Photo: Jonathan Mailhes/CSM/ShutterstockThe LSU Tigers celebrated their March Madness championship with a parade in Louisiana on Wednesday, and for head coachKim Mulkey, the ceremony was quite emotional.Mulkey, 60, spoke to the audience at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center during the ceremony, where Baton Rouge mayor Sharon Weston Broome presented the coach with a key to the city, according toESPN.The Tigers coach, who grew up in Hammond, Louisiana, said, “This is my home,” when addressing the LSU fans and friends. “I’m trying not to cry,” Mulkey admitted during her speech.Before the ceremony, thousands of fans lined the university streets to catch a glimpse of the NCAA Tournament champions, including Tigers starAngel Reese.Reese, 20, took in the celebratory moment from the back of a convertible, where she waved to fans and handed out Tigers shirts.Jonathan Mailhes/CSM/ShutterstockThe LSU star, who was criticized for her taunts towards Iowa’s Caitlin Clark on Sunday, got cheers from the crowd when she didthe John Cena-inspired tauntagain during the parade.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.ESPN reported that Mulkey said she made it a personal goal to win a championship for LSU when she took the job after winning three championships for Baylor University.However, the coach said she never put a timetable on it and purposely omitted it from the team’s goal list heading into the season.Mulkey’s list of goals for the Tigers heading into the preseason was to “win 90% of non-conference games, finish in the top four of the SEC, win one game in the SEC tournament and remain ranked in the AP Top 25 throughout the season,” according toESPN.Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via GettyLouisiana governor John Bel Edwards spoke highly of Mulkey during Wednesday’s ceremony. “We all knew she could do it, but what she has done to elevate this program and all of women’s sports is truly remarkable,” he said, per ESPN.Addressing LSU’s players, Edwards said that Louisiana “always had faith” the team could bring a title to the school, ESPN reported.“But more importantly, you had faith in yourself and were smart enough not to listen to all the experts who said you didn’t have a chance,” the governor continued.Jonathan Mailhes/CSM/ShutterstockLSU guard Alexis Morris also addressed the crowd of Tigers supporters during the ceremony, and thanked the school and its community on Wednesday.“I appreciate your love, your unwavering support and for believing in us,” Morris, 23, said. “I just want you all to know I love you with all my heart.”

Photo: Jonathan Mailhes/CSM/Shutterstock

LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey interacts with fans during LSU’s Women’s Basketball National Championship Celebration at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA NCAA Women’s Basketball LSU Women’s Basketball National Championship Celebration, Baton Rouge, USA - 05 Apr 2023

The LSU Tigers celebrated their March Madness championship with a parade in Louisiana on Wednesday, and for head coachKim Mulkey, the ceremony was quite emotional.Mulkey, 60, spoke to the audience at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center during the ceremony, where Baton Rouge mayor Sharon Weston Broome presented the coach with a key to the city, according toESPN.The Tigers coach, who grew up in Hammond, Louisiana, said, “This is my home,” when addressing the LSU fans and friends. “I’m trying not to cry,” Mulkey admitted during her speech.Before the ceremony, thousands of fans lined the university streets to catch a glimpse of the NCAA Tournament champions, including Tigers starAngel Reese.Reese, 20, took in the celebratory moment from the back of a convertible, where she waved to fans and handed out Tigers shirts.Jonathan Mailhes/CSM/ShutterstockThe LSU star, who was criticized for her taunts towards Iowa’s Caitlin Clark on Sunday, got cheers from the crowd when she didthe John Cena-inspired tauntagain during the parade.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.ESPN reported that Mulkey said she made it a personal goal to win a championship for LSU when she took the job after winning three championships for Baylor University.However, the coach said she never put a timetable on it and purposely omitted it from the team’s goal list heading into the season.Mulkey’s list of goals for the Tigers heading into the preseason was to “win 90% of non-conference games, finish in the top four of the SEC, win one game in the SEC tournament and remain ranked in the AP Top 25 throughout the season,” according toESPN.Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via GettyLouisiana governor John Bel Edwards spoke highly of Mulkey during Wednesday’s ceremony. “We all knew she could do it, but what she has done to elevate this program and all of women’s sports is truly remarkable,” he said, per ESPN.Addressing LSU’s players, Edwards said that Louisiana “always had faith” the team could bring a title to the school, ESPN reported.“But more importantly, you had faith in yourself and were smart enough not to listen to all the experts who said you didn’t have a chance,” the governor continued.Jonathan Mailhes/CSM/ShutterstockLSU guard Alexis Morris also addressed the crowd of Tigers supporters during the ceremony, and thanked the school and its community on Wednesday.“I appreciate your love, your unwavering support and for believing in us,” Morris, 23, said. “I just want you all to know I love you with all my heart.”

The LSU Tigers celebrated their March Madness championship with a parade in Louisiana on Wednesday, and for head coachKim Mulkey, the ceremony was quite emotional.

Mulkey, 60, spoke to the audience at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center during the ceremony, where Baton Rouge mayor Sharon Weston Broome presented the coach with a key to the city, according toESPN.

The Tigers coach, who grew up in Hammond, Louisiana, said, “This is my home,” when addressing the LSU fans and friends. “I’m trying not to cry,” Mulkey admitted during her speech.

Before the ceremony, thousands of fans lined the university streets to catch a glimpse of the NCAA Tournament champions, including Tigers starAngel Reese.

Reese, 20, took in the celebratory moment from the back of a convertible, where she waved to fans and handed out Tigers shirts.

Jonathan Mailhes/CSM/Shutterstock

LSU’s Angel Reese signals a heart to the fans during LSU’s Women’s Basketball National Championship Celebration at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA NCAA Women’s Basketball LSU Women’s Basketball National Championship Celebration, Baton Rouge, USA - 05 Apr 2023

The LSU star, who was criticized for her taunts towards Iowa’s Caitlin Clark on Sunday, got cheers from the crowd when she didthe John Cena-inspired tauntagain during the parade.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

ESPN reported that Mulkey said she made it a personal goal to win a championship for LSU when she took the job after winning three championships for Baylor University.

However, the coach said she never put a timetable on it and purposely omitted it from the team’s goal list heading into the season.

Mulkey’s list of goals for the Tigers heading into the preseason was to “win 90% of non-conference games, finish in the top four of the SEC, win one game in the SEC tournament and remain ranked in the AP Top 25 throughout the season,” according toESPN.

Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via Getty

College Basketball: NCAA Finals: LSU head coach Kim Mulkey and her team victorious with trophy after winning national championship game vs Iowa at American Airlines Arena Dallas, TX 4/2/2023

Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards spoke highly of Mulkey during Wednesday’s ceremony. “We all knew she could do it, but what she has done to elevate this program and all of women’s sports is truly remarkable,” he said, per ESPN.

Addressing LSU’s players, Edwards said that Louisiana “always had faith” the team could bring a title to the school, ESPN reported.

“But more importantly, you had faith in yourself and were smart enough not to listen to all the experts who said you didn’t have a chance,” the governor continued.

NCAA Women’s Basketball LSU Women’s Basketball National Championship Celebration, Baton Rouge, USA - 05 Apr 2023

LSU guard Alexis Morris also addressed the crowd of Tigers supporters during the ceremony, and thanked the school and its community on Wednesday.

“I appreciate your love, your unwavering support and for believing in us,” Morris, 23, said. “I just want you all to know I love you with all my heart.”

source: people.com