #LSU.
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Ever since I was a little girl arguing with the boys at lunch about the BCS standings, I’ve wanted to work in football. Starting Jan. 11, I’ll be the HAWKEYE FOOTBALL BEAT WRITER for @CRGazetteSports!!!!! . I’M COVERING BIG TEN FOOTBALL, Y’ALL! 🏈.
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Ty Floyd now holds the new single-game record for strikeouts in the College World Series. He just fired his 17th strikeout. Insanity. #LSU.
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Which airport do native Houstonians prefer? IAH or Hobby? I'm curious because I feel like I usually have a more pleasant experience at Hobby. IAH is daunting.
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Brian Kelly on the rumors: . "There are no coaches or support staff that are currently with me that have done anything that would require me to feel as they haven't met the highest of standards that are required." . #LSU.
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Today, I am celebrating 12 years of being cancer-free. Since sports served as my escape during treatment, inspiring me to be a writer, I asked fans if this team had done the same for them. I found Addison, whose story resonated with me deeply. #LSU .
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Today marks 11 years since my last cancer treatment. According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of survival 5 years after a diagnosis with AML (Leukemia) is 29.5%. @CookChildrens and @StJude helped me beat those odds. Let’s keep counting. #CancerFree
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Johnson on Alex Milazzo: “I had emails from fans to get rid of Milazzo— I looked up at the board tonight and he’s batting over .290… and he’s one of the best defensive catchers in college baseball.” #LSU.
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Jose Urquidy hugs Ryan Pressly then gives his wife flowers on the runway
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It is now Texas Basketball and Texas Men’s Basketball. No further questions.
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Jay Johnson on the “L-S-U” chants: “I didn’t even know they won— congrats to them, Kim Mulkey is the best coach in the world. I can’t wait to talk coaching with her this summer. …but I didn’t know. I thought everyone was just excited to see Griffin Herring pitch.” #LSU.
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I've lived in Houston for six months and there's been a derecho & a hurricane. I admire people who have endured a lifetime of this & worse.
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Today marks 14 years since my Leukemia diagnosis. And I remember one of the first things I was upset about was not going to my high school’s playoff football game. I’ve covered many, many games since.
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“I wasn’t going to come to school to be some ordinary player. I wanted to be the next Alex Bregman, Odell Beckham Jr. or Shaquille O’Neal of LSU.” —Dylan Crews . On his journey, and a glimpse of who Dylan Crews really is 👇🏻 #LSU .
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My best friend booked her wedding outside of both college baseball and college football season. This is what true friendship looks like.
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We just watched an epic basketball game with the top talent in the country and the discourse is how women should act about a win or loss. lol bye.
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Steven Milam, the No. 1 overall player and shortstop out of New Mexico and No. 32 shortstop in the nation, Is coming to LSU, he confirms. He was not drafted. #LSU.
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The responses.
Talking with Sugar Land players following the PCL Championship win and @LVann_Sports asked them about the disrespect the Astros minor league system got at the beginning of the season. Let’s just say their answers were…. very passionate.
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Tre’ Morgan: “I don’t want to cry in my own dugout this year, I want to cry in Omaha because we won.” #LSU.
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Brian Kelly said Perkins got sick and through up before the game and so Kelly said “Hey MJ threw up before his greatest game” and he goes “Who’s MJ?” #LSU.
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Wes Johnson on Thatcher Hurd getting the start: “Jay and I were sitting there and we just thought, you know, this is a guy who's been throwing the ball extremely well. The moment is not gonna be too big for him now. He's turning the corner. We're really excited about him. I knew.
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Alex Milazzo is returning for the 2024 season. Turned down his last free agent offer a few hours ago, per source. #LSU.
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Excuse me while I flex on your Twitter timeline, but I finished cancer treatment 10 years ago today. 10 YEARS CANCER-FREE!
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Some bittersweet news. Saturday will be my last day as the Iowa football beat writer for The Gazette. I’m ecstatic to be joining @theadvocatebr as an LSU football & baseball beat writer. This was an unexpected opportunity close to home and I’m so thankful for my short time here.
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Verlander on the standing ovation he received from the fans: “That was honestly pretty special to me. These fans… they know the game…For them to have that ovation after such a difficult day— it touched me.”.
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Johnson: “I love Jordan (Thompson)- we wouldn't be in the College World Series without Jordan and how he's played this year. He's had a tough, tough tournament offensively. But there's been a lot of stories in the College World Series of guys struggle, struggle, struggle, and.
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Both Johnson & Skenes said there was never any doubt Skenes was pitching today. After LSU lost that game vs. Wake on monday, Johnson laid out a plan on a white board: . "I just wrote out Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. On Tuesday I wrote Nate's name down.
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Jay Johnson will catch Paul Mainieri’s first pitch tonight, symbolic passing of the torch. Mainieri caught the first pitch from Skip Bertman during his first game also. #LSU.
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Paul Skenes on Ole Miss: “I don’t think they’ll be throwing a lot of beer this weekend.” #LSU
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Ackenhausen and Cooper are roommates. Someone asked what they do outside of baseball and they both responded “nothing.” And then Cooper was like “maybe watch movies.” #LSU.
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Skenes has a new pair of spikes from Boot Up customs . I wrote about the artist behind them, Michael Anderson, earlier this season and who he has customized shoes for: #LSU
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Kelly said he took his headset off in certain defensive situations because he wanted to hear the crowd #LSU.
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Crews: "It's hard to make that decision as a young kid to take yourself out of the draft and go to college. But looking back, It was the best decision I've ever made. I've definitely grown for sure having guys like Belly (Cade Beloso) and Dugas (Gavin Dugas) and all those guys.
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Tulane coach Jay Uhlman: “The fact they ran Skenes out for 120+ pitches and didn’t go to their bullpen against us— I’d like to take that as a measure of respect.” #LSU.
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I’m going to this wedding for a high school friend whose wedding party consists of girls who bullied me in high school for “talking about going to Texas too much” senior year— so I definitely ordered two different burnt orange dress options to wear. They went to Blinn/A&M.
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We are transitioning into that time of year where I send a bunch of DMs to dudes in the portal or incoming freshmen asking if they are coming to LSU and have to preface with the fact I am a reporter and not a total creep.
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I’m sick of men thinking passionate women are villains. I’m sick of men thinking a little sass and trash talk is criminal then plead for male athletes who commit actual crimes to play more. We take our cookies with hot sauce. Deal with it.
Kim Mulkey was asked about the perception people have about her LSU team. In her response, she brought up recent LA Times article she read about the matchup between UCLA and LSU. "I'm not going to let sexism continue. How dare people attack kids like that."
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Tre’ Morgan on crying in his own dugout vs. crying in Omaha: “I do remember saying that. Once we knew we had it— walked up there a bunch of hugs and tears all over the place. It was a full circle moment for me because the goal was achieved. This is achieved.” #LSU.
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Vitello on Gavin Dugas: “I don't know what we did to Gavin (Dugas) but he hates us. I’m only speaking in brevity— best I can do. He's done well against us for the four games we've played this year.” #LSU.
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Johnson: “I've had a team in this position before, lost a 1-0 heartbreaker against Oklahoma State and won three consecutive games to play for a national championship…let’s stick to what we do and we’ll be in a good spot.” #LSU.
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Feeling personally attacked as they asked if LSU baseball is a bigger brand than Texas and I said yes —might get disowned by my own people but LSU fans watch midweek games and Texas can’t get students to go to games because the stadium is far and has expensive parking 😭😭😭.
Is @LSUbaseball the biggest brand in College Baseball?.
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Bo Nix's 78% completion percentage: .67% of his passes range from behind the line of scrimmage -> 9 yards, which makes up 2,007 of his 3, 852 passing yards this season. which are mainly receivers extending plays after the catch.Average depth of throw is 30.4 yards, 19th overall.
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Tre’ Morgan is batting .333 in Omaha with two doubles, a triple, 3 RBIs & 1 walk. And he’s making plays like this. #LSU.
The walk-off HR in extra innings is the headline. And rightfully so. But this was the moment that allowed it to happen. Louisiana HS baseball players come through, once again.
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Today I asked Texas vball coach Jerritt Elliott his reaction to Nebraska’s volleyball night a few weeks ago: . “What Nebraska did is great for our game. You’re starting to see attendance records break everywhere. Next week after that Wisconsin had 18,000 and Louisville had.
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Jay Johnson: "So I didn't prepare a lot for this speech today because I was working on the 2024 season. " . lol #LSU.
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Misogyny is alive and well during this rain delay. When I have an update, I will tweet it. #LSU
@LVann_Sports Leah, stop updating your online dating profile and go get us actual information on what’s going on here.
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Paul Skenes on the environment: "I expected it to be a lot worse because you hear about Texas A&M and how bad their fans are and the 12th man and whatever, like I was coming in and preparing for the most hostile game I've ever pitched and it wasn't bad at all. I think I handled.
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Thatcher Hurd: “I mean, like, I was ready to die on that hill and we're gonna win at any cost.” #LSU.
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Lol this is ridiculous #LSU.
Dylan Crews today so far: . 3-3, 1B, 2 HR, 2R, 5 RBI . IT’S ONLY THE 4TH INNING 😳
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Baton Rouge Billboards:.Lawyer.Lawyer.Lawyer .Lawyer .DraftKings.Lawyer.Lawyer .Sexually Risky?.Lawyer .Lawyer .Lawyer.
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Ok shooting my shot: . @sportsiren, I’m a fellow cancer survivor, am the only woman beat writer for the Iowa Hawkeyes and I’m wondering if you can come on the @GazetteOnIowa podcast for a few minutes to talk football. (Zoom). Also I want to meet you Saturday.
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Tweeting some updates from the Jay Johnson show: . "I'm personally inviting Alexis Morris to throw out a first pitch. because that fourth quarter? She can play for me." - Johnson #LSU.
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Grant Taylor confirms to me that he will not return to LSU next year. Said going into the draft he knew it was a 50/50 chance he'd get drafted high enough to make that decision. "I was pretty surprised. Everything that I heard was kind of a little bit later in the draft. So I.
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Kirk Ferentz asking the media where our Busch Lights are is peak Iowa.
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Thatcher Hurd and Jordan Thompson were at Paul Skenes' draft watch party. (They are all from California, but cool they got to share this moment) . #LSU.
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