Athletic Program History
LSU Alexandria was established in 1960 as a two-year community college. During the late-1970s and mid-1980s LSUA offered a variety of athletic teams that competed at the club level. Sports consisted of baseball, softball, basketball, tennis, archery, and golf. At this time the University was not a member of any national association or conference. Due to a major budget crunch which affected higher education in the state of Louisiana, the athletic program was dropped following the spring of 1985.
During the summer of 2003, LSUA made the transformation from a two-year community college to a four-year university. Following the change to four-year status, the University decided to pursue the creation of an intercollegiate athletics program.
Keeping with the mission of the University, the student body was consulted in the decision making process in creating the athletic program. Students were surveyed during the spring of 2004 as to their interest in starting an athletic program. LSUA students indicated that they were in favor of starting an athletic program consisting of men’s baseball and women’s fast-pitch softball.
Once student interest was evaluated, the University approached the Student Government Association (SGA) with a proposal for creating the program. After consulting with the SGA, it was decided to take the proposal to the students in the form of a student referendum to be conducted during the fall of 2004. In the referendum, the proposal for funding the athletic program through a Student Athletic Fee passed with over a 2/3 majority. Following the referendum, SGA wrote a resolution supporting the University’s efforts.
The University, with the student referendum and the SGA resolution, requested that the LSU Board of Supervisors approve the University’s proposal for funding baseball and softball. The LSU Board of Supervisors approved the proposal during their May 2005 board meeting and the Student Athletic Fee went into effect with the fall 2006 semester.
Final approval was granted to LSU Alexandria by the LSU Board of Supervisors during their February 2006 board meeting and the Louisiana Board of Regents during their March 2006 board meeting for the implementation of baseball and fast-pitch softball teams for the 2006-07 academic year. At their meetings, both boards also approved the University’s request to amend the 2006-07 Capital Outlay Budget Request to include the construction of a baseball/softball complex on campus.
LSU Alexandria applied for membership with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) during the spring of 2006 and was recognized as a provisionary member at the NAIA National Convention in June of 2006.
During the spring of 2006, a committee was charged with selecting a mascot for the University. This committee selected the “Generals” as the official mascot for the athletics program. This selection was approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors at their July 2006 board meeting.
LSU Alexandria selected Mr. Dan Purvis as the University’s first Athletic Director during the fall of 2006. Purvis was also named as the Head Baseball Coach effective January of 2007. Ms. Casey Goodman was named the University’s first Head Softball Coach in May of 2007.