New Iberia native Lon Badeaux, a former All-American at UL and an assistant coach with the Indian program for the last eight years, was named as ASU’s track coach over the weekend. He had served as interim head coach for the last six weeks.

"He came highly regarded and highly respected by our student-athletes and the track and field community in Jonesboro," said ASU athletic director Dean Lee, "and by his peers throughout the country. We’ve been impressed with his leadership and management style during this transition period."

Badeaux holds both UL’s indoor and outdoor records in the pole vault, going 17-.5 outdoors and 17-7 indoors. He finished third in the 1996 NCAA Indoor Championships in earning All-America honors in his senior season prior to earning his bachelor’s degree. He holds a master’s degree from ASU, where he went after graduation from UL to train under Olympian and former ASU pole vault standout Earl Bell.

Badeaux was one of the finalists for UL’s head track and field position before Steve Silvey was named to that post in July. Ironically, Silvey was also a finalist at ASU and was reportedly offered the position before accepting the UL post.

Published July 31, 2007