Nicholls State University - La Pirogue Yearbook (Thibodaux, LA)

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Four Gulf South Conference titles brought two NCAA playoff bids in basketball and baseball in the spring. 7975-76 analysis Following a Champi'on5hi,o year The 1975-76 intercollegiate athletic year was a turn around for the teams, coaches and fans of Nicholls. Beginning with the Gulf South Conference title in foot- ball, Colonel teams took three other GSC titles, in basket- ball, baseball and tennis to win the All-GSC sports trophy. Not only did area newspapers and television recognize the achievements of the teams, but the NCAA posted playoff bids in basketball, baseball and tennis for Nicholls, with the Thibodaux university hosting two regional tourna- ments Cbasketball and baseballj. Gary Barbaro became the first Colonel football player to be drafted in the pros, going in the sixth round to the Kan- sas City Chiefs. Terry Magee signed as a tree agent kicker with the Houston Oilers to give the athletic department two players to watch. Shelby l-lypolite, an honorable mention all-American, received an invitation to a tryout camp of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. Other basketball stars, freshman Larry Wilson and freshman Michael Talbert joined Nicholls Coach Don Lan- dry as he led a 10-man GSC all-star team on a summer tour of Costa Rica and El Salvador. Athletics also saw a new beginning as Kaye McCann, daughter of Dr. Gary McCann, head of the foreign lan- guage department, became the first woman to sign an athletic scholarship to Nicholls. Other women's scholarships are expected in the future, but this was the first indication women's athletics, in its third year, might receive financial help similar to what has been put into men's intercollegiates. The financial question of college athletics has always been fuel for debate. When the Colonels finished their 1974 football season, the team had a 5-6 won-loss record, the best the team had posted. The athletic department requested in turn, a record request of EB567,000 for its 1975-76 fiscal budget. After the 1975 team finished 8-2 with the GSC champi- onship, it can only be guessed at how high the budget request will gog some estimate close to S700,000. A championship year makes everyone happy, adminis- trators, alumni and fans. The administrators know more students attend a university with a successful athletic pro- gram. The athletic department knows paying fans will attend games and buy the hats, programs and banners to sup- port their teams. David Percle l21 J backs up Gary Barbba- ro's interception to end the game for Northwestern Louisiana. Barbaro became the first Colonel to be drafted into the pro ranks Cuenca F llowinq 1 championship year

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The time-honored loose ball has a different set of competitors during a powder puff football game, Meade dorm went on to defeat Ellencler dorm 24-O. Teams going into the playoffs were TKE Cherry and Delta Sigma Phi CSouth- ern Leaguej, J.D. St Seven and B.A. War- riors CNorthern Leagueb, the Competitors and PZK Cliastern Leaguej and the Chief and the Rebels CWestern Leaguej. When the championship game rolled around, the two teams from the Western League faced each other again. ln regular play the Chiefs had defeated the Rebels, and they did it again 63-61 forthe title. Sammy Parrino led the Chiefs with 10 points, while Mike Morris and Danny Cavell had 11 and 10 points respectively. Top scorer was Clinton Bergeron with 29 points for the Chiefs. Volleyball First ........., Delta Zeta Actives Second ......... Denise's Dames Third .......... Meade Cowboys Football First ............ Fourchon Road Second ............ Pike Garnet Third ....4.......... Top Team Basketball First ................ The Chiefs Second ..........,.. The Rebels Third .....l...,... B.A. Warriors Softball First ......... . ..... The Athletes Second ....... Tau Kappa Epsilon Badminton Singles ........... Karen Wilson Doubles ........... Karen Wilson Carla Michell In the consolation game, the B.A. War- riors defeated TKE Cherry 61-53. The uniforms are scutfy and the scores sometimes are embarrassing, but that feeling on a layup tor two points or the home run add to the joy of simply going out and having fun. Carroll Lyons' spike falls short as two TKE blockers try to avoid touching the net. Hitting the net scores a point for the other team, if they serve the ball.

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And the fans, well the student fans hand over 3312.50 each semester to the department in their tuition fees. No person can predict how one championship year will affect the university or its people. To repeat the feats of 1975-76 would be hard to say the least. To uphold the visions many fans will have next year will be equally difficult. Some discontent has already risen over a decision which has temporarily put Nicholls out of the NCAA toot- baii playoffstor 1976. With the discussion of forming a Division 1-A from schools of Division 2 standings, the athletic department handed out 70 scholarships, 10 more than allowed in Divi- sion 2, but the number to be allowed in the proposed Divi- sion 1-A. At its spring convention, the NCAA decided to put off forming the division, which would have left Nicholls in recruiting trouble. However, the NCAA allowed Nicholls and several other schools who had jumped the gun to wait in a limbo state until a decision is made. While in the limbo state the Colonels will be unable to compete in post-season football competition. lf the division is never formed, then Nicholls would have to either go up to Division 1 and face major college pow- An NCAA decision not to create a football Division 1-A left Nicholls in limbo until a decision is reached. One of the results of a champion- ship year: a new sign, placed in the front of the campus. .agsigig , , is 4 1' I ' ' . 1 . ' N :lf g 3. fl if , x , xi, 1 ft 51 : 1 . rr-- 2. 1 1 f ,., ,- , ' Raymond Didier, athletic director, ' :i'i ,I who came to Nicholls from Louisi- ana State as a baseball coach, has overseen the growth of intercolle- giate athletics. ers or cancel 10 scholarships and go back to Division 2. Nicholls' championship year had brought publicity, rec- ognition and questions to the athletic system of the univer- sity. Many of these questions will be answered as it begins the defense of four titles under closer scrutiny. No longer will the Colonels be the sleeper waiting to surprise competition. The athletic program has put itself in the spotlight. lt has to carry its own ball from there. Following a championship year 143