Nicholls Colonels

The Nicholls Colonels are the 15 teams representing Nicholls State University, a university in Louisiana, in intercollegiate athletics.^[2] 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.^[2]

Nicholls Colonels
University	Nicholls State University
Conference	Southland Conference
NCAA	Division I (FCS)
Athletic director	Jonathan Terrell
Location	Thibodaux, Louisiana
Varsity teams	15
Football stadium	Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium
Basketball arena	Stopher Gymnasium
Baseball stadium	Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field
Softball stadium	Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park
Soccer stadium	Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex
Other venues	Colonel Tennis Complex LaTour Golf Club Nicholls Farm
Mascot	Colonel Tillou
Nickname	Colonels
Fight song	Nicholls State Colonels Fight Song
Colors	Red and gray[1]
Website	geauxcolonels.com

Nickname

The Nicholls State University official team nickname is the "Colonels".^[3] The nickname was chosen because the university was once a ROTC dominated school and the highest rank in ROTC is a Colonel.^[3]

History

Conference affiliations

Years	Conference	Classification
1958–1965	Independent	NCAA College Division
1965–1971	Gulf States Conference	NCAA College Division
1971–1973	Gulf South Conference	NCAA College Division
1973–1979	Gulf South Conference	NCAA Division II
1979–1980	Independent	NCAA Division II
1980–1984 *(1982–1984)	Independent (Trans America Athletic Conference)	NCAA Division I
1984–1987	Gulf Star Conference	NCAA Division I
1987–1991	Independent	NCAA Division I
1991–present	Southland Conference	NCAA Division I

* 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^[4][5][6]

Sports sponsored

Men's sports	Women's sports
Baseball	Basketball
Basketball	Beach volleyball
Cross country	Cross country
Football	Soccer
Golf	Softball
Tennis	Tennis
	Track and field†
	Volleyball
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor.

Baseball

Main article: Nicholls Colonels baseball

The 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.^[7][8] 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 Brent Haring.

Men's basketball

Main article: Nicholls Colonels men's basketball

The 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.^[9] 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 and are coached by Tevon Saddler.

Women's basketball

Main article: Nicholls Colonels women's basketball

Th 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.^[10] Nicholls' first women's basketball team was fielded during the 1974–75 season. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gymnasium and are coached by Justin Payne.

Women's beach volleyball

The team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States.^[11] 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.^[12] The team plays its home matches at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex and the team is coached by Jonea Rima.^[13]

Cross country

Main article: Nicholls Colonels cross country

The 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.^[14] The teams are coached by Stefanie Slekis.^[15]

Football

Main article: Nicholls Colonels football

The 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 in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The Colonels are coached by Tommy Rybacki.^[16]

Men's golf

The 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.^[17] The team plays their home tournaments at the LaTour Golf Club in Mathews, Louisiana^[18] and are currently led by head coach James Schilling.^[19]

Women's soccer

Main article: Nicholls Colonels women's soccer

The women's 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.^[20] Nicholls' first soccer team was fielded in 1998. The team plays its home games at the 1,000-seat Nicholls Soccer Complex through the 2021 season. The Colonels moved to the newly constructed multi-purpose field at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex in 2022.^[21] The team is coached by Kristy Helmers. ^[22]

Softball

Main article: Nicholls Colonels softball

The softball 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 Ron Frost.

Tennis

The men's tennis currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Both men's and women's team play their home matches at the Colonel Tennis Complex and are coached by Greg Harkins.

Women's track and field

Main article: Nicholls Colonels women's track and field

The women's track and field 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.^[23] The teams are coached by Stefanie Slekis.^[15]

Women's volleyball

Main article: Nicholls Colonels women's volleyball

The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I.^[24] Nicholls' first volleyball team was fielded in 1975. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gymnasium and are coached by Jonea Rima.

Former varsity sports

• Women's golf — Dropped in 2009 due to budget constraints^[25][26]
• Men's track and field (indoor and outdoor) — Dropped in 2004 and replaced by men's tennis^[25]

Championships

Conference championships

Sport	Regular season titles	Tournament titles
Baseball	1974, 1976, 1985, 2023	1984, 1998, 2023, 2024
Men's basketball	1976, 1979, 1995, 1998, 2018, 2021	1995, 1998
Women's basketball	–	2018
Football [n 1]	1975, 1984, 2005, 2018, 2019, 2023	–
Softball	1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2018	1996, 1997

Notes

1. Football achievements also include playoff appearances in 1986, 1996, 2005, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023

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.

Current venues

• 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.^[27] It is home to the Nicholls Colonels football team of the Southland Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The stadium 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 is named Manning Field after the Manning family (Peyton, Eli, Cooper and Archie) because the family holds the annual Manning Passing Academy football camp at the facility.^[28] 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.^[29] The current playing surface is GeoGreen Replicated Grass.^[30] The stadium was officially dedicated on September 16, 1972.
• Football Practice Fields
  The football practice fields include three natural grass football practice fields located across Acadia Drive from Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium, the Frank L. Barker Athletic Building and the Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility.^[31] 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
  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 basketball teams and women's volleyball team. It opened in 1970.^[32]
• Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field
  Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field is a baseball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana.^[33] It is home to the Nicholls Colonels baseball team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference.^[34] The venue has a capacity of 2,100.
• Colonel Tennis Complex
  The Colonel Tennis Complex is a tennis venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana.^[35][36] It is home to the Nicholls Colonels men's and women's tennis teams of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference.
• LaTour Golf Club
  The LaTour Golf Club located in Mathews, Louisiana, is the home golf course of the Nicholls Colonels men's golf team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference.^[18] 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.^[37] It is a 277-acre farm located three miles south of Nicholls’ campus.^[38]
• Nicholls Golf Complex
  The Nicholls Golf Complex is the driving range complex located on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.^[39] It is a practice venue for the Nicholls Colonels men's golf team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference.
• Nicholls Soccer Complex
  The Nicholls Soccer Complex is a soccer venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana.^[40] 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.^[41] It is home to the Nicholls Colonels softball team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 500.
• Frank L. Barker Athletic Building
  The Frank L. Barker Athletic Building or Barker Hall is the athletic administration, football and baseball building for the Nicholls Colonels.^[42] The building also houses the Nicholls Colonels Athletics Hall of Fame.
• Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility
  The Nicholls Colonels strength and conditioning 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.^[42]

Former venues

• Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild — Men's golf (2015–2018)
• Shaver Gymnasium — Men's basketball (1958–1969)

Gallery

• 
  Manning Field (football)
• 
  Swanner Field (baseball)
• 
  Colonel Tennis Complex
• 
  Ben Meyer Diamond (softball)
• 
  Stopher Gymnasium
• 
  Nicholls Soccer Complex
• 
  Stopher Gymnasium
• 
  Frank L. Barker Athletic Building

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."^[43]

Nicholls Colonels Fight Song

The name of the "official" fight song for Nicholls State University is "Nicholls Colonels Fight Song."^[44]

Pride of Nicholls Marching Band

Main article: Pride of Nicholls

The "Pride of Nicholls" Marching Band is the marching band which represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.^[45]

Colonel Tillou

Main article: Colonel Tillou

"Colonel Tillou" is the official athletics mascot for Nicholls State University.^[46] 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.^[47]

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.^[48]

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.^[49]

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.^[50] The Nicholls sports teams also compete against conference rival Northwestern State and in football the teams play in the annual NSU Challenge.^[51]

Nicholls State University Athletics Hall of Fame

The purpose of the Nicholls State University Athletics Hall of Fame is to strengthen and perpetuate athletic tradition at the university.^[52] 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.^[52]

The Hall of Fame is located on the campus of Nicholls State University in the Frank L. Barker Athletic Building.

Colonel Athletic Association

The Colonel Athletic Association is the fundraising organization for the Nicholls State University athletics department.^[53] The athletic association helps to provide support to Nicholls' student-athletes and also focuses on fundraising activities for facility enhancements and operating expenses.^[53]

Athletic directors

Director	Years served
Morris Osburn	1958–1960
James Hall	1960–1963
Raymond Didier	1963–1978
Don Landry	1978–1987
Phil Greco	1987–1993
Mike Knight	1993–1998
Stan Williamson	1998–2000
Rob Bernardi	2000–2016
Matt Roan	2016–2020
Jonathan Terrell	2020–present

# 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.^[54] It consists of several radio stations throughout the state of Louisiana.

The list of participating stations are:^[54]

• KLRZ 100.3 FM in Larose, Louisiana (flagship)
• KLEB 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.^[54]

See also

• List of NCAA Division I institutions

References

1. "Nicholls Colors – Nicholls Branding Guide". Retrieved April 2, 2016.
2. "Nicholls Colonels: Nicholls State University Athletics". geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
3. "About Nicholls: Fast Facts". nicholls.edu. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
4. "2008–09 Nicholls State men's basketball media guide" (PDF). nicholls.sidearmsports.com. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
5. "Nicholls State Colonels Men's Basketball School History". sports-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
6. "2013 Nicholls State baseball media guide" (PDF). geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
7. "Table of Contents ? Quick Facts : 2013 Schedule" (PDF). Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
8. "Didier shaped Nicholls athletics, many lives". Webcitations.org. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
9. "2012-2013 Nicholls Colonels Media Guide" (PDF). Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
10. "The Official Site of Nicholls State University Athletics". geauxcolonels.com.
11. "Colonel Beach Volleyball makes program debut this weekend". geauxcolonels.com. February 28, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
12. "Southland Conference Adds Beach Volleyball to Championship Sports Offerings" (Press release). Southland Conference. August 14, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
13. "Head Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Coach". Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
14. "The Official Site of Nicholls State University Athletics". geauxcolonels.com.
15. "Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach". Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
16. "Tim Rebowe named Colonels coach". ESPN. November 21, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
17. "Nicholls State University Athletics - Story Archives". Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
18. "LaTour Golf Club". geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
19. "Nicholls State University Athletics - 2013-14 Men's Golf Coaching Staff". Geauxcolonels.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
20. "2013 Nicholls Women's Soccer Quick Facts" (PDF). Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
21. "Thibodaux Regional Health System and Nicholls State University Expand Partnership to Provide Student-Athletes with State-of-the-Art Sports Facilities". Nicholls State University. September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
22. "Podeyn resigns as Nicholls Women's Soccer head coach". Nicholls Athletics. March 19, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
23. "The Official Site of Nicholls State University Athletics". geauxcolonels.com.
24. "2012 Nicholls Volleyball Quick Facts" (PDF). Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
25. "Nicholls State dropping women's golf". houmatoday.com. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
26. "Nicholls hosting men's golf tournament at The Atchafalaya at Idlewild". dailycomet.com. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
27. "Nicholls State Colonels football media guide" (PDF). Nicholls State University Athletics. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
28. "Football field's namesake brings academy to campus". The Nicholls Worth. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
29. "'This is the new home of Colonels football': Nicholls opens new athletic complex". Retrieved August 11, 2021.
30. "Guidry Stadium field turf installation underway". geauxcolonels.com. May 3, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
31. "Nicholls Map". Retrieved June 14, 2019.
32. "2012-13 Nicholls Colonels Media Guide" (PDF). Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
33. "Nicholls Baseball Quick Facts" (PDF). Nicholls State Office of Media Relations for Athletics. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
34. "Nicholls Athletics Facilities Photo Gallery". Geaux Colonels. Nicholls State University Athletic Department. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
35. "Lamar vs Nicholls (4/13/2013)". geauxcolonels.com.
36. "Sam Houston State vs Nicholls (3/29/2013)". geauxcolonels.com.
37. "Colonels set to host Nicholls XC Invitational". geauxcolonels.com. September 20, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
38. "Growing the Future: Port of South Louisiana Partners with Nicholls". nicholls.edu. September 11, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
39. "Map of Nichols State University Campus" (PDF). Nicholls.edu. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
40. "Nicholls Soccer Quick Facts" (PDF). geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
41. "2013 Nicholls Softball Media Guide" (PDF). Geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
42. "Nicholls receives gift for Barker Hall Expansion, Football Operations Center". crescentcitysports.com. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
43. "History and Traditions". nicholls.edu. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
44. "Nicholls State Colonels School Songs Lyrics". fightmusic.com. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
45. "The Pride of Nicholls Marching Band". nicholls.edu. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
46. "Colonel Tillou". Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
47. "Nicholls Colors". nicholls.edu. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
48. achamberlain. "Nicholls Colonelettes and Colorguard". nicholls.edu.
49. mmcelroy. "Nicholls State University Cheerleading". nicholls.edu.
50. Beck, Stan; Wilkinson, Jack (September 19, 2013). College Sports Traditions [Picking Up Butch, Silent Night, and Hundreds of Others]. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 315. ISBN 978-0810891210. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
51. "Rivalry trophy on the line in road test at Northwestern State". geauxcolonels.com. October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
52. "Nicholls State University Athletics Hall of Fame". geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
53. "Colonel Athletic Association". geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
54. "How to Listen to Nicholls Colonels Radio Network Streaming Live Online". gotknowhow.com. August 28, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2019.

External links

• Official website