Slidell’s Chad Livingston has signed a letter of intent to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and play baseball for the Lions.

“It was mostly the coaching staff,” Livingston said. “I got a real liking to the Southeastern program. They’re a really good baseball team. I got a good scholarship offer there and it just sounds really good to be a Lion, so I made the decision to go there and play for coach (Jay) Artigues and his staff. I’m real excited.”

This past season was a bittersweet one for SLU as the Lions went 37-21, but missed getting a regional berth. The 37 wins was the second most in school history.

Pictured is Slidell's Chad Livingston, who signed a letter of intent to attend Southeastern Louisiana University. He is seated in the first row flanked by his parents Teri (left) and Tim Livingston. Second row: Last season's assistant coach Mike Alexander, former SHS baseball coach Sam Abney, athletic director and last year's baseball coach George Herdliska and principal William Percy. (Staff Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

This season Livingston, who started in the end of his freshman year and the three that followed, played third base and pitched for Slidell.

Despite being intentionally walked 18 times, including four times against St. Paul’s in the second meeting, he hit seven home runs, drove in 36, while posting 13 doubles. He also tallied a .643 on base percentage and slugged 1.029.

On the mound, Livingston was also tough, going 5-2 with two saves.

Livingston was a first-team all-district player the last three years. This year, he batted .559 with four homers and 17 RBIs during district. The Tigers went 21-8-1 overall this year and 7-7 in district play, but missed out on the playoffs.

For his four-year varsity career, Livingston hit .433.

Slidell athletic director George Herdliska, who was the Tigers’ baseball coach for the 2009 campaign, said Livingston has been big for the program.

“He’s been very, very valuable to us,” Herdliska said. “He has positive leadership in practice, a good work ethic, and obviously, he’s been a real solid player offensively and defensively.”

Former Slidell coach Sam Abney, who was the head coach for the Tigers during Livingston’s first three years, said this is a big accomplishment for Livingston.

“He’s worked hard for it for four years,” Abney said. “He’s well deserving of it. Southeastern’s going to get them a jewel. He’s going to be a big plus for any program he went to and Southeastern’s got a good one.”

This summer Livingston is playing for the Louisiana Knights travel ball team as a utility player. Livingston has played second, third and caught for the Knights.

Livingston also played defensive back for the Tigers’ football team and earned second-team all-district honors his senior year.

Off the field, Livingston was a leader in Fellowship for Christian Athletes, Key Club and Beta Club.

Chad is the son of Tim and Terri Livingston of Slidell.