Riding as Grand Marshal in the Ascension Christmas Parade this year will be a member of the LSU 2009 National Championship Baseball team and 2005 East Ascension High School graduate, Buzzy Haydel.

The 22-year-old Haydel is a native of Gonzales. He played four years of high school baseball and was a member of the 2003 5A State Championship Baseball team.  He was also named East Ascension High School’s Student of the Year in 2004-05.

Haydel is an LSU kinesiology major and was named a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2008.

He is known as a talented performer who can play any infield position.

One of the highlights of his LSU baseball career was hitting the last home run out of the old Alex Box Stadium.

“We are so proud to have Buzzy serve as our Christmas Parade Grand Marshall”  said Sherrie Despino, President/CEO of the Ascension Chamber. “It is always great to honor a local, home town Ascension Parish resident.”

Haydel also served as host of “The Buzz from Omaha,” a series of video features on the Tigers’ 2008 trip to the College World Series that appeared on www.LSUsports.net.

He recently joined the LSU Athletic Department as an undergraduate assistant coach for the baseball team.

Haydel’s parents are Marty and Pam Haydel and he has one older brother, Dustin and four sisters, Amber, Katie, Brigette and Mindee.

Join the Ascension Chamber of Commerce, the City of Gonzales and over 30,000 spectators on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. to honor Haydel for his success. 

For more information on the Ascension Christmas Parade on Dec. 13, contact the Ascension Chamber of Commerce at 225-647-7487 or e-mail info@ascensionchamber.com.