Shannon Belt, Reporter for Louisiana Athletics
Allons à Lafayette.
My name is Shannon Mia Belt and I’m the new high school sports and Louisiana football, baseball and softball reporter for The Daily Advertiser.
When I stepped foot in Lafayette, I was hit with a heat I’d never encountered before but brought with me the enthusiasm to match the temperature. As a Compton, California native, heading south was a big step out on faith but taking steps like that is nothing new for me. I left home at 17 to go to the University of Missouri where I earned my degree in Journalism and began my sports reporting journey.
I had never been to the state before and had no ties there but it didn’t stop me. It was there that I learned how to adapt and became a forever learner of the new sports culture around me. I plan to do the same in Lafayette as I learn about the rich sports scene in Cajun Country.
Along the way, I have already consumed an unhealthy amount of beignets and tasted my first crawfish at Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux in Lafayette. I still have a ton of Louisiana delicacies to try and boudin is next on my list.
My love for sports started from a young age with my parents putting me in soccer and basketball as a kid. Initially what sold me on sports were the snacks, but I quickly fell in love with the thrill of competing. Every win was momentous and every loss felt like a mini-heartbreak, but I was along for the ride for all of it.
I played basketball and softball at Rancho Dominguez Preparatory High School in Long Beach, California, where my dad recently took over as the head football coach. I credit him for beginning my knowledge of sports as I grew up watching every major sport alongside him.
From the Olympics to Sunday Night Football, we watched it all. He never hesitated to rewind a play and break it down for me, especially when a team was running an RPO offense — his favorite to coach. When we weren’t watching sports, almost every weekend I’d go play basketball with him at the park where I would poorly attempt to recreate what I saw greats do on TV the night before.
His influence, my time in Missouri and most recently my time with The Stockton Record, helped me become the sports reporter I am today. In Stockton, I learned how important community is for sports and how they help shape the players on the field and court.
Telling stories about the people behind the stats has become my passion and I can’t wait to begin telling those sports stories here in Lafayette. I am eager to learn about the deep-rooted rivals that run through the city, witness the Saturday atmosphere at Cajun Field, and become a part of the Lafayette Parish community.
To any coaches, athletes, parents, administration or Lafayette-area sports fans who have a sports story that needs to be told, please reach out to me.
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network.
Follow her LOUISIANA Athletics coverage on
X @ShannonBelt3
Got questions regarding Louisiana Athletics?
Email sbelt@gannett.com
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