College Sports

The new stadium name is unveiled on the press box inside Navarre Stadium, the home of the McNeese Cowboys. (Photo courtesy of McNeese Athletics)

The new stadium name is unveiled on the press box inside Navarre Stadium, the home of the McNeese Cowboys. (Photo courtesy of McNeese Athletics)

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McNeese unveils new stadium name in association with naming rights deal

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III LSN Sports Reporter LAKE CHARLES – McNeese’s football stadium will have a new name. The Cowboys’ football stadium known by fans as “The Hole” will now be referred to as Navarre Stadium.
Sam Veillon, formerly of Sacred Heart, is pictured as he signs to play baseball at Louisiana Christian University during a ceremony held Wednesday, July 2. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Sam Veillon, formerly of Sacred Heart, is pictured as he signs to play baseball at Louisiana Christian University during a ceremony held Wednesday, July 2. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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From a Trojan to a Wildcat

News Staff
Monday, July 7, 2025
By: TONY MARKS Editor Sam Veillon is taking his baseball talents to the next level. The Sacred Heart pitcher signed to play with Louisiana Christian University during a signing ceremony held Wednesday, July 2.
Artist Christopher Brown (left) presents artwork to Robert Soileau (right). The artwork commemorates Robert’s father George “Bobby” Soileau’s induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Artist Christopher Brown (left) presents artwork to Robert Soileau (right). The artwork commemorates Robert’s father George “Bobby” Soileau’s induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Carrying the flag

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
By: TONY MARKS Editor NATCHITOCHES — It may not be as good as when a priest, a pastor, and a rabbi walked into a bar, but did you hear the one about a gymnast, a boxer, a coach, a director, and a lineman going into the hall of fame?
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Local Headline

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Marks earns three LSWA writing awards

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
NATCHITOCHES — Tony Marks, editor of the Ville Platte Gazette and sports editor of The Oakdale Journal, earned three awards in the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Annual Contest. The awards were presented on Sunday, June 29, in Natchitoches.
APRIL BURKHOLDER — Competed at LSU from 2003-06, graduating as the school’s most decorated gymnast and still ranking nearly two decades later among the elite in the program’s rich history. A 14-time All-American, she won 108 individual titles to set a school record, including the 2006 NCAA beam title with a score of 9.9125. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame)

APRIL BURKHOLDER — Competed at LSU from 2003-06, graduating as the school’s most decorated gymnast and still ranking nearly two decades later among the elite in the program’s rich history. A 14-time All-American, she won 108 individual titles to set a school record, including the 2006 NCAA beam title with a score of 9.9125. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame)

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Burkholder’s dynamic days at LSU magnified support for powerhouse gymnastics program

News Staff
Monday, June 30, 2025
By: HARRISON VALENTINE Written for the LSWA Before there was Haleigh Bryant, Sarah Finnegan or Ashleigh Gnat, there was a 14-time All-American at LSU. An NCAA beam champion, and an SEC Gymnast of the Year, who was setting the foundation and helping vault LSU gymnastics into a perennial power.
LPB CELEBRATES LOUISIANA SPORTS ICONS

LPB CELEBRATES LOUISIANA SPORTS ICONS

LPB CELEBRATES LOUISIANA SPORTS ICONS

News Staff
Monday, June 23, 2025
Louisiana sports fans are set to enjoy front row seats at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 induction ceremony as Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) brings this year’s event LIVE from Natchitoches.
GEORGE “BOBBY” SOILEAU -- After making a name for himself as one of the most dominant boxers, which included claiming multiple high school championships and an individual NCAA title for LSU’s nationally-renowned program, the Ville Platte native became a championship-winning football coach at his alma mater -- Sacred Heart High School. (Photo courtesy of LSWA)

GEORGE “BOBBY” SOILEAU -- After making a name for himself as one of the most dominant boxers, which included claiming multiple high school championships and an individual NCAA title for LSU’s nationally-renowned program, the Ville Platte native became a championship-winning football coach at his alma mater -- Sacred Heart High School. (Photo courtesy of LSWA)

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Soileau packed a punch as a boxing champ, provided priceless life lessons as a coach

News Staff
Monday, June 23, 2025
By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III Written for the LSWA George "Bobby" Soileau taught his son how to throw a punch.
DANNY GRANGER -- A New Orleans native and Grace King High School product, Granger carved out an impressive 10-year career in the NBA, including an All-Star Game appearance, after playing collegiately at Bradley and New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of LSWA)

DANNY GRANGER -- A New Orleans native and Grace King High School product, Granger carved out an impressive 10-year career in the NBA, including an All-Star Game appearance, after playing collegiately at Bradley and New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of LSWA)

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Granger sparkled at every level by doing things the right way in every aspect

News Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2025
By: BILL BUMGARNER Written for the LSWA Enshrinement in an athletic Hall of Fame most times requires a high level of success over a lengthy period of time.
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