ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE PURSUIT BENEFIT THE WARHAWK CLUB
Featured Guest: Joe Profit
Former University of Louisiana Monroe All-American Joe Profit, who became the first
1,000-yard rusher in school history in 1969, has been selected as the keynote speaker
for The Pursuit
A graduate of Richwood High School in Monroe, Profit was a trailblazer in 1967, becoming
the first black to play football at a predominantly white Louisiana college as well
as the first black football player to compete in the Gulf States Conference. He led
the team in rushing and all-purpose yards for three seasons in a row from 1968-70.
Profit, who still ranks among ULM’s all-time Top 10 in rushing (2,818 career yards)
and all-purpose yards (3,661 combined), was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the
first round (No. 7 overall) of the 1971 National Football League Draft. Profit is a candidate for Georgia’s 7th U.S. Congressional District.
We would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support of the ULM Warhawk Club, the ULM Foundation, and the University of Louisiana Monroe.
The Pursuit takes its name from the “P” in the Curtiss P(ursuit)-40 Warhawk fighter
plane, best remembered as the aircraft flown during WWII by the “Flying Tigers,” or
American Volunteer Group (AVG), led by General Claire Lee Chennault.
The P-40 Warhawk, identified by its shark teeth nose art, was no match for enemy aircraft.
But Chennault trained his pilots with innovative air combat tactics. As a result of
Chennault’s determination and aviation expertise, the P-40 Warhawk’s victories in
the sky were many. In fact, the volunteer pilots never lost a single battle. The legend
of the Flying Tigers was born, and General Chennault became a hero in China and around
the world.
It was the P-40 Warhawk and the heroism of General Chennault that served as the inspiration
behind the selection of the Warhawk mascot ten years ago. The Warhawk is more than
a name, however. It is a symbol of ULM’s overall vision and mission.
Through its name, The Pursuit is meant to reflect our tradition and our commitment
to pursue excellence. In the words of General Chennault himself, “When an old, well-known
road is blocked, a new path must be opened.”
As a new event that brings us together, The Pursuit symbolizes a new path our institution
has adopted; a path that marks the beginning of an academic and athletic year; a path
that guides us through the year and prepares us for what’s coming; a path that orients
us toward a successful and sustainable future.
There is power in individuals, but the power is even greater in individuals coming
together as one. The P-40 Warhawk might not have been the best aircraft of its era,
but the pilots who flew them understood the necessity of coming together for their
mission. United, these fighters were unbeatable.
When struck by natural disasters in the recent past, our community became united.
We showed our true strength, potential and capabilities. We showed solidarity with
our comrades. We moved fast, and we moved forward in the pursuit of our moral obligations.
Now, it’s time to stand together once again and celebrate the excellence through our
own mission and vision.
