As many of you know, Louisiana Tech joined forces with Shreveport-Bossier City in putting a competitive and attractive proposal together to host the 2015 Conference USA men’s and women’s basketball tournament.
With more than 12,000 alums living in the Shreveport-Bossier City metroplex, Louisiana Tech is committed to marketing its assets — both academically and athletically — to the area. Louisiana Tech needs Shreveport and Bossier City in order to continue its growth and solidify its stronghold as the premier higher education institute in north Louisiana.
From an athletic side, Louisiana Tech has a long history of playing some of its most high-profile games at Independence Stadium. Starting with the 40-year run of the old State Fair game against Northwestern State to more recent FBS match-ups against the likes of Texas A&M, Miami and Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech has made a concerted effort to embrace Shreveport-Bossier City and its population.
While we are proud to call Ruston our home and we remain committed to providing our local businesses, fans and student-body exciting game-day atmospheres for all of our sports, we also understand the importance and the benefits of the Shreveport-Bossier City market.
Shreveport and Bossier City provides us with a unique opportunity to utilize some outstanding off-campus facilities and entertainment opportunities for all of our fans.
With the support of both Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover and Bossier City Mayor Lorenz Walker, Louisiana Tech teamed up with the Shreveport-Bossier City Sports Commission, the CenturyLink Center and Centenary College in making the bid which was presented at the Conference USA spring meetings a few weeks ago in Destin, Florida.
Although Birmingham, Alabama was ultimately awarded the 2015 Conference USA Tournament, it wasn’t from a lack of effort or support by the local community and its leaders. While I want to publically congratulate UAB and Birmingham for earning the bid, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank a number of important people who played a role in our effort.
In addition to both Mayor Glover and Mayor Walker, I would like to thank Kelly Wells and Stacy Brown from the Shreveport-Bossier City Sports Commission; Brodie McMahon from the CenturyLink Center; Centenary College Athletics Director Rhonda Seagraves; local Shreveport natives and national media personalities Tim Brando and Terry Bradshaw; all of the local Shreveport and Bossier City media; as well as Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne.
It was through the efforts of these individuals as well as many others that paved the way for the possibility of Louisiana Tech and Shreveport-Bossier City serving as a future host for the Conference USA Tournament.
As the 2013-14 athletic season comes to a close, we already have our sights set on this fall as we begin our second season as a proud member of C-USA. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to purchase your season tickets to watch Coach Skip Holtz and the Bulldog football team in action in five home games at Joe Aillet Stadium. Call the Louisiana Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631 or email techtickets@latech.edu to purchase your tickets.
And remember … This is Bulldog Country.
Sincerely,
Tommy McClelland
Athletics Director, Louisiana Tech University
