Baseball: Former Cajuns honored during Alumni Weekend

Baseball: Former Cajuns honored during Alumni Weekend

Former Cajuns honored during Alumni Weekend
Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

Winning the Sun Belt Conference baseball title Saturday provided another high point in a weekend that was already special to the UL baseball program.

Approximately 80 former Ragin’ Cajun players were at Moore Field Saturday and were honored pregame as part of Alumni Weekend festivities. For some, it was a rare trip back to their alma mater.

"Remembering what this place was, and to look at it right now, it’s awesome," said former Cajun Craig Fryman (1980-81). "It’s been 26 years, but this is equivalent to the top minor-league atmospheres. It’s somewhere to bring the family and the kids."

Fryman came in this weekend from his Bellbrook, Ohio, hometown to see former teammates. He’d made a previous trip in the fall of 2000 as part of UL’s College World Series celebration.

"Tony (Robichaux) talked before the game about what the former players have done to get the program to this point," he said. "It’s nice to be remembered a little and to know you were a part of it."

"They treat you right. They treat people right," said former Cajun Lenny Frazier, a teammate of Fryman’s in 1980-81 and now living in Chalmette. "They’ve got it to the point here that it’s unbelievable. It’s like night and day from when we were here. It’s a great atmosphere."

Fryman and Frazier were not the only ones impressed with the improvements to the "Tigue" and the surrounding facilities.

"That infield’s really nice," said former UL shortstop Joey Boni (1977-81), now living back in Lafayette. "It’s a good looking field. We’ve come a long way from the old bleachers. All the work they’ve put in, now it looks really big. Once they get that indoor facility done, that’s going to help them a lot."

"It’s really unbelievable to see what’s been done here," said ex-first baseman David Alvis (1982-85), a teammate of Robichaux’s for one year and now living in Jasper, Texas. "It’s a great atmosphere with the fan support. You can see some of the history, and see some of the future."

Many of the former players went on the field to their former positions during pregame activities, and were there with Saturday’s starting lineup for the National Anthem. The group also took part in a social Saturday night.

SENIOR DAY: The eight seniors on the Cajun squad will be honored prior to today’s 1 p.m. home finale against Arkansas-Little Rock. That group includes outfielder Jefferies Tatford, infielders Devon Bourque, Matt Casbon, Devery Van De Keere and Tim Santiago, and pitchers Andrew Laughter, Matt Pilgreen and Kyle Mickles.

Since UL’s regular graduation ceremonies are still one week away, the Cajuns will not hold their own mini-graduation exercises on the field as they have done in several previous seasons.

HONORS: Former UL pitcher Phil Devey was honored prior to Saturday’s game with his medallion signifying his selection to the Sun Belt’s 30th anniversary All-Time Team.

UL had five players named to that team last year including pitcher B. J. Ryan (1997-98), catcher Paul Bako (1991-93), third baseman Nathan Nelson (1998-2000) and outfielder Papo Ramos (1991-92). Devey (1997-99) was the only one on hand for the weekend’s alumni festivities.

Robichaux was also presented an award symbolic of his 700th career victory prior to the game. Robichaux, in his 13th season at UL and his 20th season as a collegiate head coach, reached the 700-win mark against Florida Atlantic back on March 24. He currently holds a career 718-447 mark and a 474-297 mark at UL.

Athletic Network Footnote: To view pictures of Baseball Alumni Weekend and all of the on-the-field and off-the-field activity, click on the RaginCajuns.com logo on the right of the Athletic Network News Box, then Baseball in the Teams Drop-Down menu in the upper left, then photos, then the 05/12 and 05/11 links. Over 200 images are included in the two links and more to be added for Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.