BATON ROUGE - Coach Kim Mulkey delivered a speech in front of LSU's fans back home just a day after the Tigers won their first national title in program history. 

The celebration was held 12:30 p.m. Monday at the PMAC. Mulkey spent roughly 10 minutes thanking her players, giving special shout-outs to biggest difference makers from the championship.

Watch the full celebration, including Mulkey's speech, on the WBRZ YouTube channel.

LSU also announced there will be a parade on campus at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, which will end back at the PMAC. The university is expected to release more details later Monday. 

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DENVER, Co. - President Joe Biden has formally invited the LSU Tigers and UConn Huskies to the White House to celebrate their wins in the women's and men's basketball finals.

Notably absent from the guest list is the Iowa Hawkeyes, whom First Lady Jill Biden publicly suggested could get an invite despite losing out to LSU on Sunday. The first lady backpedaled Tuesday on the suggestion, an idea which many in Louisiana felt downplayed LSU's win. 

A statement from Jill Biden's press secretary clarified her comments.

Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House.

— Vanessa Valdivia (@vvaldivia46) April 4, 2023

The president formally tweeted about the Tigers' invite shortly afterward. 

We can all learn a lot from watching these champions compete — and I look forward to welcoming them at each of their White House visits.

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 4, 2023

The reversal comes just a day after the first lady commented that she wanted to honor both LSU and Iowa after the title game. 

"I know we'll have the champions come to the White House, we always do, so we'll have LSU come. But you know what? I'm going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come too because they played such a good game," Jill Biden said. "Winners and losers, that's sportsmanship, right?"

LSU star Angel Reese called the suggestion a "joke."

??????A JOKE. https://t.co/9SiOKQNqbj

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 3, 2023

The comments immediately drew ire from not just LSU fans and players, but high-profile figures in sports media and even several Louisiana lawmakers weighed in. 

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter released the following statement Monday evening: 

“Louisiana State University’s Women’s Basketball team won the 2023 NCAA Basketball championship and should enjoy their historic victory singularly. With no disrespect to the outstanding players from Iowa, they did not win. The exceptional Louisiana Tigers are the indisputable winners of the championship, and this win is theirs and theirs alone. An invitation to the Iowa team would be at the expense of our Louisiana athletes. I know the First Lady meant no harm by commenting that the University of Iowa should also be invited to the White House, but her remark was an unintentional slight to the ladies of LSU and the citizens of Louisiana. I am respectfully requesting that these Louisiana champions enjoy the winner’s circle alone.”

Jill Biden was at the national title game on Sunday when LSU beat Iowa 102-85. Biden was in Denver on Monday to speak about Joe Biden's economic policies in the state. 

See all of WBRZ's championship coverage here.

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BATON ROUGE - The celebration for the National Champion LSU Women's Basketball team is far from over.

This time, the celebration moved from the PMAC to Alex Box Stadium as basketball star Alexis Morris was invited to throw out the first pitch.

"When I went out there just now I was like, 'okay don't mess up, don't be so nervous,'" Morris said.

The pitch she threw bounced on its way to the plate, but when you win a national championship, that is a strike—and the crowd at the Box went crazy.

"Strike! It was a straight strike," she said. "It has a little bounce to it. That's what they said, strike? It was a strike, baby."

Many fans packed the Box on Tuesday to celebrate the historic win. The players got their own jerseys, including head coach Kim Mulkey.

Fans tell WBRZ they were emotional watching the team cut down the net in Dallas, and hope to see more of it.

However, Alexis Morris says the championship win still hasn't sunk in yet.

"It doesn't feel real, but I'm super excited for the parade [Wednesday]," Morris said. "That is when it's really going to set in and we can actually have some real fun and enjoy Baton Rouge and the fans."

The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and live coverage on WBRZ Plus begins at 5.

See all of WBRZ's championship coverage here.

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BATON ROUGE - Coach Kim Mulkey and several stars of the LSU women's basketball team took over a shift at Raising Cane's and met with fans Wednesday.

Mulkey was joined by Angel Reese, Alexis Morris and Flau'Jae Johnson as temporary crew members at the Raising Cane's on Highland Road, the restaurant's original location just outside the gates of campus. Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves was also there.

Bayou Barbie is taking over the @raisingcanes drive-thru tomorrow! Come by @ 10:30 at 3313 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 to see @Flaujae @AlexisMorrisWBB @KimMulkey and I become Crewmembers for the day????

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 4, 2023

The group greeted fans around 10:30 a.m. and operated the drive-thru and registers for about an hour. The team will participate in a championship parade later in the day, starting around 6:30 p.m.

See all of WBRZ's championship coverage here.

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DALLAS - LSU's title game triumph over Iowa was the most watched women's basketball game on record, bringing in 9.9 million viewers.

ESPN announced the staggering statistics on Monday, saying viewership was up 103 percent compared to last year. 

??.?? ?????????????? ?????????????? ?? Record-breaking #NationalChampionship thriller between @LSUwbkb & @IowaWBB makes TV history:

?? Most-viewed #NCAAWBB game on record
?? Up 103% YOY
?? Peaked at 12.6M
?? Most-viewed college event ever on @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/UZLVNuP3Sf

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) April 3, 2023

The game was also the most-watched college event ever on ESPN+.

See all of WBRZ's championship coverage here.

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BATON ROUGE - LSU's post-championship celebration ended this week with a parade around campus celebrating the first basketball title in program history.

"We just made history, like we're going in the history books. It just means a lot and I'm excited. I know Baton Rouge is lit right now I cant wait to get back, we're gonna have a parade," LSU guard Jasmine Carson said. 

After just two short years, Kim Mulkey was able to accomplish what many before her were unable to do. Now that business has been taken care of, it's time for the party to start in Baton Rouge.

"It's our 50th championship in school history, so that 50th one was important. What a milestone and it's good that the women got theirs," student Christopher Briggs said.

The university announced the parade after the Tigers returned home Monday. The festivities included a trophy celebration and appearances from special guests who made the event possible. 

The parade will began at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, running through campus before concluding at the PMAC with a celebration.

See the full parade map here

"Thank you for being here, I know we're going to have many celebrations to come, I heard of a parade, I don't care, celebrate good times, c'mon!," head coach Kim Mulkey said. 

"Man this is Baton Rouge and if you know Baton Rouge, you know Louisiana. I mean I'm not from here but when I got here everyone loves to party and have a good time so we're all looking forward to it," graduate student Chavez Harper said. 

"We didn't get to experience the football one so it's definitely a once in a lifetime thing," student Kylie Anderson said.

"Totally excited, first-ever parade for a national championship," student Mallory Urban said.

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BATON ROUGE - Making history means making some noise and thousands of Tiger fans made sure they were here for the moment.

"I've been a season ticket holder since before Kim Mulkey was here, so the fact that in two years we are going to win a national championship, I don't even have words for it," fan Sherry Greer said. 

"I can't think of a better environment to bring home a championship with. What makes LSU so special is the people and the fans so to get together in the PMAC and celebrate this team together, I don't know what else to ask for," Clayton Krauss said.

The fans back in Baton Rouge know it's even more special to have that final piece put in place, in the Lone Star State.

"Living in Texas with Baylor, we've known about Kim Mulkey for a long time even though we're Tigers through and through. It has been a ride and it's amazing," Nanette Cosban said.

The crowd inside the PMAC cheered and celebrated the entire game, never letting up until the buzzer sounded and the Tigers were crowned champs.

"This is what LSU basketball is all about, this is what LSU sports is all about, the fans," Carl Dunn said.

You can expect a party in Baton Rouge for days to come as fans celebrate the big win.

"Super excited, Geaux Tigers baby, we lit. We're going to Tigerland baby," Kaytlyn Williams said. 

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DALLAS - Sunday's championship showdown between LSU and Iowa has set a new high water mark for attendance at the Women's Final Four.

During the game, officials announced the official figure of 19,482 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The 2023 tournament had already broken several marks for attendance and viewership. 

The Lady Tigers pulled away to a 102-85 victory to claim their first national title.

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DALLAS - The LSU women's basketball team beat Iowa 102-85 in the National Championship, winning their first title in program history. 

Both teams played in a fast paced and entertaining game. But it's been Jasmine Carson off the bench that's been the difference for LSU. 21 points, and 5 for 5 from deep in the first half.

Watch live coverage here

At first it was the Caitlin Clark show, as she lead Iowa to a 7-3 lead hitting a deep three. Then LSU started forcing turnovers and hitting threes. The Tigers only average five per game, but hit three in the period. Reese would have seven points, three rebounds, and three assists in the quarter.

Angel Reese would have to sit with around a minute left in the first quarter, picking up her second foul. Iowa's Caitlin Clark would have 14 points in the quarter. 

In the second quarter with Reese and Alexis Morris out, that's where Carson took over, making crazy shot after shot. LSU would have 9 threes at the end of the first half. Clark would get her 3rd foul, and have to sit out.

The Tigers lead 59-42 at the break. Iowa then would come out hot in the 3rd, going on a 15-2 run. Caitlin Clark became the NCAA tournament's all-time leading scorer in the period. But Clark would also pick up a tech, and her 4th foul in the period.

LSU led 75-64 at the end of 3. 

Angel Reese got her 34th double-double, breaking an NCAA record as the Tigers locked up their win over Iowa, 102-85.

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BATON ROUGE - At the team hotel, they packed the lobby for a send-off. At the American Airlines Center, they were gathered outside to welcome them. And at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, lines formed early so they could get the best seats for the official watch party.

In Dallas, Baton Rouge and beyond, the Tiger Nation is cheering on the Purple and Gold as the women's basketball team looks to secure its first-ever national championship.

LSU takes on Iowa in the big game, which tips off at 2:30 p.m. on WBRZ. Watch a live feed of the Baton Rouge watch party at the PMAC below.

Iowa enters as a 3-point favorite, following its Friday upset of previously undefeated South Carolina.

WBRZ has learned that win or lose, the Tigers will not return to Baton Rouge on Sunday evening. Travel arrangements are being made for early Monday.

Kim! Kim! Kim! #WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/txtYt9yNw6

— Michael Cauble (@Cauble) April 2, 2023

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BATON ROUGE - The latest hype video from LSU Athletics, released just hours before the Tigers' Final Four appearance, highlights the meteoric rise of the women's basketball team under Head Coach Kim Mulkey.

The video, featuring narration from Louisiana-born rapper Lil Wayne, comes with the caption "a lot can change in two years." In under two minutes, it chronicles the hiring of Mulkey as head coach in 2021 all the way to now, with LSU making its first Final Four appearance in over a decade.

A lot can change in two years.
Now we’re two games away.

?? @LilTunechi pic.twitter.com/YFtgaxyaKk

— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) March 31, 2023

The Tigers' success exploded in 2023, thanks in large part to a sensational season from Angel Reese as well as Mulkey's unique brand of coaching. 

LSU will take on Virginia Tech in Dallas at 6 p.m., with the winner advancing to the national championship. Friday's game will air on ESPN. The championship will air Sunday on WBRZ.

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