The Nicholls Colonels are the 15 teams representing

Nicholls State University Nicholls State University is a public university in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Founded in 1948, Nicholls is part of the University of Louisiana System. Originally named Francis T. Nicholls Junior College, the university is named for Francis T. Nicholl ...

, a university in Louisiana, in intercollegiate athletics. The Colonels compete in the NCAA Division I and the Colonels football team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Colonels sports teams are members of the Southland Conference.

Nickname

The Nicholls State University official team nickname is the "Colonels". The nickname was chosen because the university was once a

ROTC The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC ( or )) is a group of college- and university-based officer-training programs for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces. Overview While ROTC graduate officers serve in all ...

dominated school and the highest rank in ROTC is a Colonel.

History

Conference affiliations

* From 1982–84, Nicholls (then athletically branded as "Nicholls State") was a provisional member of the Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC). :*Men's sports – Only baseball played TAAC conference games

Sports sponsored

Baseball

The Nicholls Colonels baseball team is the varsity intercollegiate baseball team of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The team is a member of the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first baseball team was fielded in 1960. The team plays its home games at 2,100-seat Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field and are coached by

Mike Silva Michael Silva is an American baseball coach and former catcher, who is the current head baseball coach of the Nicholls Colonels. Silva has been a baseball coach in the South Central United States since 2003, after playing three years of college ba ...

Men's basketball

The Nicholls Colonels men's basketball team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first men's basketball team was fielded during the 1958–59 season. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat

Stopher Gymnasium David R. Stopher Gymnasium or Stopher Gym is a 3,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States, on the campus Nicholls State University. It is named for David R. Stopher. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels men's and women' ...

and are coached by

Austin Claunch Austin Claunch (born November 17, 1989) is an American college basketball coach, and current head coach of the Nicholls Colonels men's basketball team. Playing career Claunch played four years at Emory, where he was a three-time First Team All- ...

Women's basketball

The Nicholls Colonels women's basketball team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first women's basketball team was fielded during the 1974–75 season. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat

and are coached by DoBee Plaisance.

Women's beach volleyball

The Nicholls Colonels women's beach volleyball team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. Nicholls launched its beach volleyball program in the 2019 season (2018–19 school year), and played its first season as an independent. The Colonels now compete in the Southland Conference, which added beach volleyball as an official conference sport for the 2020 season. The team is coached by Kallie Noble.

Cross country

The Nicholls Colonels cross country program represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The program includes separate men's and women's cross country teams, both of which compete in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The teams are coached by Stefanie Slekis.

Football

The Nicholls Colonels football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Nicholls State University located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Southland Conference. Nicholls' first football team was fielded in 1972. The team plays its home games at the 10,500 seat

Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels football team of the Southland Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The stadium is ...

in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The Colonels are coached by

Tim Rebowe Timothy J. Rebowe (born February 25, 1963) is an American football coach. He is head football coach at Nicholls State University, a position he has held since the 2015 season. Early life and playing career Rebowe from Norco, Louisiana is an alumn ...

Men's golf

The Nicholls Colonels men's golf team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The team plays their home tournaments at the LaTour Golf Club in Mathews, Louisiana and are currently led by head coach James Schilling.

Women's soccer

Nicholls Soccer Complex (Thibodaux, Louisiana)

The Nicholls Colonels women's soccer team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first soccer team was fielded in 1998. The team plays its home games at the 1,000-seat

Nicholls Soccer Complex The Nicholls Soccer Complex is a soccer facility located on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, United States. It serves as the home of the Nicholls Colonels women's soccer team. The stadium has a seating capacity of 1,000. In ...

through the 2021 season. The Colonels moved to the newly constructed multi-purpose field at the

Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex Thibodaux ( ) is a city in, and the parish seat of, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the northwestern part of the parish. The population was 15,948 at the 2020 United St ...

in 2022. The team is coached by Robert Podeyn.

Softball

The Nicholls Colonels softball team represents Nicholls State University in NCAA Division I

college softball College softball is softball as played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education, predominantly in the United States. College softball is normally played by women at the Intercollegiate level, whereas college baseball is nor ...

. The team participates in the Southland Conference. Nicholls first softball team was fielded in 1981. The team plays its home games at 500-seat Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park and are coached by Angel Santiago.

Men's tennis

The Nicholls Colonels men's tennis team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The team plays its home matches at the Colonel Tennis Complex and are coached by Greg Harkins. Colonels Tennis Complex (Thibodaux, Louisiana)

Colonels Tennis Complex (Thibodaux, Louisiana)

Women's tennis

The Nicholls Colonels women's tennis team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The team plays its home matches at the Colonel Tennis Complex and are coached by Greg Harkins.

Women's track and field

The Nicholls Colonels women's track and field program represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The program includes women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, both of which compete in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The teams are coached by Stefanie Slekis.

Women's volleyball

The Nicholls Colonels women's volleyball team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first volleyball team was fielded in 1975. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat

and are coached by Kallie Noble.

Former varsity sports

*Women's golf — Dropped in 2009 due to budget constraints *Men's track and field (indoor and outdoor) — Dropped in 2004 and replaced by men's tennis

Championships

Conference championships *Baseball
Regular Season: 1974, '76, '85
Tournament: 1984, '98 *Men's Basketball
Regular Season: 1976, '79, '95, '98, 2018, '21
Tournament: 1995, '98 *Women's Basketball
Tournament: 2018 *Football
1975, '84, 2005, '18, '19
Playoff appearances: 1986, '96, 2005, '17, '18, '19 *Softball
Regular Season: 1992, '94–'96, 2018
Tournament: 1996, '97

Athletic facilities

The following is a list of the athletic facilities for the Nicholls Colonels. It includes Nicholls' outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas, golf courses, running courses, and training and practice facilities. *

Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels football team of the Southland Conference in the

Football Championship Subdivision The NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA, is the second-highest level of college football in the United States, after the Football Bowl Subdivision. Sponsored by the National Collegiate Athleti ...

(FCS). The

stadium A stadium ( : stadiums or stadia) is a place or venue for (mostly) outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a tiered structure designed to allow spectators to stand o ...

is named in honor of former state representative John L. Guidry who was instrumental in the establishment of Francis T. Nicholls Junior College. The

playing surface Play is a range of Motivation#Incentive theories: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, intrinsically motivated activities done for recreational pleasure and enjoyment. Play is commonly associated with children and juvenile-level activities, but m ...

is named Manning Field after the

Manning family The Mannings are an American family from Mississippi, but residing in Louisiana, who gained fame via numerous members playing football (specifically the position of quarterback) and are considered to be a dynasty within the sport. Three member ...

( Peyton, Eli,

Cooper Cooper, Cooper's, Coopers and similar may refer to: * Cooper (profession), a maker of wooden casks and other staved vessels Arts and entertainment * Cooper (producers), alias of Dutch producers Klubbheads * Cooper (video game character), in ...

and

Archie Archie is a masculine given name, a diminutive of Archibald. It may refer to: People Given name or nickname *Archie Alexander (1888–1958), African-American mathematician, engineer and governor of the US Virgin Islands * Archie Blake (mathematici ...

) because the family holds the annual

Manning Passing Academy The Manning Passing Academy is a four-day American football clinic held annually at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Held in the summer, it is hosted by the Manning family (Archie, Cooper, Peyton, Eli) and several current and form ...

football camp at the facility. In 2021, Nicholls State University opened the Boucvalt Family Athletic Complex located at the south end-zone of John L. Guidry Stadium featuring upgraded locker and training rooms, field-level coach offices, and a 110-seat meeting room. The current playing surface is GeoGreen Replicated Grass. The stadium was officially dedicated on September 16, 1972. * Football Practice Fields
The football

practice Practice or practise may refer to: Education and learning * Practice (learning method), a method of learning by repetition * Phantom practice, phenomenon in which a person's abilities continue to improve, even without practicing * Practice-based ...

fields include three natural grass football practice fields located across Acadia Drive from

, the

Frank L. Barker Athletic Building The Nicholls Colonels are the 15 teams representing Nicholls State University, a university in Louisiana, in intercollegiate athletics. The Colonels compete in the NCAA Division I and the Colonels football team competes in the NCAA Division I Fo ...

and the Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility. Two of the fields face in a north-south configuration similar to Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium with a third facing in an east-west configuration. *

Stopher Gymnasium is a 3,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels men's and

women's A woman is an adult female human. Prior to adulthood, a female human is referred to as a girl (a female child or adolescent). The plural ''women'' is sometimes used in certain phrases such as "women's rights" to denote female humans regardl ...

basketball teams and

volleyball team. It opened in 1970. * Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field
Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field is a baseball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels baseball team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 2,100. * Colonel Tennis Complex
The Colonel Tennis Complex is a tennis venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels men's and

tennis teams of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. *

LaTour Golf Club The Nicholls Colonels are the 15 teams representing Nicholls State University, a university in Louisiana, in intercollegiate athletics. The Colonels compete in the NCAA Division I and the Colonels football team competes in the NCAA Division ...

The LaTour Golf Club located in Mathews, Louisiana, is the home golf course of the

Nicholls Colonels men's golf The Nicholls Colonels are the 15 teams representing Nicholls State University, a university in Louisiana, in intercollegiate athletics. The Colonels compete in the NCAA Division I and the Colonels football team competes in the NCAA Division I Fo ...

team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. It is an 18-hole, 7,170 yard, 72 par course and includes an on-site practice facility. * Nicholls Farm
Nicholls Farm is the home course for the Nicholls Colonels cross country teams in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is a 277-acre farm located three miles south of Nicholls’ campus. * Nicholls Golf Complex
The Nicholls Golf Complex is the driving range complex located on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is a practice venue for the

team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. *

The Nicholls Soccer Complex is a

soccer Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels women's soccer team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 1,000. * Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park
Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park is a softball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the

Nicholls Colonels softball The Nicholls Colonels softball team represents Nicholls State University in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Southland Conference. Nicholls' first softball team was fielded in 1981. The team plays its home games at ...

team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 500. *

The Frank L. Barker Athletic Building or Barker Hall is the

athletic administration Sport management is the field of business dealing with sports and recreation. Sports management involves any combination of skills that correspond with planning, organizing, directing, controlling, budgeting, leading, or evaluating of any organiz ...

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

and baseball building for the Nicholls Colonels. The building also houses the Nicholls Colonels Athletics

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

. * Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility
The Nicholls Colonels

strength Strength may refer to: Physical strength *Physical strength, as in people or animals *Hysterical strength, extreme strength occurring when people are in life-and-death situations *Superhuman strength, great physical strength far above human ca ...

and

conditioning Conditioning may refer to: Science, computing, and technology * Air conditioning, the removal of heat from indoor air for thermal comfort ** Automobile air conditioning, air conditioning in a vehicle ** Ice storage air conditioning, air condition ...

facility is located inside the Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility or Leonard C. Chabert Hall. It includes the weight room and nutrition center for Nicholls athletics.

Former athletic facilities

Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild The Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild is an 18-hole championship public golf course in the southern United States, located outside of Patterson, Louisiana in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is a par-72 course from the gator tees. Course history The ...

— Men's golf (2015–2018) *

Shaver Gymnasium The Nicholls Colonels men's basketball team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana in the sport of basketball. The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference. Nicholls' first men's basketball team was f ...

— Men's basketball (1958–1969)

Nicholls Colonels traditions

Nicholls State University Alma Mater

The name of the "official" Alma Mater for Nicholls State University is "Nicholls State University Alma Mater."

Nicholls Colonels Fight Song

The name of the "official" fight song for Nicholls State University is "Nicholls Colonels Fight Song."

Pride of Nicholls Marching Band

The "Pride of Nicholls" Marching Band is the marching band which represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Colonel Tillou

"Colonel Tillou" is the official athletics mascot for Nicholls State University. The modern version of Col. Tillou wears a bright red uniform topped off with a contemporary-style military officer's cap.

Nicholls School Colors

The "official" school colors for Nicholls are red and gray.

Nicholls Colonelettes and Colorguard

The Nicholls Colonelettes are the Nicholls dance team. This group performs at all home football games, one away football game, and all home basketball games. They participate in all pep rallies. The Nicholls Colorguard performs at all home football games.

Nicholls Cheerleaders

The Nicholls Cheerleaders are the co-ed cheerleading squad for the Nicholls Colonels. The cheerleaders perform at football games, basketball games and pep rallies in addition to a number of public relations and charitable events each year.

Rivalries

The Nicholls sports teams maintain a conference rivalry with the Southeastern Louisiana sports teams, but the main rivalry is in football where the teams compete in the annual River Bell Classic. The Nicholls sports teams also compete against conference rival

Northwestern State Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the Univer ...

and in football the teams play in the annual NSU Challenge.

Nicholls State University Athletics Hall of Fame

Nicholls State Colonels-Frank L Barker Athletic Building

The purpose of the Nicholls State University Athletics Hall of Fame is to strengthen and perpetuate athletic tradition at the university. Members in the Athletics Hall of Fame shall consist only of those outstanding persons whose dedication and performance merit the great honors that the University can bestow. The Hall of Fame is located on the campus of Nicholls State University in the

Colonel Athletic Association

The Colonel Athletic Association is the fundraising organization for the Nicholls State University athletics department. The athletic association helps to provide support to Nicholls' student-athletes and also focuses on fundraising activities for facility enhancements and operating expenses.

Athletic directors

''# denotes interim athletic director''

Broadcast information

Nicholls Colonels Radio Network

The Nicholls Colonels Radio Network is the radio network of the Nicholls Colonels men's and women's sports teams. It consists of several radio stations throughout the state of Louisiana. The list of participating stations are: *

KLRZ KLRZ is a sports radio station. Licensed to Larose, Louisiana, KLRZ targets both New Orleans and the Tri-Parishes area at 100.3 MHz with an ERP of 89 kW at . The station, which signed on the air in 1992, is now owned by Coastal Broadca ...

100.3 FM in Larose, Louisiana (flagship) *

KLEB KLEB (1600 AM "The Rajun' Cajun") is a radio station in Golden Meadow, Louisiana, broadcasting a mix of swamp pop and traditional cajun music. In September 2019, it began to simulcast on K274DE 102.7 MHz, which broadcasts from the KLRZ to ...

1600 AM in Golden Meadow, Louisiana * KNSU 91.5 FM in Thibodaux, Louisiana

Streaming services

Nicholls Colonels games can be streamed online for free at Colonels All-Access. It is a video subscription service available through the Nicholls athletics department where viewers can watch a live stream of all non-televised home football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and volleyball events.

References

External links

* {{Louisiana Sports Sports teams in Thibodaux, Louisiana