Mike Fontenot, a 1999 Salmen graduate, attended Louisiana State University on a baseball scholarship. In his freshman year, he received the National Freshman of the Year recognition and set a new freshman record with 17 home runs. Additionally, as a starting second baseman, he had 13 doubles, three triples, 64 RBI, 93 runs, and eight steals. In 2000, he was part of the Tiger team that won the 2000 College World Series. In college he received the following awards and honors:
*Summer League First-Team All-American 2B
*Freshman First Team All-America 2B
*NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team
*College World Series All-Tournament Team 2B
*The Sporting News National Freshman of the Year
*Collegiate Baseball National Co-Freshman of the Year
*Baseball America First-Team Freshman All-American
*Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year
His professional career began in 2001 and included being a first round draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles, earning a $1,3000,000.00 signing bonus. In 2005, Fontenot was traded to the Chicago Cubs. In 2007, he became a Cubs� starting second baseman. His professional awards (2003) include the title of Baltimore Orioles Minor League Player of the Year and Eastern League All-Star 2B.