Although her final collegiate gymnastics season at LSU was cut short due to a knee injury, Olivia Dunne has now stepped into her next chapter as an alumna.
Over the weekend, Dunne attended her very first LSU alumni event in New York City, joining a gathering of Tigers faithful outside the well-known Legends bar in Midtown Manhattan.
Decked out in purple and gold and proudly sporting an LSU Tigers jersey, the 21-year-old gymnast added a blast of Bayou energy to the Big Apple.
Dunne documented her experience across social media, sharing photos that captured the electric atmosphere and her own enthusiasm for reconnecting with the LSU community. In one photo, she posed beaming while serving steaming hot trays of crawfish-proving that even in Manhattan, a proper crawfish boil can draw a crowd.
She captioned one post with: “First LSU alumni event,” and followed it up with another declaring, “LSU NYC.”
Celebrating Southern roots in the heart of NYC
The event outside Legends bar was packed with LSU alumni and fans, many dressed in spirited LSU gear and ready to enjoy the flavors of home.
What stood out, though, was Dunne‘s commitment to being more than just a face in the crowd-she actively helped out with the boil, serving food and chatting with fellow Tigers, embodying the community spirit she’s known for back on campus.
While her presence might have stolen the spotlight, the day was a broader celebration of Southern culture, resilience, and LSU pride-one that resonated with fans and alums alike, especially those living far from home.
The former All-American gymnast’s college career may not have ended with another national title-the Tigers were unable to defend their NCAA crown after Dunne‘s injury-but LSU did manage to repeat as SEC champions, marking another impressive feat in the program’s storied run.
Dunne‘s injury midway through the season sidelined her from competition, but she remained involved with her teammates, offering support from the sidelines. And judging by her continued engagement in alumni events, she’s not stepping away from LSU anytime soon.
Beyond the gym, Dunne has become one of the most influential figures in collegiate sports, thanks in large part to her massive social media presence and NIL success.
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