Illustration by Caroline Boudreaux

Q: How often do you eat Cane’s?
A: I once bet my crew at the original location that I could eat a Box everyday for a semester. I won. Now that I’m not in the restaurants as much, I eat Cane’s about three times a month.

Q: Is Cane’s doing anything to “go green?”
A: In November, we opened the first Raising Cane’s that serves 100% compostable products on the campus of Boston University. We are researching the potential of expanding this to other markets. We are also incorporating environmentally friendly building design and construction practices into our development planning.

Q: How many Cane’s dogs have there been?
A: Two – Cane II just celebrated her 10th birthday with her canine friends at the Raising Cane’s dog park.

Q: Who invented the secret Cane’s sauce?
A: If I told you that, I’d have to drown you in Cane’s sauce.

Q: What would your last meal be?
A: Seriously?? A Box Combo NSXT (no slaw, extra toast) and a fresh squeezed lemonade.

Q: What’s your favorite social network? Why?
A: Twitter. I don’t have time for Facebook but I can manage to write 140 characters. Are you following OneLoveFounder?

Josh Harvey, LSU graduate and co-founder of the popular custom T-shirt boutique, Storyville Apparel, gives Legacy the answers. Storyville has locations in New Orleans, Austin, Texas and on 236 W. Chimes Street in Baton Rouge.

Find out more about Storyville at www.wearyourstory.com.

Q: How did you come up with the idea to “wear your story?”
A: My siblings and I grew up wearing tee shirts made by local designers like Mojo Ware in West Monroe. We wanted to create a shop that was dedicated to celebrating local culture and individual spirit.

Q: What was the inspiration behind the ‘Brad Pitt for Mayor’ shirt?
A: A Tulane professor named Thomas Bayer brought the idea to us. He though the “Brad Pitt for Mayor” campaign would be a good way to get some good press for the city of New Orleans, and to raise awareness about the upcoming mayoral election. We agreed.

Q: Did the NFL do anything to pull the “Who Dat?” shirts?
A: We received a “cease and desist” letter from the NFL in early January 2010. We held firm that the NFL – or anyone else for that matter – could own “Who Dat.”

Q: What’s the strangest things you’ve put on a T-shirt?
A: We’ve put lots of animals on shirts. There was an “apple giraffe” one time –half apple, half giraffe (a girapple?). That was odd. We also have a dinosaur sending text messages – a “Tyannosaurus Text.”

Q: What was your favorite shirt you’ve sold?
A: We’ve had a lot of success with “Brad Pitt for Mayor” and “Who Dat Nation,” but one of my all time favorites is “Beign-Yay” (a dancing beignet) because it was one of our earliest hit tees – and it features our original artwork.

Q: What made you decide to expand Storyville?
A: We think the formula of locally-themed apparel and custom tee shirts can work in markets all over the country. And each shop that we open will be a reflection of the community in which it rests.

Q: Where does the Storyville name come from?
A: It comes from the historic red light district in New Orleans, which existed from 1898-1917. It was an early place of experimentation, which included that performance of jazz and racial integration.

Q: What’s the most popular shirt ever sold from Storyville?
A: “Who Dat Nation” recently passed “Brad Pitt for Mayor” as our all-time best selling tee shirt. But we’ve got lots of hot new designs coming out in 2010.

Q: What’s it like working with all of your siblings as the owners and managers?
A: It’s awful. That’s why we have to spread out among so many cities… Just kidding. It’s fun (most of the time). We fight amongst ourselves sometimes, but we mostly get along. We all want to see Storyville succeed.

Q: Who’s the most famous customer you’ve had come to the store?
A: Kevin Spacey, Nicholas Cage, and Adam Yaunch (aka “MCA”) from the Beastie Boys have all shopped in Storyville. MTV Real World filmed there yesterday. We’re still waiting on Brad Pitt to come by.

Q: What did you do before Storyville?
A: I was a lawyer in Manhattan. And before that, I went to LSU. Geaux Tigers!

Q: What MLB team would you like to coach for and why?
A: I have no interest in coaching in the MLB. I love the college game and only want to coach at LSU.

Q: What’s your second favorite sport?
A: Baseball. My favorite sport is football. Playing QB in high school will always be my greatest thrill in sports.

Q: Are the uniform pants you have to wear as uncomfortable as they appear?
A: Do they really look that bad? I wish I had a little more rear end to fill them so they wouldn’t look so bad.

Q: Where do you get your dashing  looks from, your mother or your father?
A: First of all, thanks for the compliment, although I can’t ever remember anyone accusing me of having “dashing looks.” I’m sure I look more like my father.

Q: What song do you sing in the shower?
A: “Take me out to the ballgame.” Had to practice for Wrigley Field seventh inning stretch. Didn’t help!

Q: Which baseball movie do you prefer, “Angels in the Outfield” or “The Sandlot”?
A: “Sandlot.” Watched it every night for five years while my son, Tommy, was a little guy. My favorite character was “The Great Gambino.”

Q: Facebook profiles let students express themselves by posting a status. What would your status read?
A: Paul Mainieri is happily married to a wonderful woman!

Q: Describe yourself in five words or less.
A: Honest, Competitive, Loyal, Passionate, Leader

Q: If you could drink a beer with anyone — dead or alive — who would it be and what would you two talk about?
A: Vince Lombardi, probably the greatest coach of all time. We would talk about how to inspire players to reach their full potential.

Q: What’s your favorite mean at Walk-On’s?
A: Catfish Acadiana

Q: What’s your favorite chicken wing flavor?
A: Not a big fan of them.

Q: What’s your favorite TV show from the ’90s?
A: The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I loved it most when Rodney Dangerfield came on.

Q: If you could challenge one of your players to an arm wrestling match, who would it be?
A: Blake Dean. He just had an arm surgery so he’s the only one I could beat.

Q: Boxers or briefs?
A: Boxers.

Q: Who would win in a fight: Batman or Spriderman?
A: Batman. He’s the man!

Illustration by Sara Fradella

Q: If you were recruited to play football for the university, what position do you think Coach Les Miles would put you at and what position would you like to play?
A: Coach Miles is smart enough to assign me a seat in the stands, but if I could play I’d be free safety – so Chad Jones should be somewhat worried.

Q: Facebook profiles let students express themselves by posting a status. What would your status read?
A: “Michael Martin is a seemingly bottomless reservoir of half-baked notions.” This was offered in a course evaluation in about 1983 – it remains my “status,” even in serving as chancellor.

Q: If you were to teach a 1000-level class at the university, what would the subject be and why should students sign up for this course?
A: I’d love to teach a course in “How a major university works.” After 30 years in higher education I think I’m figuring it out.

Q: On the flip side, which course – currently offered by the university – would you love to take?
A: Likewise, I’d love to take a course on Louisiana history, culture, and politics. Clearly, this is a unique place and I’d like to understand it better.

Q: Describe yourself in five words or less.
A: Dad, curious, aging, enthusiastic

Q: If you could drink a beer with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be and what would you two talk about?
A: There are many, but one for sure is the author James Joyce. Topic: What is Ulysses really about? I got a C- on a paper about it as an undergrad and still don’t know why.

Q: Has anyone ever told you that your glasses are similar to Harry Potter’s, and if you could use magic to do something, what would it be?
A: I’d choose to play second base for the Minnesota Twins in atleast two, three game series.

Q: You’re making around $125,000 more here than you were at New Mexico State. If you could donate that money to a charity of your choice, which would it be and why?
A: Of the many great causes, I am a particular fan of the March of Dimes because many years ago this charity helped my family enormously.

Q: How did you and your wife, Jan, meet?
A: We met on a blind date. She thought she was going with a friend of mine, but got stuck with me. That was 40 years ago – perhaps she’s still a bit disappointed.

Q: You’ve done a lot of work in the field of agriculture. if you were to participate in the rodeo the AgCenter puts on every year, which event would you enter: calf roping, steer wrestling, or bull riding? Why?
A: Actually I’d prefer to be the rodeo clown – the most entertaining character but if I did a real event I’d choose bull riding since the failure and embarrassment would be very short – though the pain would last a while.

Click here to watch the interview with Chancellor Michael Martin

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Illustration by Sara Fradella