Softball: Ragin’ Cajuns Add Malveaux, Bowers To Softball Coaching Staff

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns head softball coach Michael Lotief announced his new coaching staff on Thursday as Lana Bowers and Chris Malveaux, who both previously coached with Lotief, are returning for the 2016 season.
 
Bowers played for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 2007-10 and was part of the coaching staff during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Malveaux, who spent the past four seasons at Bradley, was an assistant on Lotief’s staff from 2009-11. Malveaux was part of the Louisiana coaching staff, along with Michael and Stefni Lotief, which was selected as the NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2010 when Bowers played her senior season.
 
Malveaux has been hired as associate head coach and Bowers will serve as assistant coach.
 
The hiring of both Malveaux and Bowers is subject to approval from the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors. They replace T.J. Hubbard, who took a similar position at Kansas, and Lisa Norris, who is currently playing in the NPF.
 
"The support of our administration, particularly Dr. (Joseph) Savoie, Scott Farmer and Dr. Jessica Leger, our past and present players, my family, our fans and this community has been phenomenal in the overall success of this program," Lotief said. "I firmly believe that bringing back Chris and Lana, who are products of this system, will accomplish our objectives of competing for championships."
 
Bowers’ first tenure with the Ragin’ Cajuns spanned the 2013 and 2014 seasons. She worked with the catchers and assisted with the hitters and infield defense. Her duties also included coordinating and overseeing the pitchers’ bullpen sessions and developing and conducting their functional training. She also prepared opponents scouting reports and called pitches.
 
Bowers was active in campus and sports ministry, playing and coaching with Competitive Edge (2010-12), a Christian based Sports Ministry team that traveled around the world, and serving as a staff member of Chi Alpha Campus Ministry at UL (2011-13).
 
A three-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection as a catcher, Bowers helped lead Louisiana to the 2008 Women’s College World Series.
 
"Lana is winner, as she’s been to the Women’s College World Series as both a player (in 2008) and coach (in 2014)", Lotief said. "She cares deeply for the people around her. She will be a tireless worker and will bring energy, enthusiasm and intensity everyday. She has a ‘whatever needs to be done’ mentality.
 
"She never complains and is the ultimate optimist who is grateful for every opportunity and blessing," Lotief added. "She will invest her time wisely to make our players better athletes and better students, but most of all, better people."
 
Malveaux spent the past four seasons at Bradley, the last two as associate head coach. The Braves set numerous offensive records during his tenure highlighted by school season records for runs (261) home runs (41), RBI (237), total bases (635), slugging percentage (.410) and walks (171) in 2014.
 
Before Bradley, Malveaux was a member of the Ragin’ Cajuns coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2009 and full-time assistant from 2010-11.
 
"Chris is like my brother…I was just in his wedding in December," Lotief remarked. "We have certainly spent a lot time together talking softball, especially during the three years we were on staff together, but our relationship started in the early 2000’s when we both were new to college softball. We’ve been on this journey together ever since.
 
"We have always collaborated and shared ideas. Chris has always been a sounding board for me, has always been willing to think outside the box, and is someone I have always been able to rely on."
 
During his first stint at UL, Malveaux helped Louisiana to three consecutive Sun Belt regular season and tournament titles in addition to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
 
Malveaux spent a seven-year stint at McNeese State that included serving as the Cowgirls’ head coach from 2005-08, before joining Lotief’s staff in 2009. He led the Cowgirls to four straight Southland Conference Tournament appearances during his tenure as head coach, winning the event in 2005.
 
"Chris has a smart softball mind and a caring heart," Lotief said. "He is bringing a lot of perspective and experience to this program. I’m excited to have Lana and Chris back with our program."
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns finished the 2015 campaign with a 42-12 record. Louisiana claimed its second straight Sun Belt Conference regular season championship and 13th in the 15 years of league competition since 2001. The squad appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the 17th straight year and 25th time in the past 26 years dating back to 1990. Louisiana hosted an NCAA Regional at Lamson Park for the third time in the past four years (2012, 2014,2015) and advanced to a NCAA Super Regional for the fourth straight year (2012-15).
 
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