In December, 2007 Tom Nolan received the area Cross Country Coach of the Year Award.  In his December 31, 2007 story about Nolan’s recognition, Grant Alexander pointed out that other coaches passed on possibly receiving the award themselves in order to honor the "one man who sculpted the sport into what it is today." Kelly Brown-LaMaison, Ron Baillergeon, and Tim LeMaire are quoted in the story as they relate Tom’s love of cross country and what he did for the sport.

Their words, however, pale when compared to what Tom wrote near the end of his life. "Towards the end of his illness, Nolan wrote one last message to his friends and colleagues. I’ve run the good race. I’ve given my all. I tried to be a good son, a good husband, a good teacher, friend and coach. I tried hard to follow Jesus through the gates. I hope I did all HE wanted me to do.Thanks for everything everyone is doing and has done for me. Love and peace to all. Keep the Spartan XC program going." Click here to view Tom Nolan’s profile on the Athletic Network http://athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=55&profID=4355

In 1970, USL’s Cross Country team won the Southland Conference crown. Click here for the write up of that victory  http://athleticnetwork.net/picpopup.php?piclibID=5695

The 1970 Southland Conference Cross Country Champions are pictured below

Please click here to view the 1971 Track Team http://athleticnetwork.net/site1216.php

Standing L-R: Sherman Stanford, Bill Beaty, Tom Nolan, Mike Alexander, Randy Melancon, and Coach Bob Cole. Kneeling: Authur Botterill, Claude Revels, and Patin Breaux.

Southland Conference Cross Country Meet Champion Tom Nolan (Time: 30:26 is congratulated by Coach Bob Cole after claiming his title at the SLC Meet in Ruston, La. during November, 1973. Tom became the first USL runner to ever win first in the SLC Meet.

Please click here for the 1973 Track pictures, including the above picture and one of the entire cross country team.
http://athleticnetwork.net/site1523.php

In 2007,  Tom won the Lafayette Education Foundation Teacher Inspirational Award, His principal, Joe Craig, has high praise for Tom. "He loves the kids, he loves Comeaux High, he loves education. They couldn’t have made a better choice. "He’ll work with the naturally gifted, kids who get it if they work at it and with the kids who just want to be involved."
For Nolan, it’s a labor of love.
"I enjoy what I do. That’s my motivation," he said. "I thank God every day I have the opportunity to teach and to coach."

In Craig’s opinion, the award has found its proper home.

"I know LEF has a difficult choice each year, but they made the right call."

 
Tom Nolan, Courtesy of Kevin Foote, Daily Advertiser 

Click here and scroll to second row for three pictures of Tom in the Athletic Network Miscellaneous photo gallery  http://athleticnetwork.net/site202.php

Our rich athletic traditions were intrusted to the vision, hope, loyalty and dedicated of these former athletes and we will forever owe them a debt of sincere gratitude.  May God Bless each of them and their families. 

Anyone with information, materials, pictures, memorabilia, etc., of the university’s former athletic program participants is requested to contact Ed Dugas at athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu   Thank you.

The Photo Gallery Link located on the left side of the home page at http://www.athleticnetwork.net contains over 8,000 pictures of former and current athletes and support groups.  Just click on photo gallery and when the menu appears, click on the sport or support group you wish to view. The years of pictures posted for that team or group will appear and you may click on the year you wish to view. One click on a thumbnail picture or narrative and it is enlarged; a click on the enlarged photo and it reverts back to the thumbnail.

The Athletic Network seeks to post pictures of each team and support group for each year they represented the university.

The stories of the 2008 honorees are still included in the News Page and may be viewed by clicking on "more news" at the bottom right of the News Box, scrolling down, clicking on the title of the story. Those spotlight features which are no longer shown in the News Page, have been moved to the Lagniappe Link of the "History of UL Athletics" located on the left side of the home page.

The Spotlight on Former Athletes announcement has also been placed in the profile of each honoree, excluding the pictures.

 

The 2009 honorees in the Athletic Network "Spotlight on Former Athletes" include:

January – Tim Thompson  Men’s Basketball 1957-61.

February – Gene Bacque  Baseball 1956 & 57.

March – Dr. Louis "Lou" Bowers Track & Field 1955, Tennis 1956-58, Wrestling Coach 1964-66.

April – Dr. Carter Lomax, Jr. Tennis 1974-76.

May – Johnny Morris, Jr. Football 1927-29,Men’s Basketball 1927-30,Track & Field 1928-30, Golf 1927-28, Coaches 1947-49 .

June – S.L.I.I. Athletic Pioneers I
July – S.L.I.I. Athletic Pioneers II

August – 1912 – A Special Year – First L’Acadien

September – Glenn Davis Lafleur  Football 1966-69.

October – Bill Bass Boxing 1938 & 39, Football 1938-40, Coach 1971-75 & 1983.

November – Tom Nolan Cross Country and Track & Field1971-76, Coach 1978-81.

Ed Dugas, Coordinator
Athletic Network athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu

(337)482-0999