Southwestern Louisiana Institute's Bulldogs forged ahead through a barrage of handicaps to claim the 1944-45 title of "Little Four Champions" or as otherwise termed, Louisiana Intercollegiate Champions.
Coach Louey Whitman, head football mentor, opened his seasonal practice with a glittering cast of gridsters(a Marine and Navy V-12 unit, winners over the Arkansas Aggies in the Oil Bowl at Houston, Texas on January 1, 1944).
By midseason the Marine and Navy unit was transferred and an entirely new team had to replace the transferred V-12ers.
"In Memory of Paul D. Dugas; 3/2/1964 - 1/13/2003; L'Acadien Copy Manager, 1985; Vermilion editor, 1987 and Kenneth Lane Spears; 7/23/39 - 7/28/97; USL Alumnus and High School Coach."
