ULM Warhawks

ULM Warhawks
University	University of Louisiana at Monroe
Conference	Sun Belt Conference
NCAA	Division I-A (FBS)
Athletics director	Bobby Staub
Location	Monroe, LA
Varsity teams	12
Football stadium	Malone Stadium
Basketball arena	Fant-Ewing Coliseum
Baseball stadium	Warhawk Field
Nickname	Warhawks
Fight song	ULM Fight Song
Colors	Maroon and Gold
Homepage	www.ulmathletics.com/

The ULM Warhawks are the sports teams of the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 10 sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, cross country, football, men's and women's golf, women's soccer, softball, track and field, women's tennis, and volleyball. The athletic director for the Warhawks is currently Bobby Staub, who took the position on June 30, 2004.^[1]

Renaming

On January 30, 2006, university president James Cofer announced officially that ULM would be retiring the 75-year-old "Indians" mascot in light of new NCAA restrictions against American Indian-themed mascots, which the NCAA considers "hostile and abusive" to Native Americans, despite issuing an appeal to the NCAA to keep the name after the NCAA's ruling allowing FSU to keep their Seminoles nickname.^[2] This came a few days after a mascot committee voted unanimously in favor of the change. The university accepted suggestions for the new mascot through February 28, 2006. The mascot committee then selected 12 semifinalists.^[3]

An online poll, available to students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and the public, yielded three semifinalists: "Warhawks," "Bayou Gators" and "Bayou Hawks." ^[4] The school's mascot committee passed a single recommendation to the university president, who made the final decision. Warhawks was announced as ULM's new mascot on April 5, 2006 and implemented on June 26, 2006. ^[5] The new nickname honors Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, an LSU alumni, and his Air Force unit from World War II, which utilized the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk in battle, although the logos primarily use bird imagery.

Football

Doug Pederson led the Indians in passing from 1988-1990.^[6]

The Warhawk football team is currently searching for a new head coach after choosing not to renew the contract of Charlie Weatherbie. In 2007, the Warhawks upset the Crimson Tide of Alabama in Bryant-Denny Stadium, 21-14, despite being 25-point underdogs^[7] and expected to lose by as much as 38.^[8] It would be called "one of the most important wins in school history".^[7]

The program has sent several players into the professional ranks, including Bubby Brister, Chris Harris (of ticket-giving fame^[9]), Doug Pederson, Marty Booker and Smokey Stover into the National Football League and Raymond Philyaw into the Arena League. Prominent current players include linebacker Cardia Jackson, wide receiver Darrell McNeal and running back Frank Goodin.

According to College Football Data Warehouse, ULM never achieved a winning season since joining Division 1A. ULM's last winning season occurred in 1993.

Baseball

Ben Sheets, 4 time MLB All-Star.

The baseball team is coached by Jeff Schexnaider, and won the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Championship.

References

1. ^ Leffew, Jon. "La-Monroe to become full SBC member." 7/21/04. Story. The Sidelines. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
2. ^ "Louisiana-Monroe will appeal nickname ban." 8/25/05. Story. USA Today. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
3. ^ "Mascot Semifinalists." 4/6/08. Semifinalists. University of Louisiana at Monroe. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
4. ^ "Executive Summary." Mascot Change Online Poll Results. University of Louisiana at Monroe. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
5. ^ "The ULM Warhawk." Website. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
6. ^ "ULM Football Records." 2008 ULM Warhawks Football Media Guide. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
7. ^ ^{a b} Letlow, Paul. "ULM Stuns Alabama 21-14." 11/18/2007. Story. University of Louisiana at Monroe. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
8. ^ Goodbread, Chase. "Alabama-ULM: How They Match Up." 11/17/2007. Story.Rivals.com. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
9. ^ Newbart, Dave. "'It's on tape': Fan demands Bears player fulfill ticket vow." 1/25/07. Article. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.