Athletics: 2023 Year In Review
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As we begin 2024, I want to express my genuine gratitude for your support of Ragin' Cajuns Athletics and reflect on the numerous accomplishments this past year.
In the classroom, our student-athletes continued to excel. Ten of our 16 sport programs achieved a team GPA of 3.0-or-higher during the spring term (men's tennis, women's tennis, soccer, women's cross country, men's cross country, softball, baseball, women's track and field, men's track and field, golf) while nine did so this past fall (men's tennis, women's cross country, golf, soccer, softball, women's tennis, women's track and field, baseball, men's cross country). Seventy-six (76) Louisiana student-athletes earned their degrees during the 2023 calendar year.
For the third consecutive year, Louisiana won the Sun Belt Conference Community Service Initiative and finished 16th in the nation in Community Service Hours performed at the Division I level. Additionally, for the first time in program history, UL Athletics won the Sun Belt Conference Community Impact Award, which recognizes the impact student-athletes have in their local and global communities.
Competitively, the Ragin' Cajuns experienced another successful year.
<UL><li>Men's basketball, golf, and softball (2) won Sun Belt Conference Championships.
<li> and softball won the NCAA Regional Championship in Baton Rouge, advancing to a Super Regional (Seattle, WA) for the first time since 2016.
<li>UL softball extended its nation-leading streak of 81 consecutive Sun Belt Conference series wins, dating back to March 2013, while compiling 50 wins against the nation's seventh toughest schedule.
<li>Baseball achieved its first 40-win season since 2016 and earned an at-large NCAA Regional bid (Coral Gables, FL) for the first time since 2013.
<li>Men's tennis finished ranked in the ITA Collegiate Tennis Top 75 for the second straight season
<li>Track & field achieved two national Top 25 finishes in women's javelin (13th) and the men's 4x100 relay (22nd).</ul><p align=justify>
The winter and spring 2023 competitive successes resulted in four UL head coaches receiving Coach of the Year honors. Bob Marlin (LABC and LSWA), Theo Sliman (LSWA), Gerry Glasco (LSWA), and Lon Badeaux (LSWA Cross Country) each achieved COY awards for their respective team accomplishments. Notable student-athlete awards included Jordan Brown becoming the first Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball player to earn the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, Mihyia Davis becoming the first UL softball player to win the NFCA's Golden Shoe Award, given to the nation's leader in stolen bases, and senior softball student-athlete Karly Heath being named the Sun Belt Conference Female Athlete of the Year.
Fall 2023 saw our football team earn a school-record sixth consecutive bowl game appearance (New Orleans) while volleyball achieved the most wins (19) since 2017 and earned its first ranked win in 10 years and first Top 20 win this century (Rice University). For the second consecutive season, volleyball broke the single-season attendance record with a mark of 7,219.
In an effort to navigate the ongoing landscape changes of college athletics, Krewe Allons, the NIL Collective for Louisiana Athletics, was introduced to the public on October 11. With a mission of raising funds and helping create Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities, Krewe Allons strives to connect our student-athletes with the community.
On November 16, we officially announced the renovation plans for Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. This was a monumental day for both Louisiana Athletics and the University as this project will be transformational for our fans, football program, and community. Demolition began on December 11, as numerous members of the community gathered to pay a final tribute to Cajun Field. The project completion date is estimated to be summer 2025.
Lastly, after a strong, long-standing partnership with the Cajundome, Louisiana Athletics announced a new ticketing structure on December 6. Partnering with industry leader Paciolan, the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office will be housed within the Department of Athletics. We will strive to provide an enhanced ticketing experience for everyone who attends our future events and look to be fully transitioned to the new platform by early February.
I truly believe our best days are ahead! As we continue to invest in our facilities, our services, and our student-athletes, rest assure, Louisiana Athletics will approach 2024 with an attitude and mindset of improving each and every day. On behalf of our coaches, staff, and student-athletes, THANK YOU for all you do for the Ragin' Cajuns and our amazing Carnegie R1 University…Geaux Cajuns!
Bryan Maggard, Ph.D.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
