Nicholls State Colonels

The Nicholls State Colonels are composed of 14 teams representing Nicholls State University in intercollegiate athletics, including men and women's basketball, cross country and tennis. Men's sports include baseball, football and golf. Women's sports include volleyball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, soccer and softball. The Colonels compete in the NCAA's 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.

Baseball
The Nicholls State Colonels baseball team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The team is a member of the Southland Conference, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. Nicholls State's first baseball team was fielded in 1960. The team plays its home games at 3,200-seat Ray E. Didier Field and are coached by Seth Thibodeaux.

Men's basketball
The Nicholls State Colonels men's basketball 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. Nicholls State's first men's basketball team was fielded in 1958. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gym and are coached by J. P. Piper.

Women's basketball
The Nicholls State Colonels women's basketball 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. Nicholls State's first women's basketball team was fielded in 1974-1975. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gym and are coached by DoBee Plaisance.

Cross Country
The Nicholls State Colonels cross country 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. The teams are coached by Heather Van Norman.

Football


The Nicholls State Colonels football 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 State's 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 Charlie Stubbs.

Golf
The Nicholls State Colonels golf 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. The team play their home matches at the Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild in Patterson, Louisiana and are currently led by head coach James Schilling.

Soccer
The Nicholls State Colonels soccer 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. Nicholls State's first volleyball team was fielded in 1998. The team plays its home games at the 1,000-seat Nicholls Soccer Complex and are coached by Dylan Harrison.

Softball
The Nicholls State Colonels softball team represents Nicholls State University in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Southland Conference. Nicholls State's first softball team was fielded in 1981. The team plays its home games at the 500-seat Colonel Softball Complex and are coached by Angel Santiago.

Volleyball
The Nicholls State Colonels volleyball 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. Nicholls State's first volleyball team was fielded in 1975. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gym and are coached by Tommy Harold.

Athletic facilities

 * 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. It is home to the Nicholls State 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 because Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Archie Manning hold the Manning Passing Academy football camp at the facility. The current playing surface is Astroturf 3D Grass. 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. 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 Gym Stopher Gym is a 3,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls State Colonels men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team. It opened in 1970.


 * Ray E. Didier Field Ray E. Didier Field is a baseball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls State Colonels baseball team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference.  The venue has a capacity of 3,200.


 * Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild The Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild located in Patterson, Louisiana, is the home golf course of the Nicholls State Colonels golf team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. It is an 18-hole, 7,533 yard, 72 par course and includes an on-site practice facility.


 * Nicholls Golf Complex The Nicholls Golf Complex is the driving range complex located on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is a practice venue for the Nicholls State Colonels 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. It is home to the Nicholls State Colonels soccer team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 1,000.


 * Colonels Softball Complex The Colonels Softball Complex is a softball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls State Colonels softball team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 500.


 * Colonels Tennis Complex The Colonels Tennis Complex is a tennis venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls State Colonels men's and women's tennis teams of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference.


 * Frank L. Barker Athletic Building The Frank L. Barker Athletic Building is the athletic administration, football, baseball and athletic training building for the Nicholls State Colonels. The building also houses the Nicholls State Colonels Athletics Hall of Fame.


 * Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility The Nicholls State Colonels strength and conditioning facility is located inside the Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility or Leonard C. Chabert Hall. It includes the Colonels weight room and a 50-yard artificial turf field is located adjacent to the building.

Championships
Conference championships
 * Baseball Regular Season: 1974, '76, '84, '85 Tournament: 1998
 * Men's Basketball Regular Season: 1995, '98 Tournament: 1995, '98
 * Football 1975, '84, 2005
 * Softball Regular Season: 1992, '94-'96 Tournament: 1996, '97

Nicholls State University Alma Mater
All hail to thee, our Alma Mater, We raise thy glorious name on high. The echo of thy spirit rises, And fills devotion’s cloudless sky. To thee we pledge our loyalty Through all the years that are to be. Hail to Nicholls, Alma Mater, Our hearts are thine and thine shall be.

The Pride of Nicholls Marching Band
The Pride of Nicholls Marching Band is the marching band which represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Colonel Tillou
Colonel Tillou is the official athletics mascot for Nicholls State University. The modern version of Col. Tillou wears a bright red uniform topped off with a contemporary-style military officer's cap.

Nicholls Colonelettes and Colorguard
The 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.

The Colorguard performs at all home football games.

Nicholls Cheerleaders
The Nicholls State Colonels cheerleading squad is an all coed squad. The cheerleaders perform at football games, basketball games and pep rallies in addition to a number of public relations and charitable events each year.

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. 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.

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

Colonel Athletic Association
The mission of the Colonel Athletic Association is to provide expanded opportunities for the Nicholls State University student athletes. The CAA supplements student-athlete scholarships and other important needs such as:


 * Providing scholarships and financial aid for deserving student-athletes
 * Attracting and retaining qualified coaches for all of the Nicholls' NCAA Division I athletic programs
 * Maintaining and improving facilities through enhancement, renovation and new construction
 * Ensuring that each of our student athletes in our 14 sports receives top-of-the-line equipment, uniforms, and physical and sport training to maximize their ability to compete at the NCAA Division I level.