Inside this August 2010 edition of the L Club Newsletter:

L Club Welcome

Hello to everyone!

I am E. J. Lee Ok, Associate Head Coach for Women’s Basketball. I am your new L-Club President and I look forward to working with you.

It is the beginning of a new sports year and new attitudes! Changes have taken place with several of our ULM programs. We want to welcome aboard Coach Keith Richard, Men’s Head Basketball Coach and Ernest Vasquez, Women’s Head Volleyball Coach.

Let’s all take part in the L-Club activities, starting with our membership renewal which will be coming your way soon. Please view our L-Club Web site, linked from both the Alumni (www.ulm.edu/alumni) and the Warhawks' home page (www.ulmwarhawks.com), for more great L-Club information.

Your financial support and attendance ensure our continued success. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions, please contact me.

E. J. Lee Ok

E. J. Lee Ok
L-Club President
(318) 342-5409
ok@ulm.edu





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All About YOU

Bob Andersonby Bob Anderson

As professional (and college) football teams begin fall practice, ULM continues to have a presence in the National Football League coaching ranks.

Former ULM players and/or coaches currently with NFL teams are Doug Pederson (QB, 1987-90) and Barry Rubin (strength coach) with the Philadelphia Eagles, former ULM center (1983-85) and ex-Tulane head coach Chris Scelfo is with the Atlanta Falcons and Tyke Tolbert (Zaunbrecher staff) with the Carolina Panthers.

Former ULM football player and author Ernest Hill conducted a book writing and publishing seminar at the Holiday Inn in Monroe July 24-25.

Ex-basketball all-American Stuart Toms was inducted into the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame in Jonesboro July 24. Toms, now a Baptist minister and a graduate of Quitman High School, was an all-conference and all-American point guard at ULM in 1963. He later was a state championship basketball coach and state “Coach of the Year” at Quitman High. He was inducted into the ULM Hall of Fame in 1986 and is also a member of the halls of fame for Louisiana coaches and administrators.

Sadly, most of our news this issue concerns the death of three former ULM football figures.

Marjorie Malone, the widow of legendary Northeast coach Jim Malone, died June 20 in Dallas at the age of 96. Mrs. Malone was more than just the wife of a football coach—he was a second Mom to her husband’s players, Jim’s driver on scouting trips and a long-time fan and familiar figure at campus events.

She was also the first Homecoming Queen at Northeast and in 2003 was presented with a Lifetime Service Award by the University. In 2008, the Flight Path office in the Clarke M. Williams Student Success Center was dedicated in her name.

She is survived by daughter Boofie Beakey of Dallas, son-in-law Jim Beakey and four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren. She was buried in her hometown of Pollack. Remembrances may be shared with the Jim Malone Memorial Scholarship at ULM.

One of the greatest all-around athletes ever to attend ULM, Alton Thomas, also died this summer. Thomas, of Shreveport, was a star in both football and baseball and made all-conference in both sports. He was twice all-Gulf States Conference in football, first as a defensive back in 1965 and then as a running back in 1966. An outfielder and former conference base stealing champion, Thomas made the all-GSC baseball team four times, 1963-65.

Another former Indian football player, Danny Dumars, died at age 51 in Alexandria on April 15. He had been a coach for the Rapides Parish School System for 15 years. Danny lettered at defensive tackle at NLU in 1979-80 and was originally from Natchitoches. Among his survivors is brother David Dumars, a former defensive back at NLU.



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Vining, Folston, Lindstrom Make ULM Hall of Fame

Mike ViningA record-breaking coach and all-Americans in football and tennis were added to the ULM Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies on campus April 24.

The record-breaking coach is Mike Vining, who later this year was also inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches. Already the all-time top coaching winner in the Southland Conference, Vining joined an elite number of Louisiana men’s basketball coaches when he went over the 400-victory milestone late in his 24-year ULM tenure.

James Folston is ULM’s all-time sack leader and was a first-team all-American in 1993 under Coach Dave Roberts. Maria Lindstrom became ULM’s second women’s tennis all-American in 1985 and came from her native Sweden to attend the Hall of Fame ceremonies.

The Hall of Fame ceremonies were held in the ULM Conference Center in the Library and were sponsored by the ULM L Club, the Athletic Foundation and the Alumni Association. The addition of the three new members brings the number of Hall of Famers to 120.

James FolstonVining has spent most of his adult life at ULM.

From Goodwill in West Carroll Parish, he played both basketball and baseball at the University from 1964-67 and was an all-Gulf States Conference pitcher for the baseball team. After receiving his bachelor’s degree he worked as a graduate assistant coach in basketball and then served as an Army officer in Vietnam. He then coached Bastrop High’s basketball team to a state championship before becoming a ULM assistant under Coach Lenny Fant and Benny Hollis and then head coach in 1982.

He was an immediate success, guiding ULM to the Trans-America Conference (now Atlantic Sun) Tournament championship in his first season and then to the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth and national TV appearance. Four years later he led the then-Indians to the first of eight Southland Conference championships. In all, Vining-coached teams won 401 games against 303 defeats and went to seven NCAA Tournaments and one NIT. Vining won nine Coach of the Year awards.

Maria LindstromFolston, from Cocoa, Fla., had 27 quarterback sacks during his four years on the ULM football team and was twice an all-Southland Conference and all-Louisiana selection. After his senior season in 1993, he was named to all-America first teams selected by the Associated Press and Football Gazette and played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl.

After graduating with a Criminal Justice degree, Folston was a second-round National Football League draft selection by the Los Angeles Raiders and played eight seasons in the NFL with the Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.

Lindstrom played only two seasons (1984 and 1985) with the ULM tennis team but collected numerous honors during that brief period, topped by her all-America selection by the NCAA. She won two Southland Conference No. 1 singles championships and shared in two SLC doubles crowns. Her 61 season singles victories in 1984-85 are the most ever by a ULM player.

The tall Swede is currently No. 8 in career singles victories despite playing only two seasons with a record of 92-16. She ranks No. 3 in season doubles percentage with a 24-5 mark in the 83-84 season with Pernilla Hallberg and is fifth with a 28-8 record with Lillemore Hadberg in 84-85.

Folston’s coach, Dave Roberts, presented him for Hall of Fame membership in the April 24 ceremonies while former ULM President Dr. Dwight Vines presented Lindstrom and ex-basketball trainer and current L Club director Robert Williamson presented Coach Vining.





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Warhawks Strong at Offensive Skill Positions

After losing 13 starters from the 6-6 2009 team, nobody is picking ULM to win the Sun Belt Conference title this year, but the Warhawks have stars at the offensive skill positions and the potential to spring some upsets and may do even more damage in Coach Todd Berry’s first year as head coach.

Todd Berry
Berry

Berry, named the Warhawks’ 14th head coach on Dec. 16, promptly made an excellent first impression by retaining Troy Reffett as defensive coordinator and bringing back popular Steve Farmer as offensive chief. Then, despite a late start, he and his assistants landed a recruiting class loaded with what ULM needed most—plenty of offensive and defensive linemen. He and his aides are doing well on the recruiting trail this year also, having obtained the most verbal commitments (8) of any SBC program through mid-August.

In his first year on the job last season, Reffett and his new 3-3-5 defense was first in the SBC at stopping the run and No. 2 in overall defense. Farmer, who played under Berry at Illinois State, was a member of the ULM staff for five years—as offensive coordinator the last two—before returning to his alma mater for the 2009 campaign.

Berry faces a big rebuilding job this fall since ULM’s personnel losses were heavy in both quantity and quality. Six starters are gone from 2009’s offensive unit and even more, seven, from defense along with four-year punter Scott Love.

The losses included first team all-conference players WR LaGregory Sapp, SBC Defensive Player of the Year LB Cardia Jackson, league sack leader Aaron Morgan and SBC all-time interception leader Greg James. Also gone are second-team all-SBC safety James Truxillo and two all-Louisiana second team offensive linemen, Mitch Doyle and Brett Thompson.

“We lost lots of starters, especially on defense,” says Berry, “so we must grow up in a hurry.”

Making the reclamation job easier, though, is the return of three stars at the offensive skill positions—running back Frank Goodin, quarterback Trey Revell and speedy wide receiver Luther Ambrose—plus a big defensive playmaker, DE Troy Evans, who was No. 5 in sacks in the SBC last fall with 6.5 for 50 yards in losses.

Goodin (5-9, 203), a two-year starter from West Monroe, is on schedule to become ULM’s all-time rushing leader this fall after ranking No. 3 in conference rushing in 2009 with 1,126 yards and No. 2 in touchdowns with 13. He needs only eight scores and 873 yards to become ULM’s career leader in those departments.

“Frank is primed to have an excellent senior season,” says Coach Berry, “and he’s just one of a strong group of running backs.”

ULM also has veteran Rodney Lovett (5-9, 202), the top reserve at RB for the past two years, along with redshirt freshmen Jyruss Edwards (6-0, 178), Isaiah Newsome (5-11, 200) and Monterell Washington (5-11, 193) along with sophomore Carl Elie (5-10, 197). Newsome ran for 158 yards and a 7.2 average against Texas Southern last fall before missing the rest of the year with an injury.

ULM is loaded at quarterback, too, so loaded that Revell came out of spring practice No. 2 on the depth chart behind redshirt frosh Kolton Browning (6-1, 198). The most heralded QB recruit at ULM since former Parade All-American Wendal Lowrey signed with what was then Northeast Louisiana University in 1991, Browning was rated the 71st best prep quarterback in the country after the 2008 season in which he gained more yards per game (401) than any prep player in Texas, regardless of classification. From Mabank High School in east Texas, Browning redshirted last fall and then was sensational in spring practice where he avoided turnovers and “moved the team every time he was in,” according to Berry.

Revell was no slouch himself as the junior starter for ULM last year, ranking No. 4 in the SBC in pass efficiency with 121 completions in 210 throws for 57.6 % and 1,739 yards and 12 TDs. He was also the team’s second leading rusher with 354 yards and five scores.

ULM also has sophomore Cody Wells (5-11, 192), who started the Kentucky and Troy games last year after Revell suffered the fracture of the thumb on his throwing hand in the win over Arkansas State. Wells completed 64 of 115 passes for 762 yards and six TDs.

No matter who the quarterback is, his favorite target this fall will be Ambrose, who is maybe the fastest college football player in the country. The junior from St. James, La., was a part-time starter last year and is the top returning receiver with 34 catches for 455 yards and four touchdowns, the longest a 75-yard grab against No. 2 Texas. He was the No. 3 ULM rusher with 334 yards and an 8.9-yard average. He led the Warhawks with a 21.9 average on kick returns and returned eight punts for a 6.1-yard average. After football season, he was the SBC 100-meters champ and third in the NCAA meet.

In addition to Sapp and flanker J.J. McCoy, No. 2 receiver Darrell McNeal also completed his eligibility so there will be new starters at the other WR positions. The heirs-apparent are 6-1, 190-lb. junior Anthony McCall and Tim Taylor (5-9, 177), also a junior.

“I like our receivers an awful lot,” says Berry. “They’re young but they have the chance to be playmakers for us. We certainly must get the ball to Ambrose as often as possible.”

McCall caught only seven passes for 71 yards as a reserve but had some big catches as a freshman starter in 2008 before Sapp returned from a year of ineligibility to reclaim the job. Taylor had five catches for 43 yards last year. Other wide receivers in the mix are soph Brent Leonard (6-1, 180), who averaged 15.3 yards on his three receptions in ’09, junior Julian Griffin (6-2, 198), sophomore Zarrell Sanders (5-11, 173) and redshirt freshmen Tavarese Maye (5-11, 169), Todd Muse (5-6, 169), Tristen Warren (6-0, 200) and Madison Tharp (5-11, 207).

There is experience at the other receiver position, tight end, with both Keavon Milton (6-4, 267) and Alvin Jordan (6-2, 252) returning. Jordan was the starter last fall and caught 24 balls for 250 yards but Milton came out of spring No. 1 at the position. He was utilized mainly as a blocker last year and caught only two passes, but both were for touchdowns.

ULM’s 2010 outlook is most problematic if it’s what’s up front that counts. There are only two returning starters in the offensive line (OT Justin Roberts and OG Jonathan Gill) and only one in the defensive line (Evans).

“We must grow up in a hurry this year,” says Coach Berry. “We must have help from freshmen at just about all positions, especially in the offensive line. “

The Warhawks’ pre-season depth chart has new players at all the second team positions up front and at one of the starting slots. That’s at center where junior college transfer Ryan McCaul (6-5, 299) is the main man. Fortunately, he was rated as perhaps the best line performer in spring practice by the coaching staff.

The other probable starters up front in addition to Roberts (6-4, 304) and Gill (6-3, 292) are junior RT Anthony Montgomery (6-4, 312) and senior Andrew Stout (6-2, 285), both backups last year. Juco Jordan Karriman (6-5. 288) was here for spring practice and is listed as the second teamer at both guard positions while another JC product, Patrick Dvoracek, who won’t show up until August, is listed second at the two tackle positions.

In the defensive line, Evans (6-2, 263) is a returning force after making the two most heralded tackles of 2009— consecutive sacks inside the ULM 20—to preserve the televised victory over Arkansas State. He, however, is still recovering from a spring practice injury and was last to report for fall drills. On the other end will be converted linebacker Ken Dorsey (6-2, 270). The backups will be veteran Jordan Landry (6-2, 219), a good pass rusher, and redshirt freshman Emmanuel Jefferies (6-2, 253), who added 23 pounds this spring after moving from tight end.

Berry says his linebacker corps has “perhaps the most strength of our defensive positions.” The speedy group is led by returning starter Theo Smith (5-11, 215), who was sixth on the team in tackles last year with 37-20—57. The other spring starters were junior Jason Edwards (5-11, 237), who had 19 total tackles last year, and soph DaCorris Ford (6-1, 219), who had 11. The backups out of spring practice were converted safety Troy Giddens (6-0, 218), Cameron Blakes (6-1, 212) and C.C. Carpenter (5-11, 225).

Playing the “Hawk” position, a hybrid between linebacker and safety, will be senior Alex Ibe (6-2, 216), who had 23 tackles as a 2010 reserve, with junior Shaq Belson (5-9, 228) behind him. The safety starters should be returning starter Darius Prelow (6-0, 207), the top returning tackler with 62 stops, and sophomore Kairi Usher (5-9, 186).

Nate Brown (5-9, 178), who had the most interceptions among the returning starters with two, and Robert Nelson (5-10, 159) will be the cornerbacks, backed up by converted WR Otis Peterson (5-11, 158). Nelson, a sophomore, came to ULM on a football scholarship but also played some basketball last winter.

Junior Radi Jabour returns to handle the place kicking after making 12 of 20 field goal attempts last year, while there will be a new punter, probably Aaron Munoz , who doubles as a wide receiver. Ambrose is expected to be the primary kick and punt returner with help from Maye.





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EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK: ULM Basketball Back to its Roots

Bob Anderson

By Bob Anderson

With the naming of Keith Richard as head basketball coach earlier this year, ULM men’s basketball has returned to its roots.

Eighty-five percent of the 886 victories won by Warhawk-Indian teams over the years, 89 percent of the 39 winning seasons, all of the 14 conference or district championships, and all of the eight NCAA or National Invitation Tournament invitations earned by the University of Louisiana at Monroe were achieved by teams coached by three men—Lenny Fant, Benny Hollis and Mike Vining.

Keith Richard
Richard

Keith Richard played for and coached under all three of those men. In other words, he has a strong connection to the men and the accomplishments that have made ULM-Northeast one of the top 100 men’s basketball programs in the country. That fact, plus the fact that he has already been a successful head coach, is why ULM fans are more excited about basketball than they have been in many years and why most of us think the program is back on the way up.

The improvement is not likely to show up next winter because the Warhawk cupboard is pretty bare. The roster has been ravaged by academic problems and desertions. Recruiting got a late start because of the coaching change and Richard did not have a full field of possible recruits to pick from, although he seems to have done pretty well under the circumstances.

It won’t be easy to start a string of winning seasons this year.

But the wins will come. ULM doesn’t have a lot going for it in basketball right now except Richard and a great winning tradition. That tradition hasn’t been emphasized enough in recent years but Richard is the man who can use it to the fullest because he’s been there and done that.

I can’t wait for the first tipoff. Play Ball!!



You don’t get new coaches in your two top sports at the same time too often. The last time it happened at ULM was in 1981 when Pat Collins took over as football coach and Vining was promoted to the top job in basketball.
As every ULM fan knows, both became big, big winners.

Todd Berry
Berry

The outlook in 2010 is not nearly as bright as it was in ’81 because money is tight and the competition in the Sun Belt Conference is tougher than it was in the Southland. That’s especially true in football since we’re playing in the top division now and not 1-AA.

But we have two attractive new coaches, both with ULM experience. Todd Berry has assembled a good staff and recorded some successes on the recruiting field. Keith Richard has done the same and has the added advantage of having worked in this part of the country for many years at ULM, Louisiana Tech and LSU.

Both of our coaches deserve the full support of all ULM-Northeast fans, especially our former athletes. This could be “The Start of Something Big” all over again.




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ULM Athletic Foundation offers new membership programs

The ULM Athletic FoundationJoin the ULM Athletic Foundation and help ULM's student-athletes while enjoying the many benefits of membership. It's easy to join or update your membership.

Visit www.gowarhawks.net to join or update your memberships or contact Dan O’Dowd, Executive Director of the ULM Athletic Foundation at 318-342-5428 or odowd@ulm.edu.




The ULM Athletic Foundation 'Young Grad' ProgramThe "Young Grad" program is for any ULM alum who has graduated in the last five (5) years and is an excellant way for young alumni to support ULM athletics at an entry level. Membership is $50.00 per year and includes:

• Warhawk Frequent Flyer Pass (all sport plan – general admission seating)
• Invitation to Annual Kick-Off Party
• Preferred football parking permit
• Athletic Foundation Car Decal


The ULM Athletic Foundation Jr. Warhawk PorgramThe "Jr. Warhawk" program is a special membership for Warhawk fans age 12 and younger! Membership is $20.00 and all Jr. Warhawk Club members receive:

• Season ticket to all home Warhawk athletic events
• Jr. Warhawk Club T-shirt and membership card
• Invitation to exclusive Jr. Warhawk Club events
• Name on Jr. Warhawk Club Web site
• Autographed picture of Ace
• E-Birthday card (sent to parent ’s email)

The ULM Athletic Foundation is the pillar of support for ULM Athletics. It is composed of individuals and businesses with a common mission, which is as follows:

The mission of the ULM Athletic foundation is to raise awareness and financial support for the Warhawk athletic programs, positively promote all athletic events, grow the Warhawk fan and donor base, and enhance the lives of over 300 student-athletes.

For more information about any of membership programs available from the ULM Athletic Foundation, contact Dan O’Dowd, Executive Director of the ULM Athletic Foundation at 318-342-5428 or odowd@ulm.edu.




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Show Your Warhawk Pride!

Celebrate the history and tradition of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Make your purchases in style, while receiving rewarding benefits and world class service. Each purchase generates dollars for your ULM Alumni Association!

ULM Mastercard
Apply today for the ULM Platinum Plus® MasterCard® with WorldPoints®Rewards from Bank of America.




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Alumni Association announces away tailgating locations

The ULM Alumni Association will be hosting tailgating events in Little Rock on September 11 and in Baton Rouge (tentative at this time) on November 13.

For more information on these two events and on all of your association’s activities, please view:  www.ulm.edu/alumni/events/


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Crow Indian Reunion #2 Planned

The weekend of September 24-25 (ULM’s opening home football weekend) is the date set for the 2nd annual Crow Indian Reunion.

For more information, contact Andy Snelling at worldbk@bellsouth.net.   This is also the date of the ULM Alumni Association’s annual shrimp boil.


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Welcome Letter Winners

Are you “ALL IN”? I hope you are. You can help us make a difference both on and off the field of play this upcoming season.

There have been a lot of changes since we last were in contact with each other and I am really looking forward to the upcoming seasons.

We have a new president for the 2010-2011 year. Eun Jung Ok will serve as our new president for this year. I look forward to EJ’s enthusiasm this year. If she is half the president she was a point guard, then we will make great strides forward.

We have new and energetic women’s volleyball coach in Ernest Vasquez and Stacey Lamb is ready for a breakout season with her Warhawk soccer program this year.

We have a new football coach in Todd Berry and it looks to be a different brand of ball played in Malone Stadium on Saturday’s this season. We welcome back Keith Richard to lead our men’s basketball team for several years to come. Good to have both of these gentlemen and coaches back on campus.

I want to encourage you to be “ALL IN” with the Letterman’s Club as well. As the horizon of athletics has changed, the future and scope of the L-Club is adjusting and changing as well. We are currently and will continue to be a work in progress as we strive to make our organization what it can and should be.

As Executive Director I want you to know that my door, email, or phone is always open to you as a former Indian or Warhawk. Please contact me with questions, concerns, or complements as they pertain to the organization. I cannot serve the members of this organization if you are silent.

Have you renewed you membership in the L-Club? If not, I would like to ask you to take a few moments and do that today. Those of you who have already renewed please accept my thanks.

Have you approached a teammate about joining? You sat next to each other on the bus for untold hours or slept in the same room for many nights in the dorm or on the road. Please do not assume that they are already members. Not sure? Ask. How about joining your teammate up for a year? Give them a gift membership to get them involved. Sometimes we need a little nudge.

Please update your contact information with Nancy Davis or Tommy Walpole at the Alumni Center. It is vital that we have your most recent information to keep you informed of happenings here on campus and with your L-Club.

Thanks for your time today. I look forward to seeing you back on campus. Our first home football game is September 25 against Southeastern Louisiana. Please make plans to attend.

Are you “ALL IN”?

Go Warhawks!

Robert Williamson

Robert Williamson
L Club Executive Director
(318) 342-5428 /822-927-4295
rwilliamson@ulm.edu



Don’t forget to check out the “Lost Members” link located at the top of this newsletter – help us locate these lost teammates. Send any information to me at rwilliamson@ulm.edu.