HAMMOND – When the Southeastern Louisiana softball team reported to campus this week, the players were greeted by several new improvements to their North Campus home.

During a busy offseason, Southeastern Louisiana head coach Pete Langlois and his assistant coaches Karin Smith Gadberry and Arica Rodriguez were occupied with major improvements to their home field North Oak Park, as well as their locker room, training and office area located on North Campus in the old Hammond High School gym.

Following the 2009 campaign, the field at North Oak Park has seen several new improvements, including a permanent entryway to the park, new batting cages and a new speaker system. In addition, the program's indoor area adjacent to its locker room and office areas was completely covered with turf, giving Southeastern an area to practice when inclement weather affects the area.

Through the assistance of Gainey's Concrete and other Home Run Club members, as well as a grant from Recreational Sports and Wellness, the majority of the facility improvements were made with private funds.

The softball program also did its part with its special fundraising effort that has been a tradition since 1999. Since then, the Lady Lion coaches and their families, players and Home Run Club members have sold concessions at the Louisiana Superdome. The program has run a booth at New Orleans Saints' games, bowl games, the Bayou Classic and the LHSAA state high school football championships for more than a decade. This year, the Lady Lions expanded their efforts and have also started working select New Orleans Hornets' home games.



“We started working Saints games with the idea that with the funds raised we could make one major improvement to our program each year,” Langlois commented. “It's been very successful and many of the upgrades we've been able to make are a direct result of the work we've done in New Orleans. We feel it's a rewarding experience for everyone involved with our program – coaches, players and Home Run Club members – to play a part in growing Southeastern Softball. For our players especially, they have the opportunity to give back to the program and they have been very willing to play their part.”

Perhaps the most ambitious offseason project was the turfing of the indoor area. Over the past several years, the Superdome has had a new playing surface laid down at the end of each season. At the end of this season, the softball program was able to purchase 8,000 square feet of the old turf to use to turf the hardwood floor – the same gym floor that local legend Kim Mulkey graced during her Hammond High School playing days.

The trucks came during the fall delivering the turf outside the building. With the assistance of a forklift, a crane, a Bobcat and several Physical Plant workers, the Southeastern coaching staff maneuvered the tons of turf into the facility.



“There's no question we couldn't have completed this project without the assistance of the Physical Plant,” Langlois stated. “We owe a great deal of thanks to (Physical Plant Director) Byron Patterson and his staff.”



From there, Langlois, Rodriguez and Gadberry – along with several Physical Plant workers – had to roll the turf out. Langlois and his staff spent long hours smoothing out the surface and inserting white turf to simulate baselines, the pitching surface and the warning track. When it was completed, Southeastern had its own first class indoor facility complete with batting cages and areas to work on all aspects of the game.



“I can't stress enough how much having this indoor area is going to help our program,” Langlois commented. “In this area, weather plays a factor and can often hinder your ability to prepare. We're now fortunate to have an area to work in so that Mother Nature isn't a factor.”

The Lady Lions will continue their efforts in New Orleans and will be manning their traditional post on Sunday, when the Saints host the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game with a Super Bowl berth on the line.

“Oh, we'll be in that number,” Langlois said with a laugh. “Come see us right outside Section 521 in the terrace. You won't find colder drinks or hotter food anywhere else in the Superdome.”

The 2010 Lady Lions return five position starters and four experienced pitchers from last season's squad. The season opens on Feb. 12, when the Lady Lions face Jackson State at noon at the ULM Tournament in Monroe. For Southeastern softball ticket information, contact the Lion Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466.