LAFAYETTE – Acadiana Business (ABiz) is set to honor the lasting legacy of recently retired University of Louisiana Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator Sherry LeBas at its annual inspiring awards and luncheon in September.
 
ABiz announced earlier this week that LeBas is a 2012 Trailblazer honoree, distinguishing her as one of 10 inspiring women from the Lafayette community being recognized at the luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at River Oaks on Kaliste Saloom Road.
 
An Opelousas, La., native, LeBas retired from UL on June 30 after 39 years of loyal, dedicated and distinguished service to the University – all but two years spent as an administrator in the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Department.
 
LeBas, a 1971 graduate of UL, began her tenure at the University in 1973 as an instructor in the Health and Physical Education department. She was hired as the coordinator of women’s athletics in 1975, becoming the first-ever full time female athletics administrator for the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Department.
 
In charge of Ragin’ Cajuns women’s athletics since their inception, she witnessed tremendous growth from three sports to eight. Until her recent retirement, LeBas was the only senior woman administrator the athletic department has had since the role was mandated by the NCAA.
 
This is the 15^th year that ABiz honors influential women of the Lafayette area. Each fall ABiz profiles up to 10 inspiring women from across the community — business, politics, education, non-profits — who are still active in their careers and recognized for their professionalism, entrepreneurship, civic involvement and community leadership.
 
LeBas and the other women will be featured in the September issue of ABiz which will be available beginning Aug. 30. The annual issue is dedicated to the role women play in shaping community success.
 
Tickets for the event are $35 for an individual or $320 for a table of eight. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Robin Hebert at (337) 769-8603 or robinh@theind.com.
 
For more information on the landmark career of Sherry LeBas, click here to view the press release announcing her retirement.
 
2012 Acadiana Business Inspiring Awards honorees:
Rhonda Babin, regional manager, Airgas
Stephanie Mitchell Bernard, director, Diocese of Lafayette’s Office of Black Catholics Ministries
Sandra Billeaudeau, assistant superintendent, Lafayette Parish Schools
Carolyn Doerle, managing director/CEO, Doerle Food Services
Rebekah Huggins, attorney, Glenn Armentor Law Corp.
Mandi Mitchell, lobbyist, Mandi D. Mitchell LLC
Susan Theall, 15th Judicial District judge
Lorrie Toups, CFO, Lafayette Consolidated Government
 
2012 Trailblazer honorees:
Maugie Pastor, T’Frere’s Bed and Breakfast
Sherry Lebas, UL retired associate athletics director/senior woman administrator