Wagner receives keys to inaugural Habitat for Humanity home in Ruston

by Hanna Singh

One deserving individual was handed the keys to a brighter future as Cabrino Wagner became the first homeowner in a new Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Ruston.

Wagner, a manager at the Ruston Walmart, received the keys to her new home during the “Giving of the Keys” and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. Her home is the first of 18 planned for the new subdivision.

Wagner had applied to receive a Habitat for Humanity home for 3 years in a row. When she was selected to become their newest recipient, she took her new role as a homeowner very seriously. As part of the organization’s requirements, new homeowners participate in classes on financial literacy and homeownership to prepare for the responsibilities of maintaining a home. Wagner expressed deep appreciation for the chance to start anew in a safe and comfortable place.  

“One thing my mom always used to say was, always give those grace who go above and beyond for you,” Wagner said. “I’m so grateful for all the sponsors, donations and most of all, to North Louisiana Habitat for Humanity.”

The home was brought together over the last year through the efforts and donations of many sponsors and volunteers. Construction began in February 2024. The project received $122,775 in monetary donations and $33,478 in in-kind donations, for a total value of $156,253. A total of 237 volunteers contributed 1,066 hours to build the home.

CEO Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana, Kathy Gardner expressed her appreciation for all of the sponsors and volunteers.

“We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors, our volunteers, our board and our staff for all the hard work they put in. It takes everyone to make this happen. The funding was incredible and the caring that went into this home and the homeowner was amazing,” Gardner said. “That’s what it’s all about – the homeowner – and putting them in a good situation. They were in a bad place and now they are able to thrive.”

Gardner shared that her family will be moving in as soon as possible and are so grateful for the entire community coming together to support them. Although Wagner’s mother could not attend the ceremony, Gardner noted how excited she was to see her daughter reach this milestone. In honor of her, the home was dedicated to Wagner’s mother. The home is the first addition of 17 more that will be built on lots donated by Temple Baptist church.

Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana works to ensure that everyone has a decent place to live. They are a Christian organization with a mission to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. That mission was woven into every part of the homebuilding process. During construction, volunteers held a “stud signing” event, where the wooden studs were inscribed with Bible verses and blessings for the new owners. A Bible was also placed beneath the foundation and laid under concrete, symbolizing that the home was built on the strong foundation of God’s word.

Alongside Habitat for Humanity, this project was made possible through the generosity and efforts of many community partners, including: Frank Codaro Family, Temple Baptist Church, Hunt Family, Hunt Gilliout & Associates, Weyerhauser, First Presbyterian Church of Ruston, Corburn’s, Freeman Lumber, Pearce Lumber, Hancock Construction, Dan Lord Plumbing, City of Ruston, First Horizon Bank, CED, Adult & Teen Challenge, Tolar Trackhoe & Trucking, Origin Bank, Chase Bank, Dr. J Engineering, North Louisiana Electrical, Pintail Roofing, 318 Construction, 318 Heat & Air, Tempco Insulation, Industrial Cable Solutions, Home Improvement Outlet, Rogers Manufacturing, Tom Sanders, Greystone Rentals, Shermin Williams, Cross Keys Bank, Entergy, CRV Custom Painting, JTL Construction, Lowes, Douglas Cabinets, Golden Roofing, Lamar, Rapid Signs, JR’s Professional Concrete Finishing, PAK Construction & Roofing, Trey’s Landscaping Services, and Generations Concrete.

 


Grambling, Bradley look toward future at ‘Town Hall’ meeting

Photo by T. Scott Boatright

 

By T. Scott Boatright

 

Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley held a Town Hall meeting last week, with 50-60 city residents attending to hear him discuss a variety of subjects, including the city’s pending master plan, its new water meter replacement project, and a recently signed memorandum of understanding with Grambling State University. 

But Bradley’s speaking point that drew the most attention was his hopes of Grambling piggybacking off the ongoing construction of a Buc-ees’s Travel Center will bring to Lincoln Parish when the renowned giant convenience store opens off of Tarbutton Road in Ruston next year.

“When Buc-ee’s shows up, they bring a lot of economic development, a lot of restaurants, hotel and things of this nature. The city of Grambling, we’re trying to position ourselves to take advantage of that when it comes,” Bradley said. 

Extending the north side Interstate 20 Service Road from Tarbutton Road to Grambling is part of Bradley’s plan.

The hoped-for road would run parallel to I-20 in front of around 1.5. miles of mostly wooded property not considered to be in either Ruston or Grambling city limits. 

Two phases are planned to build the  road — the first from the Buc-ee’s construction site at the north intersection of I-20 and Tarbutton Road to a new service road that will access the travel center, and the second phase extending the road from the Ruston city limits to the Grambling city limits. 

Grambling would be responsible for finishing the road from its city limits to a yet-to-be-determined point that would tie into the Grambling I-20 interchange, thought likely to end near the now vacant original The Keg building in Grambling.

“What you have is just a proposed route,” Bradley said.

He also stressed no land will be annexed for the project.

“I know from Grambling’s perspective, we’re not trying to take anybody’s land,” Bradley said. “I don’t want that to get out there. Your land is your land.” 

“The service road will be an advantage to you,” Bradley told attendees. He said the travel center will be a win for everyone because of increased tax revenue. A win for Ruston, (and) a win for Grambling, is going to be a win for Lincoln Parish,” Bradley said.

Bradley said the MOU with Grambling State University will cement the town and gown relationship between GSU and the city.

“This opens the doors to a litany of opportunities for us as a city to partner with the university and create an environment that we all can benefit from.” 

He also stressed the importance of a master plan he and the Grambling City Council have developed.

“If you don’t have a plan in place, you can be somewhere all over the place,” Bradley said. ““It’s not Alvin Bradley’s master plan, it’s the city of Grambling’s master plan so we’re going to need your input as we move forward,” he said.


LPSO joins the DEA for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday

Courtesy of the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office

On Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction.

What:                    National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

When:                  Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Who:                     Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office 

Where:                 Super One Foods ( 1500 North Trenton Street Ruston, LA )

In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.

Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.


LA Tech’s Hadi Salehi awarded $200k NSF Grant to advance engineering research

Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

Dr. Hadi Salehi, assistant professor in the Departments of Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, and the Institute for Micromanufacturing at Louisiana Tech University, has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation through the Engineering Research Initiation program.

This two-year award will support Salehi’s research in advanced manufacturing and enhance the University’s engineering research infrastructure.

Salehi’s research interests focus on resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems, energy harvesting, advanced sensing systems, data analytics, and smart cities. The overarching goal of his research is to develop systems capable of delivering long-term autonomous monitoring data and mitigating the impacts of hazards on built environments. The funding will enable the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and provide new training opportunities for students.

The Engineering Research Initiation program supports early-career engineering faculty at institutions that are not among the nation’s most research-intensive universities. The initiative helps new investigators launch impactful research programs and enhances the training of the next generation of engineers.

“This prestigious National Science Foundation award reflects Dr. Salehi’s innovative research and the ongoing efforts to build a stronger research and educational environment at Louisiana Tech,” said Dr. Collin Wick, dean of the College of Engineering and Science. “We are proud of Dr. Salehi’s work, which exemplifies our commitment to fostering transformative research and preparing graduates to address real-world challenges through innovative engineering and science solutions.”

By supporting early-career faculty like Salehi, the NSF ERI program seeks to broaden the national engineering research community and expand research capacity at institutions like Louisiana Tech.


Parolee found with guns, drugs

An arrest of a Dubach man on several warrants by Lincoln Parish deputies and probation & parole officers lead to the seizure of numerous firearms allegedly possessed by the suspect.

Daniel Jumper, 25, was arrested on a traffic stop near his residence on April 17 by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and agents of the Louisiana Department of Corrections-Probation & Parole. Jumper told a probation officer of numerous firearms at his residence.

A search of the residence by probation & parole officers recovered two shotguns, a .22 rifle, and suspected methamphetamine. The serial number on the .22 rifle had been obliterated.


Jumper was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center by Probation & Parole for three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of methamphetamine, and violation of probation/parole.

Deputies charged Jumper on three warrants from another investigation for simple burglary, six counts of theft of a firearm, and six counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail on those charges was set at $180,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Dubach woman charged after domestic incident

A woman has been charged after she allegedly forced her way into a Sutton Drive apartment in southwest Ruston last week.

Ryneisha Mayfield, 23, of Dubach, was arrested by Ruston Police about noon on April 17 for several violent offenses.

Officers who responded to a disturbance call at a Sutton Drive residence found the front door open and Mayfield sitting on a bedroom floor holding another woman face down with the woman’s hair in her hands. Mayfield was taken into custody without resistance.


Mayfield told officers she went to the apartment unannounced to get money from the man for her son.

The man reportedly told police he opened the door to speak to Mayfield about why she had come, but she became irate, kicked in the door, and entered the house.

He said she threw an object at his 2-year-old son and then went to the bedroom and attacked the other woman who was in bed.

The man said he attempted to restrain Mayfield by grabbing her by the neck to get her off the other woman, but she bit him on the arm.

The other woman told police she heard a commotion in the living room just before Mayfield entered the bedroom and attacked her. The woman fought Mayfield who also bit her. Police said they saw bite marks on both victims. Ruston EMS provided treatment at the scene.

Mayfield was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for home invasion, domestic abuse battery, cruelty to a juvenile, and simple battery.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Groundbreaking ceremony today for Origin Bank Center for Student-Athlete Success

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech fans are invited to attend the groundbreaking of the Origin Bank Center for Student-Athlete Success today at 11 a.m. in the north endzone of Joe Aillet Stadium.

The ceremony for the transformative facility will be in the north end zone of Joe Aillet Stadium and is open to the public.

Made possible through both state funding and private donations, the Origin Bank Center for Student-Athlete Success will serve as a significant educational space that will provide world-class academic, wellness, and leadership resources for all LA Tech student-athletes.

Origin Bank, the official bank of Louisiana Tech Athletics, is the naming partner for the state-of-the-art facility after making the largest corporate gift ever to Louisiana Tech University.

It is the lastest part of a multi-phase project at Joe Aillet Stadium that has already seen the additions of the Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza as well as the LED ribbon board and video board.

The Origin Bank Center for Student-Athlete Success has a projected completion date of summer 2026.


Focused and relaxed — Beck’s Bearcats ready for Benton showdown

(Photo by Marla Freeman)

BENTON, La. — It was as close to a storybook ending you could have asked for last week for Ruston High.

Back in the playoffs after missing last season, the Bearcats were tied in extra innings Saturday with Hahnville in game two of a best-of-three series for the chance to advance to the second round of the 2025 LHSAA baseball playoffs.

And in the top of the eighth inning, Ruston got its first out-of-the-park home run of the season — and by sophomore John Parker Moak, no less, who was seriously injured in an on-field collision earlier in the month.

“What a moment for our team,” Ruston High head coach Bryan Beck said. “There was a time when we didn’t know if he’d be available for the playoff series. He’s an incredible competitor, and we knew he wanted to get back and play. He practiced as soon as he was (medically) released last week, and he practiced really hard.

“He told me he felt like he was seeing the ball really well — and we had not given him any live at-bat reps out of precaution. It just says so much about J.P. wanting to get to the plate with the game on the line. We’re really proud of him.”

The win marks the first postseason win for Ruston in three years and the first postseason three-game series win in nearly a decade.

And now, No. 12 Ruston (25-11) will travel westward to take on the No. 5 Benton Tigers (31-3) tonight at 7 p.m. — a team that earned a first-round bye in the playoffs but has not played a game in nearly two weeks.

For Beck, the message to the team is to stick to the plan that’s worked all season long: grind hard in practice and play hard and fast on the field. And he believes the tough schedule Ruston played during the regular season has sure helped, too.

All of this has prepared his team for a hopeful run in the playoffs — not just being satisfied with an opening series win.

“I think you’re seeing good habits develop for the kids,” Beck said. “It’s not just “Let’s just hope we’re ready and just be in the game.” This is part of the standard of our baseball program now. We’ve had another good week of practice, and overall, I’ve been really happy with how focused and relaxed they are getting their work in. I don’t think anybody’s going over to Benton thinking they’re just happy to be here. We know they’re a good team, and we want to go there and win the series.”

Senior David Griep will get the start tonight for the Bearcats on the mound, while the following game starters are to be determined. For Beck, it’s all about getting the win tonight and then figuring out what’s next.

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to get the win (in game one),” Beck said. “We’ll see what happens after that.”

Game two is set for Saturday, April 26, at 1 p.m. Should there need to be a game three, it will follow shortly afterward.

The series will be streamed on BearcatNationNetwork.com and the BNN YouTube Channel. The audio broadcast of Nick Brown and Toby Nations will be on Q94.1 FM.

 


Zwolle tops Simsboro 3-2 with late run

 

By T. Scott Boatright

 

ZWOLLE — So close, yet so far away.

But that doesn’t dampen an outstanding if not unlikely season.

Sometimes a baseball game can come down to one or two plays, and that was the feeling 17th-seeded Simsboro walked away with after falling 3-2 at 16th-seed Zwolle Thursday in first-round action of the Louisiana Class B State Playoffs.

The Tigers jumped on top 1-0 in the top of the second, but Zwolle took its first lead of the contest in the fourth by plating a pair of runs.

Simsboro, which tied the contest with a run in the top of the seventh inning, outhit the Hawks 5-4, but didn’t get enough when the Tigers needed them most, as Zwolle plated the game winner in the bottom half of the stanza for the walk-off win.

“We just didn’t come through when we needed to,” said Simsboro coach Scott Hiers. “There were times earlier in the game we had a few (scoring) opportunities but hit into a double play a couple of times.

“It was a solid game. Both teams played well. Both pitchers pitched well. We just didn’t take enough advantage of our chances. It’s just one of those things.”

Max Lee led the Tigers at the plate with a 2-for-3 batting performance with one run batted in while Noah Thomas accounted for Simsboro’s other RBI.

Hiers said he let the team know how proud he was of their season during their postgame talk.

“I told them I was really proud of them and the way they fought through the season having lost (their only senior and top player Hayden) Rabo early on in the season,” Hiers said. “They still won 15 games and made it to the playoffs and gave themselves a chance to win a playoff game. So I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

So proud that Hiers is already thinking about next year.

“What I’m already thinking about before getting home is next season,” Hiers said. “We’ll be a year bigger. A year stronger. The only senior I had this season was Rabo and we played 90% of the season without him.

“So I told them Monday, it’s time to go back to work. That’s our focus now.”


COLUMN: The record rotation

by Brad Dison
 

As a teenager, John “Duff” Lowe was a budding pianist.  In February 1958, a friend of his from school knew of Duff’s playing ability and asked him to join his band.  With little consideration, 15-year-old Duff agreed.  Being in the band was tough on Duff.  On Sunday afternoons, the band would rehearse for Saturday night gigs which were anything but frequent, and his bandmates lived on the other side of the city.  Just to get to rehearsals, Duff, too young to drive himself, had to take two buses.  Like the rehearsals, their sporadic bookings were usually across town as well.  With his school schedule, Duff was unable to meet up with the band during the week.        

On Saturday afternoon, July 12, 1958, five months after joining the band, Duff and his bandmates went to a shop owned by Percy Phillips.  Percy sold a variety of consumer goods including electrical appliances, batteries, and bicycles from the front of the shop.  In the back of his shop was a soundproof room where Percy had a small and simple recording studio.  Bands paid a small fee to make a recording, and each song was recorded in a single take directly onto an acetate disc.  On that hot July day, Duff and his bandmates went to Percy Phillips’s back-room studio and recorded two songs: “That’ll Be the Day,” a cover version of Buddy Holley’s 1956 hit song, and an original slow-paced doo-wop song called “In Spite of All the Danger.”  Duff and his bandmates were proud of the record, but they could not afford to make duplicates.  To solve the dilemma of who would keep the record, they decided that each band member would get to keep the record for a week, then he would pass it to another member.  Duff was the last member in the rotation.   


The band was, as the expression says, going nowhere fast.  Duff tired of the long treks to and from rehearsals.  He was also missing out on the camaraderie that the other band members were experiencing during the week.  Two years after joining the band, Ricky Tomlinson, leader of another band called “Hobo Rick & the City Slickers,” heard about Duff’s abilities.  With the lure of fame and fortune, and more importantly, less bus trips, Ricky convinced Duff to abandon his current band and to join his band.  Have you ever heard of “Hobo Rick & the City Slickers?”  They failed to become household names and only lasted a short time.         

Duff became a successful stockbroker.  In 1981, Duff was looking in his sock drawer when he found the old 10-inch acetate record that he and his original band had recorded at Percy Phillips’ studio 23 years earlier.  We can only speculate as to Duff’s reaction to finding the recording which everyone thought was lost forever.  Duff eventually sold the record to one of his former bandmates, Paul, and it is said to be the most valuable record in the world.  That 10-inch acetate disc, recorded with Duff as a member of the Quarrymen, was the first recording of the band that became the Beatles.

Sources:

1.     “John Duff Lowe – Piano,” The Original Quarrymen, accessed April 20, 2025, http://www.originalquarrymen.co.uk/html/duff.html.

2.     “The Percy Phillips Studio Collection,” International Beatle Week, accessed April 20, 2025, https://www.internationalbeatleweek.com/special-events-percy-phillips/.

3.     “The Quarrymen – That’ll Be The Day,” Youtube, accessed April 20, 2025, https://youtu.be/R4_LMMKq8Hw?si=_xdGsglSsFxWO_yf.

4.     “In Spite of All the Danger – The Quarrymen,” Youtube.com, accessed April 20, 2025, https://youtu.be/RuuOAA9ekbg?si=qWnhgZc9v5EqIisZ.

5.     The Daily Telegraph, August 18, 1981, p.8.

6.     The Westmorland Gazette, September 7, 2017, p.M73.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Local events

Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com

Friday, April 25
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball


Saturday, April 26
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North Central Louisiana Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale (The Bridge Community Church, 2301 N. Trenton)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: ShedFest maker Maret (Ruston Community Men’s Shed, 2782 Hwy 33)
10 a.m.: LA Tech spring football game
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Battle of the Bands (Railroad Park, Ruston)
Noon to 4 p.m.: Board Games (Lincoln Parish Library)
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
2 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
4-9 p.m.: Tech Union Board presents Spring Fling (Tech Drive Field)
6-9 p.m.: India Night (Tonk, Louisiana Tech – call 209-684-6747 for more information)

Sunday, April 27
1 p.m.: LA Tech softball
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

Monday, April 28
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, April 29
4:30-6 p.m.: Small Business Month Reception (Board & Bottle)
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: GSU baseball

Wednesday, April 30
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

Thursday, May 1
6:30 a.m.: Community Prayer Breakfast (Ruston Sports Complex, $20 donation)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6-8 p.m.: Gnocchi Class (Ruston Farmers Market)

Friday, May 2
6 p.m.: GSU baseball

Saturday, May 3
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Plein Air Pop-Up Picnic Day (Lincoln Parish Museum)
3 p.m.: GSU baseball

Sunday, May 4
1 p.m.: GSU baseball

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Tech baseball, softball host important CUSA series this weekend

Ryan Harland

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Both Louisiana Tech diamond teams will be hosting important Conference USA series this weekend as baseball welcomes Dallas Baptist while softball hosts Top 25 Liberty.

Softball

Louisiana Tech softball returns home to Dr. Billy Bundrick Field to host Liberty after an eight-game road trip that saw the Bulldogs post a 5-3 mark.

It’s a match-up of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the current league standings. The Flames sit atop the Conference USA standings while the Bulldogs are in second place.

Tonight’s first pitch is set for 6 p.m. while Saturday is slated for 2 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. Tech will honor its senior class following the final out in Sunday’s finale. All three games can be seen on ESPN+.

This will be the seventh, eighth and ninth all-time meetings between the Bulldogs and Flames with Liberty leading 6-0. The two schools first met in the 2016 season as Liberty made its first ever trip to Ruston to play in the LA Tech Classic.

The two schools met for the first time in eight years last season and for the first time as CUSA members. Liberty swept the Bulldogs in the regular season (2-0, 3-0, 2-0) and ended LA Tech’s run in the CUSA Tournament at the hands of a 5-0 defeat.

The Bulldogs moved to 29-18 (14-7 CUSA) after shutting out Stephen F. Austin 9-0 on Tuesday night. The 9-0 win marked the Bulldogs’ sixth shutout win of the season and their third run-rule win of the year. 

Reagan Marchant hit her 14th home run of the season Tuesday and is tied for second all-time in program history with 14 home runs in a single season. Marchant has 43 hits, 42 RBI, 26 runs and is batting .321 this season. Nicole Hammoude leads the team with a .379 batting average and ranks second on the team in RBI (41) and hits (50).

Allie Floyd enters this weekend’s series with a 20-9 record as she became the 18th LA Tech pitcher in program history to record 20 wins in a single season. She leads the league in wins (20), complete games (15), innings pitched (173.0), and strikeouts (164).

Liberty (38-10, 17-3) comes into this weekend’s series as the hottest team in CUSA. The Flames have won all seven of their CUSA series this season.

Liberty is led by Rachel Roupe, who leads the team with 55 RBI, 16 home runs, while her 42 runs and .381 batting average are second best.

Elena Escobar is the top arm in the circle for Liberty as she carries a 17-3 record and a 2.23 ERA. She has nine complete games, and four shutout wins in 109.2 innings of work. The senior right-hander has allowed 41 runs (35 earned) on 89 hits. She has fanned 127 and issued 32 walks.

___________________________

Baseball

The Diamond ‘Dogs (25-15, 10-4 CUSA) are gearing up for a clash with the Dallas Baptist Patriots (28-12, 11-4 CUSA) in a weekend series among two of the league’s top three programs this year at the Love Shack.

DBU is tied with WKU atop the CUSA standings while the Bulldogs are one-half game back in third place. 

Tonight’s opener is set for  6 p.m. CT followed by Game 2 on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. The series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.

All three games can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on 97.7 FM.

The two teams have split the previous 34 match-ups with each winning 17 games. DBU defeated Tech 17-10 in the 2024 CUSA Championship game last May at the Love Shack.

LA Tech is coming off securing its sixth-straight series win and fifth-straight series against a CUSA opponent after taking two of three games from Liberty at home last weekend. The Bulldogs opened the series with a thrilling walk-off comeback victory on Thursday before clinching the rubber game with a closely played 4-3 win.

Trey Hawsey leads the team with a 1.014 OPS while holding a staggering OPS of 1.301 in league contests, which is third-best in CUSA. The West Monroe native is on a nine-game hitting streak, which is the longest current streak on the team. He is batting .390 in CUSA games, leading the Bulldogs and sitting among the top 10 in the conference.

DBU enters the weekend tied for the top spot in the CUSA standings with WKU at an 11-4 record in conference play. The Patriots had a nine-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday, April 22 in a 16-4 blowout loss on the road at Oklahoma State.

The Patriots recorded consecutive sweeps at Jacksonville State and at home against Sam Houston following a series loss to the Hilltoppers at home. They have recently picked up midweek ranked wins on the road at No. 16 Oklahoma (9-1) and at No. 15 TCU (6-5) in 10 innings. DBU’s offense exploded for 49 runs in three games against the Bearkats while only allowing four runs in each of their three games.


Bulldog basketball adds four signees

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

 

Louisiana Tech head coach Talvin Hester announced this week the addition of four signees in Avery Thomas, Jermaurhiyun Anderson, DJ Dudley, and Sir Issac Herron.

Avery Thomas

Thomas, a 6-foot-7, 195-forward from Jackson, Mississippi, was a Second Team All-MACCC Team and Region 23 All-Tournament Team selection as a freshman this past season for the Bobcats.

“We are excited to welcome Avery Thomas II to our Bulldog Family,” said Hester. “He adds much-needed length and shooting at the wing position. Avery also does a great job of rebounding on both ends of the floor. He has a lot of untapped potential, and we look forward to seeing him compete as a Bulldog.”

Thomas was a teammate this past season of Bulldog signee, Kylan Howze, at Jones College, helping the Bobcats go 30-4, the most wins in program history. Jones College claimed the MACCC regular season title, going 13-1 in league play, and finished ranked No. 4 in the country after winning the Region 23 title and advancing to the NJCAA Tournament Round of 16.

He played and started all 34 games for Jones College, averaging 14.6 points per game, second most on the team, while shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 45.0 percent from three-point range, and 85.1 percent from the free throw line.

Thomas, named a Fab 50 Freshman by JucoRecruiting.com, scored in double figures in 26 of the 34 games including seven 20+ scoring performances while ranking 16th in NJCAA Division I in three-point shooting percentage (minimum 100 attempts).

He also averaged a team-high 6.8 rebounds as well as 1.6 steals per game, registering seven double-doubles including 17 points and a season-high 14 boards in the Region 23 final against Pearl River.

Jermaurhiyun Anderson

Anderson, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard from Greenville, South Carolina, averaged a team-high 15.1 points for the Lions this past season as a freshman, earning All-MACCC Honorable Mention honors.

“As a staff, one of the main focuses for next year’s roster was to get more size at our guard positions and Jermaurhiyun does that,” said Hester. “He is a three-level scorer that has the ability to use his height and athleticism to attack defenders. We also believe he can defend multiple positions effectively.”

Anderson scored in double figures in 22 games including five 20+ scoring performances. He had two season-high 25-point efforts versus Holmes and Reid State while also registering a double-double at Shelton State with 13 points and 12 boards.

He was an all-around player for EMCC, averaging 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game as a first-year collegiate.

Sir Issac Herron

Herron, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward from Houston, Texas, spent the last four seasons at Oral Roberts.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Sir Issac to Ruston,” said Hester. “His physicality, skill, athleticism, versatility, and experience bring us a dynamic addition to our front court.”

Herron played in 57 career games while for the ??? while making 23 starts (missed two seasons due to injury). For his career, he averaged 4.1 points while shooting 56.7 percent from the field. He also averaged 2.8 points and 0.6 blocks per contest.

His best season came in 2023-24 when he made was a regular in the starting lineup for ORU, averaging 5.6 points and 3.7 boards per game. He registered five double-digit scoring games, scoring a career-high 14 points versus Denver.

Coming out of high school, he was a three-star recruit and ranked as the 18th best player in the state of Texas by 247Sports.

DJ Dudley

Dudley, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard from Inglewood, California, spent this past season at Hutchinson CC as a sophomore, earning Second Team All-KJCCC honors. Prior to that, he spent his freshman campaign at Rider University.

“We are thrilled to welcome DJ to our program,” said Hester. “His ability to play on and off the ball on both ends, as well as score, make plays for others, and defend, will bring excitement to the TAC.”

Dudley made 28 starts for the Blue Dragons, averaging 14.3 points per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the field. He scored in double figures 26 times including five 20+ scoring performances. His best scoring effort came against Colby Community College, posting 29 points.

He also averaged 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game for Hutchinson.

As a freshman at Rider, Dudley averaged 5.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game over 28 games off the bench. His best performance came at Iona when he scored a season-high 28 points.

In high school, Dudley starred at LA Premier Prep where he posted a program-record seven triple-doubles, scored a program-record 45 points in a single game, and set the program single-season record with 281 assists in route to being a 2022 McDonald’s All-America nominee.


Notice of death — April 24, 2025

Melba Jean Odom Thompson 
December 3, 1932 – April 18, 2025 
Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm 
Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 2:00 pm 

Mary Archie  
Thursday 07/25/1946 — Wednesday 04/16/2025   
Visitation: Friday 04/25/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Funeral Service: Saturday 04/26/2025 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Interment: Saturday 04/26/2025 Following Service, Hopewell Cemetery, Dubach  

Jessie Irene Bratton Collinsworth  
Tuesday 07/22/1930 — Thursday 04/17/2025   
Visitation: Friday 04/25/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Funeral Service: Saturday 04/26/2025 1:00pm, New Prosperity Baptist Church, 1378 Prosperity Church Road, Clay  
Interment: Saturday 04/26/2025 Following Service, New Prosperity Cemetery  
Clay  

Hiram Mondez Dunaway  
Saturday 02/15/1975 — Wednesday 04/07/2025   
Visitation: Friday 04/25/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Funeral Service: Saturday 04/26/2025, 11:00am, New Living Word Ministries, 1900 West Barnett Springs Road, Ruston  
Interment: Saturday 04/26/2025 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling 


GSU Department of Music receives NASM reaccreditation through 2033

Courtesy of GSU Communications

Music has been one of the foundations for Grambling State University (GSU), with its first music classes being offered in 1905.

And it will continue to do so long into the future, as shown by GSU’s recent reaccreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

That accreditation is in effect as of Spring 2025. The next NASM review of Grambling State’s Music Department will take place in the 2032-33 school year.

“I am elated to announce that our music department has been reaffirmed by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM),” said Dr. Nikole Roebuck, Head of GSU’s Music Department and Director of the World Famed Marching Tiger Band. “This prestigious accreditation not only highlights our commitment to excellence in music but also serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students.

“Achieving and maintaining this national accreditation is no small feat. It reflects our unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience and fostering a vibrant community of musicians. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to continuing our mission of inspiring and cultivating the next generation of musical talent.”

Founded in 1924, NASM is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 628 accredited institutional members. 

NASM establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other music-related endeavors.

Grambling State’s  Department of Music views its role at the university as both an academic and a service unit whose mission is to provide programs of study for both music majors and non-music majors and to educate future music professionals through appropriate curricular offerings leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with three concentrations — Bachelor of Arts in Music (Liberal Arts), Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music (Sound Recording Technology) and Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (Instrumental, Vocal).

The Liberal Arts concentration is designed for those students who are seeking a solid foundation of various non-teaching music careers. 

In addition, students have the option to continue their studies at the graduate level. Special requirements in this curriculum include 1) grades of “C” or higher in all music courses, and 2) a public senior recital on the major instrument/ voice for successful completion of this course of study. Grades lower than “C” in music courses will not count toward the degree. The senior recital must be approved by the applied music teacher and the recital committee.

GSU students can select a major from the following areas of applied music:  Baritone Horn, Guitar, Trumpet, Bassoon, Oboe, Trombone, Cello, Organ, Tuba, Clarinet, Percussion, Viola, Cornet, Piano, Violin, Flute, Saxophone, Voice, French Horn, String Bass.

Students pursuing the Music Education-Instrumental or the Music Education-Vocal concentration must complete the required program outlined in general, specialized academic, and professional education areas. The program leads to teacher certification at the K-12 level.

In instrumental music, candidates may choose band or orchestra. The academic advisor will provide specific course selections that apply to the respective option. Students must check with their academic advisor for updated curriculum changes required by state and national accreditation bodies that may affect existing requirements.

Each student must declare a primary applied area of focus as indicated in each degree plan. Students must present a recital as noted in the specific degree program. The recital must be approved by the applied music teacher and the recital committee.

The mission of the Music Department, an academic and service unit whose programs and activities are planned and executed in full agreement with university goals and objectives, is to:

  • Provide undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education courses for both music majors and non-music majors regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, and veteran status.
  • Educate future music professionals through appropriate curricular offerings leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree through pure and applied research related to curricular emphases in liberal arts, and education.
  • Enable the university to fulfill its mission through talent and skill development and community service dedicated to raising the standard of living and enhancing the quality of life.
  • Provide students with opportunities for research and performance experiences, utilizing information technologies in preparation for participation in a global society.
  • Prepare students for involvement in musical and artistic endeavors in society at large.
  • Promote self-actualization through electives, service courses, and community service for those who pursue music as a collateral subject or for personal enrichment.

To earn NASM reaccreditation, GSU had to review current standards with regard to the delivery of coursework through distance learning means, ensuring that compliance with standards is maintained by the institution.

As part of the reaccreditation process, institutions are asked to note in particular that 1) all programs of study falling under the purview of NASM delivered entirely or partially away from regular face-to-face interactions must be submitted for review by NASM; and 2) institutions must provide, in institutional publications as appropriate, a listing, or designation, or indication of all music programs offered either entirely or partially through distance learning means. 

The institution must also designate in publications whether required courses are offered through distance learning and/or on-ground, in-person means.


Bakelite Synthetics named Top Level Industry Partner of Tech’s Forest Products Innovative Center

Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

Bakelite Synthetics (the Company), a leading global integrated producer of specialty resins, systems, and engineered thermoset molding compounds, is the design and construction “Top Level” Industry Partner of Louisiana Tech University’s new Forest Products Innovation Center.

The collaboration establishes the Company as a prominent leader, providing industry-relevant testing and research needs to countless students and industry experts.

As an industry partner, Bakelite Synthetics will collaborate with students, faculty, and other industry leaders to advance ideas and technologies. The Company will also work with research teams to develop scientific discoveries that lead to innovative and valuable solutions for the forest products industry.

With a rich history of more than 100 years, Bakelite Synthetics is committed to advancing sustainable product development by leveraging innovative chemistry to create materials that improve everyday life and protect the planet. Bakelite Synthetics serves multiple industries, including wood and forest products, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and long-term community impact.

The Forest Products Innovation Center will serve as a hub for developing new methods to capture, produce, and utilize Louisiana’s renewable and sustainable forest resources. As part of Louisiana Tech’s Tech 2030 strategic initiative, the center will foster interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and students in fields such as forestry, chemical and industrial engineering, and sustainable supply chain management. This collaborative approach will help address the evolving needs of the timber industry while benefiting the state, region, and global economy.

“We are excited to have Bakelite join our Forest Products Innovation Center team,” Dr. Gary Kennedy, Tech’s dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, said. “Their strategic approach to innovation and sustainability aligns perfectly with our vision for the center. Bakelite is the first corporation of its kind to partner with us, as it is not directly a forest products company. Instead, it supports the forest products industry through the development of resins, coatings, and adhesives. In addition to an engineered wood products lab and a testing lab, the center will also have multiple chemistry and analytical labs, which is a great fit for Bakelite’s product line and research interests.”

“We are proud to support Louisiana Tech University’s Forest Products Innovation Center as a ‘Top Level’ Industry Partner. This partnership underscores Bakelite’s commitment to advancing sustainable innovation and fostering collaboration with universities and the forest products industry.” said JP Aucoin, president and CEO of Bakelite Synthetics. “By partnering with students, faculty, and industry leaders, we aim to drive innovation and develop valuable solutions that will benefit the timber industry and our planet while empowering the next generation of aspiring scientists.”

The Forest Products Innovation Center is expected to generate greater economic opportunities for the state, create a lasting impact on academic and professional development, and provide a space for solving challenges in the timber industry through a transdisciplinary approach.


Man with concealed gun fights off Taser

A call to a South Farmerville Street convenience store last week led to the arrest of a convicted felon in possession of a firearm but only after a Taser was applied several times to take him into custody.

Ruston Police arrested Anthony Donnell Jackson, 48, of Ruston, on April 17 after a call to the scene regarding an intoxicated man.

Officers found Jackson on the ground in the parking lot with several other men standing around him. Jackson walked away from police heading back toward the store, ignoring an officer’s repeated commands to stop. Jackson opened the store’s front door and attempted to quickly close it but an officer deployed a Taser.


Officers tried to restrain Jackson but he resisted, leading an officer to deploy a Taser twice. Jackson continued to resist and refused to place his hands behind his back.

Once Jackson was taken into custody, a Taurus .38 Special revolver on the floor under a table. Review of surveillance video showed the handgun fell out of Jackson’s pants during the arrest. A check revealed Jackson was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Just under five grams of marijuana were found in Jackson’s pants pocket when he was searched.

Jackson was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting an officer by force or violence, resisting an officer by refusal to identify, disturbing the peace by intoxicated in public, and possession of marijuana, and a warrant for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on a criminal trespass case.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Louisiana in Lincoln Parish this Friday

Courtesy of Special Olympics of Louisiana

Officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” for Special Olympics Louisiana throughout the area on Friday April 25th.  Law Enforcement Officers from agencies across the state will be participating to bring awareness to Special Olympics Louisiana and the upcoming State Summer Games.

The Northeast Area leg of the Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run details:

Date: April 25, 2025

Time: 5:30am

Location: It will start at Dubach Town Hall – 7833 Annie Lee St., Dubach, LA an will end at – Jim Mize Stadium – 1312 W. Alabama Ave., Ruston, LA

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is an international series of torch relays, run by law enforcement officers leading up to each state or nation’s Special Olympics Summer Games. The Special Olympics Louisiana State Summer Games will be held May 23rd-25th on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. Officers will carry the torch from all points of the state beginning in late April, with a series of runs throughout the month of May.

The final leg of the run will take place at Southeastern Louisiana University and conclude at Opening Ceremonies at the Southeastern Track Complex for 7pm on May 23rd.  Photo and interview opportunities will be available at the end of the run.  All Law Enforcement Torch Run events are open to the public. For more information about this run, the final leg run, or the 2025 State Summer Games please log onto www.specialolympicsla.org.

Special Olympics Louisiana’s Law Enforcement Torch Run hosts various fundraising events in all areas of the state year-round. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is Special Olympics’ largest annual grass roots fund raising and public awareness campaign. 

This year the Torch Run is celebrating its 41st year. 

Officers carry the “Flame of Hope” throughout Louisiana and work year-round conducting other fund raising activities for Special Olympics Louisiana. For more information on the Law Enforcement Torch Run or events in your area, visit www.specialolympicsla.org and click Law Enforcement Torch Run.

___________________________

Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) is a state-wide, 501(C) 3 non-profit organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. SOLA offers year-round programs for 8,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in all 64 parishes with the help of 6,000 volunteers. Health, education, leadership, family, training and sports programs are available for people beginning at age 2, and there is no upper age limit. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. For more information, visit Special Olympics Louisiana at www.specialolympicsla.org. Engage with us on X @SOLouisiana; fb.com/specialolympicslouisiana; youtube.com/SOLouisianaTV, and Instagram.com/specialolympicslouisiana.


Scheduled electrical outage for Barnett Springs Avenue area set for April 28

The City of Ruston announces, the electrical outage in the West and South Barnett Springs Avenue area, previously scheduled for Wednesday, April 23rd at 9:00 am, has been rescheduled for Monday, April 28th at 9:00 am.

City of Ruston electrical customers in the following areas and/or along the following streets will be affected by the extended, scheduled outage. The outage is necessary for lineman safety while they perform this necessary work and is anticipated to last for approximately 2 hours.

Tanyard Creek Subdivision (Tanyard Creek Dr.; Kylie Paige Dr.; Harley Lane; Wiltshire Lane; Archer Loop; Earlene St.)

W. Barnett Springs Avenue (west of S. Maple Street)

S. Barnett Springs Avenue (between W. Barnett Springs Ave. and Leyland Drive Cypress Run Subdivision (Sequoia Avenue and Leyland Drive)

Homeville Apts.

Village Green Apts.

Gray Creek Apts.

Hidden Oaks Subdivision

The City of Ruston regrets any inconvenience this necessary work may cause residents. We appreciate your patience, and any questions can be received by the Public Works Department at (318) 255-1316.


Man faces fourth DWI charge

A Fort Worth man was arrested in Lincoln Parish last week for his fourth DWI offense.

Brett Shannon Peterson, 32, of Fort Worth, Texas, was stopped by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office around about 2 a.m. April 15 after a report of a blue Ford F150 truck operated by a reckless driver on Interstate 20 westbound at milepost 90.

A Lincoln Parish deputy spotted a blue F150 near exit 86 that was traveling well below the posted speed limit down the center of the roadway, straddling the white dashed lane divider.


During the stop, the deputy detected a very strong odor of alcohol on Peterson’s breath. An open container of alcohol was found on the front seat.

After field sobriety tests were administered, Peterson provided a breath sample that showed his blood alcohol concentration to be .217g%, over three times the Louisiana legal limit.

A records check showed Peterson was convicted of his third DWI in 2022. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for fourth offense DWI, improper lane usage, and open container.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

St. Edmund uses 11th hour rally to end Cougars diamond season

by Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek was one out away from advancing to the second round of the Select School Division IV playoffs, but 15th seeded St. Edmund plated two unearned runs to walk off with a 5-4 victory Wednesday night.

The Cougars (12-19) led 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning before St. Edmund scored two runs to close the deficit to 4-3. 

Then in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and the bases empty, St. Edmund registered back-to-back singles followed by a walk to load the bases. The ensuing batter worked a full count before a ground ball was misplayed by the Cougars, allowing the game-tying and game-winning runs to cross the plate.

“It’s unfortunate,” said head coach Chad Yates. “We had ourselves in a good position to win a baseball game, and we couldn’t finish. Going into the 6th with a three-run lead and (Kade) Luker pretty much cruising, you’re feeling pretty good about it.

“A couple of walks and a couple of unfortunate plays on the infield in the 6th that did not go our way allowed St. Edmund’s to cut the lead to 4-3. Luker’s pitch count was up there and he was able to get the first two outs in the 7th, but we had to go to the pen and we couldn’t secure the final out.”

Creek got the game started off when Luker hit a solo home run to right field, giving the Cougars the early 1-0 advantage. Luker finished the game 2-for-3 with one run and two RBI.

St. Edmund tied the game in the bottom of the first, scoring an unearned run on a fielding error by the Cougars outfield, one of three miscues by the Creek defense in the box score. 

Creek retook the lead in the top of the third inning on a single by Ryan Coleman and a subsequent error by the Blue Jays, allowing Connor Yates to cross home plate for the 2-1 advantage. 

The Cougars added two more runs in the fourth. Micah Taylor doubled and then scored on a bunt single by Cason Floyd and a throwing error by St. Edmund. Luker then plated Floyd on a sacrifice fly. Taylor joined Luker in the two-hit club for the game.

The score remained 4-1 until the bottom of the sixth. 

Luker allowed three runs – one earned — on only one hit and four walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings of action. 

“Hats off to St. Edmund for finding a way to continue their season,” said Yates. “I am proud of the way our guys competed. I hate it for our seniors but certainly appreciate all their efforts they gave to Cedar Creek baseball.”


Tech 2025 Homecoming Game set for Halloween night

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech football has announced a change to its 2025 home schedule and released its 2025 homecoming date.

Originally scheduled for Tuesday night, LA Tech will now host Sam Houston on Friday, October 31st at Joe Aillet Stadium. The game will also serve as the Bulldogs’ Homecoming game.

As part of the festivities for Homecoming Weekend, the Sam Houston football game has been moved from Tuesday, October 28th to Friday, October 31st. Kick time will be determined by TV and announced at a later date.

“We are excited to be able to announce this unique opportunity for our homecoming,” stated Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. “I’d like to thank the Conference USA office, Sam Houston and our TV partners for working to create this opportunity. Having a chance to host a Halloween homecoming game inside Joe Aiilet Stadium will be an incredible opportunity to create an experience we won’t soon forget. Looking forward to seeing all of our Dogs that weekend.”

Coming off their first bowl appearance since 2019, the Bulldogs will face six teams at Joe Aillet Stadium in 2025. LA Tech will welcome four CUSA foes to Ruston including New Mexico State, WKU, Sam Houston, and Liberty along with Southeastern Louisiana and Southern Miss in non-conference play.

Season ticket holders received an email in early March with instructions to activate their accounts as part of the renewal process for the upcoming season. Fans must use the email address provided in the message to activate their accounts and log in to view their renewal applications.

New season tickets are now available for purchase online at latechsports.evenue.net.

The renewal deadline for 2025 season tickets is June 1.

2025 LA Tech Football Schedule (Revised)
Aug. 30 – Southeastern
Sept. 6 – at LSU
Sept. 13 – New Mexico State*
Sept. 20 – Southern Miss
Sept. 27 – at UTEP*
Oct. 4 Bye
Oct. 9 at – Kennesaw State*
Oct. 14 Bye
Oct. 21 – WKU*
Oct. 31 – Sam Houston*^
Nov. 8 at Delaware*
Nov. 15 at Washington State
Nov. 22 – Liberty*
Nov. 29 at Missouri State*

Home games in bold | *CUSA Contest | ^Homecoming
Kick times are TBD
Broadcast schedule is TBD