The Glenn Cyprien File ...

[CajunChicken]

Red Bug
I know Coach Broussard quite well. I think because of his love of UL and the game of basketball, he would consider it.

[1stTake]

I was exposed to this scoop here first so I wanted to say thanks to BirdofParadise. I blasted BirdofParadise by email in the past for Todd so I should thank you when it is deserved.

[RaginRash]

F lsu

[NewsCopy]

Programs buoyed by funding, fan support

LOUISIANA La. -- Louisiana-Lafayette athletic director Nelson Schexnayder is finding plenty of reasons to smile these days -- and not just because his decision to hire Oklahoma State assistant Glynn Cyprien as the school's new men's basketball coach has been well received.

It's a time of optimism at the school, a combination of on-the-field success and an ongoing upgrade of facilities.

Even the NFL success of ex-Ragin' Cajuns quarterback Jake Delhomme has contributed to everyone getting the warm fuzzies.

"This is the most positive atmosphere I've experienced in 20 years," said Schexnayder, a former ULL wide receiver who is in his 12th year as athletic director. "There are a lot of good things happening here -- the quality of play, the quality of our coaches and the improvement of our facilities."

Things are going well on the playing fields:

The baseball team is in contention for the Sun Belt Conference championship.

The softball team, ranked 10th nationally, has a good shot at a second consecutive Women's College World Series appearance.

The men's tennis team finished second in the Sun Belt and is ranked No. 56 nationally.

The men's basketball team won the Sun Belt title and had its third consecutive 20-victory season.

The women's basketball team won 13 games, only the second double-digit victory season in the last 14 years, and had the Sun Belt Player of the Year in Anna Petrakova.

After an 0-7 start, the football team won four of its last five games last season.

The last element particularly is important.

The Ragin' Cajuns haven't had a winning football season since 1995, and support had dipped accordingly.

ULL's average attendance was 13,994 for six home games last season, and that was with 24,211 on hand for the home opener against Louisiana Tech.

"The way we finished last year finally gave us something to cheer for," Ragin' Cajuns longtime fan Steve Gossen said. "We're thinking bowl game this year."

With 12 starters returning, that might be difficult. But, with an easier non-conference schedule (Northwestern State, Louisiana Tech, Kansas State and Florida International compared to South Carolina, Houston, Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Louisiana Tech in 2003), a winning season appears attainable.

The rest of the story

Times Picayune
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
By Ted Lewis
tlewis@timespicayune.com

[RaginFan2]

I was shocked, but happy, when I saw this article on the front page of the T-P Sports section this morning. Wow! Something positive about UL that wasn't buried in 2 paragraphs on p. 7. Hopefully, the Ragin' Cajuns can give 'em plenty of additional material for positive stories in the future.

Geaux Ragin' Cajuns !!!!

[UL Ragin Cajun]

Email Mr. Lewis and let him know how much you appreciate his positive stroy on UL, I did.

Ted Lewis
tlewis@timespicayune.com

[NewsCopy]

Glynn Cyprien's staff hit ground running and add two junior college players to fold

LOUISIANA La. — Louisiana’s men’s basketball team announced the signing of two junior college power forwards to letters of intent for the 2004-2005 season.

The Cajuns inked Spencer Ford of Dixie State College and Berry Jordan of Kilgore Junior College.

The signings are the first two under new head coach Glynn Cyprien, who was appointed head coach of the Cajuns on May 5.

Ford, a native of Baton Rouge, averaged 13.0 points and 8.6 boards per game at the Utah junior college. He originally signed with UL Lafayette out of high school, but opted to attend Dixie State.

The 6-foot-7 forward was a first team All-State selection as a senior at Scotlandville High School. He was also the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) All-State Most Valuable Player.

Ford chose UL Lafayette over Charlotte, South Alabama, and Indiana.

Jordan, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., averaged 8.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this past season en route to Region XIV second team All-Conference honors. Jordan finished third in the conference in rebounds.

For his career, the 6-8 forward averaged 12.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the Rangers.

Jordan played on the same AAU team as current Ragin’ Cajuns guard Orien Greene.

He originally signed with Arkansas out of high school before playing for Kilgore. He chose UL Lafayette over Southern Miss and Southern Methodist.

Original link broken

[bigearl]

Sounds like some good news. Any update on what's going to happen to O. Greeene and C. Williams?

[DaddyCajun]

As soon as someone knows on Southall, Greene, and Williams please post on them, thanks!!!!!

[Turbine]

Glynn Cyprien's staff hit ground running and add two junior college players to fold . . . Jordan played on the same AAU team as current Ragin’ Cajuns guard Orien Greene.

He originally signed with Arkansas out of high school before playing for Kilgore. He chose UL Lafayette over Southern Miss and Southern Methodist.

Berry Jordan didn't just sign with Arkansas he was on the team and played for them. LINK

Arkansas Razorbacks vs LSU Tigers (1/13/02 at PMAC, Baton Rouge, LA)

## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
22 Berry Jordan........ f 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 14

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — It’s a good thing Glynn Cyprien is buckled up because life is moving swiftly right now.

Louisiana's new men’s basketball coach is conducting his transition, a process that includes staff decisions, summer school plans for players and decisions on which players to retain.

He’s also been involved in league meetings with the Sun Belt Conference.

On top of all that, he and his wife Monique are looking for a house.

Other than that, he can take it easy.

“We’ve had some curves,” Cyprien said of the transition process.

The latest curve came last week in Wisconsin, where center Michael Southall was sentenced to a year in jail for violation of parole on a 2000 drug conviction.

Southall was academically ineligible for the 2003-2004 season under former coach Jessie Evans.

“We’re going to be supportive of Mike,” Cyprien said. “He and his family are going through a tough time right now, a tough period. But he’s a strong kid and we’re going to be supportive of him.”

A decision on Southall is one of the many issues Cyprien will be addressing.

Also, point guard Orien Greene and forward-center Cedric Williams were placed on probation once the 2003-2004 season was completed for failing to meet academic requirements and violations of team rules.

Their status bears watching.

“The most important thing, I felt, was the players,” Cyprien said. “I’ve set a June 6 deadline for them to report back for summer school. We’ll have four returning scholarship players attending summer school, and two newcomers, so that would be six.

“That’s our No. 1 priority, and how many of the players we’re going to retain. We’ll be making an announcement about that soon.

The rest of the Story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[Jason]

This is unofficial, but for those who would like to know. UL may have the final piece of the puzzle in place for the final assistant basketball coach. Ex-Tulane player and current Rice Basketball commentator Carlin Hartman has been offered the job.

Staff:
Glen Cyprien
Robert Lee
Bill Pope
Carlin Hartman