The 2024-25 Louisiana Tech bowling team information guide is a publication of the Athletics Communications Office. It has been designed as a source of information for the news media and Bulldog bowling fans. Every effort has been made to include pertinent and timely information. Should you need additional information such as feature material and/ or statistics, please direct your inquiries to the media relations office.
News releases, photos and other services are available to accredited members of the news media. Current releases, statistics and photos can also be obtained at LATechSports.com.
Editor: Kevin Albarez
Contributors: Louisiana Tech News Bureau, Louisiana Tech Marketing and Public Relations Department
Covers, Layout and Design: Courtney PughDonnie Bell Design
Photography: Emerald McIntyre
ATHLETIC VISION
Louisiana Tech University will be a conference leader in performance by investing strategically in student-athletes’ development, providing superior facilities and enhancing program support to achieve a local and national image of success and dominance.
ATHLETIC
MISSION STATEMENT
Embody excellence in everything we do.
Develop student-athletes to maximize their potential in mind, body and spirit.
Bring pride, admiration, and loyalty to the University family, community and state.
Win with integrity.
2024-25
BOWLING QUICK FACTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Ruston, La.
Founded: 1894
Enrollment: 12,039 (as of Fall 2024)
Affiliation: NCAA Division I
Nickname: Bulldogs
Colors: Blue and Red
Conference: CUSA
President: Dr. Jim Henderson
Athletic Director/VP: Ryan Ivey
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Matt Nantais (9th Season) Alma Mater: Alabama, 1996
TEAM INFORMATION
Letterwinners R/L: 4/3
Newcomers: 4
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (4)
Abbie Leiendecker
Jenna Stretch
Kylee Trexler
Allyson Sand
LETTERWINNERS LOST (3)
Danielle Jedlicki
Allie Leiendecker
Patricia Rosales
NEWCOMERS (4)
Paulina Avalos
Ashley Imhoff
Arianna Araujo
Rachel Ong
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Associate Director (Bowling): Kevin Albarez
Office: 318-257-5071
Email: kalbarez@latech.edu
Website: www.LATechSports.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: /LATechBowl
Twitter: @LATechBowl
Instagram: @LATechBowl
Township, Ohio / Murcyhurst University
/ Savannah College of Art and Design
Cabot, Ark. / Cabot HS
Arcadia, Ind. / Hamilton Heights HS
Palos Hills, Ill. / Stagg HS
Singapore / Sam Houston
Wooster, Ohio / Wooster HS
Mich. / L'Anse Creuse High School - North
MATT NANTAIS
HEAD COACH
@MattNantais
Matt Nantais enters his ninth year as head coach of the Louisiana Tech bowling team after leading the Bulldogs to eight of the program's most successful seasons.
After losing five bowlers, including two starters, Louisiana Tech relied on the four returners to help the two freshmen and a transfer adjust to the difficulty of the newly formed Conference USA bowling league. The Bulldogs produced the most successful seasons with 83 wins, four tournament wins, and four All-American honors. They achieved their highest ranking at No. 4 in the December poll. They would qualify for their fourth consecutive NCAA Regional and Intercollegiate Team Championship (ITC).
LA Tech competed in 15 events and picked up wins at the SWIBC I, SWIBC II, the Track Kat Klash, and the ITC Sectional. All five starters earned post-season honors, with Kylee Trexler taking home CUSA and NTCA Freshman of the Year. Allie Leiendecker picked up her fifth NTCA All-American award, while Danielle Jedlicki, Patricia Rosales, and Trexler were also named to the All-American list. Trexler, Rosales, and Allie Leiendecker were named to the inaugural All-CUSA team. Trexler and Abbie Leiendecker were named to the NTCA All-Rookie Team.
The 2022-23 season saw the Bulldogs continue to make massive strides on the lanes. LA Tech claimed three tournament victories, the most in a season in program history. Their 80 wins also surpassed the previous season's record of 75. The Bulldogs would qualify for the NCAA Regional for the third consecutive year and made another run at the ITC.
Tech competed in 14 events and placed in the top five at 10 tournaments. The Bulldogs finished third in the Southland Conference and fourth at the NCAA Arlington Regional. Allie Leiendecker and Lindsey Manning earned All-Southland Conference and National Tenpin Coaches Association All-American honors. For the first time in school history, all five starters finished the season with over a 200 average: Manning (200.6), Averi Brown (203.2), Jedlicki (203.8), Allie Leiendecker (205.0), and Rosales (213,4).
During the 2021-22 season, Louisiana Tech matched its highest national ranking of fifth in the National Tenpin Coaches Association's February poll. Tech then qualified for its second national championship appearance at the National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship and the ITC after qualifying for both during the 2020-21 season.
Tech competed in 13 events during 2021-22 and placed inside the top 10 in 12 of those tournaments, including two tournament titles at the SWIBC and ISTAP, four runner-up finishes, and seven top-five placements. Tech finished third at the Southland Championships and second at the NCAA Arlington Regional, reaching the Elite Eight. Allie Leiendecker was named to several post-season teams, including NTCA First-Team All-Region, NTCA Second-Team All-American, Second-Team All-Southland, and NSBCA All-American Honorable-Mention. Jedlicki also posted the first two perfect games in program history during the first half of the season schedule.
LA Tech competed in 14 events and placed in the top five at nine tournaments during the 2020-21 season. Tech finished second at four tournaments, including the Southland Conference Championships. At the 2021 NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs registered the first perfect Baker game in program history after bowling a 300. Senior Kaitlyn Eder and sophomore Allie Leiendecker were named to the 2021 All-Southland Bowling League Third Team. Leiendecker was also named NTCA All-American honorable mention.
Nantais led the Bulldogs to new heights in 2019-20, coaching a team without a senior to Louisiana Tech's first appearance in a USBC Sectional. Tech ranked no. 11 in the NTCA Coaches Poll throughout the season and notched a 64-34 record despite competing against the most challenging schedule in Nantais' tenure.
The Bulldogs won the JSU Sonic Boom Invitational for the third year in a row and finished in the top 10 in every tournament they competed in. Tech also set a school record with 10 consecutive wins at the Northeast Invitational and three straight matches over 1,000 at the Music City Classic. In 2018-19, Louisiana Tech ranked in the Top 25 throughout the season, going 64-41 and winning two tournaments: the JSU Sonic Boom Invitational and Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs also earned acknowledgment from the NTCA for their work in the classroom, with five student-athletes earning NTCA All-Academic Honors.
On the lanes, Nantais coached Kaitlyn Eder to a spot on the Southland Conference first team and NTCA All-America honors. The sophomore led Tech in strikes (323), strike percentage (46.9%), spare conversion percentage (73.5%), and average per frame (20.01). Eder and Ashley Channell also earned Southland Conference All-Academic honors.
In 2017-18, the Bulldogs had an unparalleled year, notching 55 victories and earning national rankings in the NTCA poll for the first time in school history. Nantais paced Tech to a program-best six top-10 finishes, including a tournament championship at the Jackson State Sonic Boom Invitational.
Nantais saw impressive play from up and down his lineup in his second season, bolstered by the play of freshman Kaitlyn Eder. The rookie was named the National Rookie of the Year and an All-America Honorable Mention from the NTCA. She also earned a spot on Junior Team USA after a solid finish at the United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials.
The Bulldogs defeated the No. 1 team in the nation and Nebraska and earned at least one triumph over every top-10 team in the nation throughout the season. Tech finished the year ranked 20th among 80 D1 programs.
In his first year in 2016-17, Tech made significant progress, earning a top-10 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore. The team also saw success outside the lanes, as Shelby Smith and Sarah McComic both earned all-academic recognition from the NTCA.
Nantais was announced as the new head coach for the Louisiana Tech Bowling program on September 21, 2016.
Nantais joined the program after spending the previous five seasons at Valparaiso. In those five years, Nantais led Valparaiso to over 300 victories. That total includes a program-record 84 wins in his first season (2011-12), a season in which the Crusaders ascended as high as #1 in the NTCA coaches poll and advanced to the 2012 NCAA Women's Bowling Championship, where the team finished in the final six.
Nantais guided the Crusaders to 60 victories in 2012-13 and 59 wins in 2013-14, while last season saw the Crusaders earn 50 wins. Each of the last two seasons, Nantais has lined up a schedule for Valpo, which ranks among the nation's most challenging - slates that featured opponents among the top 10 in the country for nearly half the team's matches. The Crusaders ended the 2014-15 campaign ranked 16th nationally, continuing the program's streak of being ranked in every NTCA coaches poll since the program's inception.
Under Nantais, the Valparaiso bowling program became a member of the Southland Bowling League during the 2014-15 campaign. This newly formed league included eight of the nation's top programs. The Crusaders finished in third place at the inaugural Southland Bowling League Championship in March 2015.
Over his four seasons, Nantais has seen nine bowlers earn All-Tournament Team honors, including Natalie Cortese at the NCAA Championship in 2012. He also coached Cortese as she earned NTCA Honorable Mention All-American status following her senior season. At the same time, Torrie Decker became the second bowler in program history to be named an Honorable Mention All-American for her work during the 2014-15 campaign.
Nantais' bowlers have enjoyed success in the classroom as well over his three years at the helm. Cortese was an NTCA All-Academic Third Team selection in 2012, while the Crusaders have had 16 bowlers earn All-Academic recognition from the NTCA over the last three years. In addition, Valpo earned team academic recognition from the NTCA for the first time in 2014.
Nantais came to Valparaiso after spending a season as an assistant coach for the women's squad at Robert Morris [Ill.] University. While there, Nantais helped guide the Lady Eagles as they reached the top spot in the nation in the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team national poll. Robert Morris went on to close the season with a fifth-place finish at the National USBC Team Championships and a third-place showing at the NAIA Team Championships.
Prior to joining the Robert Morris coaching staff, Nantais spent the 2009-2010 season as assistant coach for the Lake Central HS girl's team, which placed fifth in the state. During his year at Lake Central, he helped tutor current Crusader Kaity Galka. Nantais also previously spent two seasons (2006-2008) as head coach of the boy's team at North Newton H.S. and has served as a coach in the Stardust III (Dyer, Ind.) Junior Program since 1987. He received his USBC Bronze Certification in June of 2008 and earned his Silver Certification in October of 2008.
TV/RADIO ROSTER
6 11 13 16 25 26 28 33
JENNA STRETCH JR./1L AUBURN TOWNSHIP, OHIO
PAULINA AVALOS SO./TR MURFREESBORO, TENN.
ASHLEY IMHOFF FR./HS CABOT, ARK.
KYLEE TREXLER FR./HS ARCADIA, IND.
ARIANNA ARAUJO FR./TR PALOS HILLS, ILL.
RACHEL ONG SO./TR SINGAPORE
ABBIE LEIENDECKER FR./HS WOOSTER, OHIO
ALLYSON SAND JR./2L CHESTERFIELD, MICH.
MATT NANTAIS HEAD COACH
If you’ve been a part of the CUSA family for years, we’re proud to have you here. If you’re new to us, welcome. No matter when you got here, know this: You’re part of more than a college athletics conference.
Every school, every town, every alumni and fan is an essential part of who CUSA is today, and equally important in taking us to the next level. With unstoppable energy, there are no limits on us.
So hop on, because we’re heading up.
FIU - JACKSONVILLE STATE - KENNESAW STATE - LIBERTY - LA TECH - MIDDLE TENNESSEE - NEW MEXICO STATE - SAM HOUSTON - UTEP - WKU MIAMI, FL - JACKSONVILLE, AL - KENNESAW, GA - LYNCHBURG, VA - RUSTON, LA - MURFREESBORO, TN - LAS CRUCES, NM - HUNTSVILLE, TX - EL PASO, TX - BOWLING GREEN, KY
2023-24
LA TECH TOURNAMENT RESULTS
I
Oct. 7, 2023 | Fort Worth, Texas
Oct. 13-15, 2023 | Harahan, La Hosted by Tulane
Nov. 3-5, 2023 | Houston, Texas Hosted by Sam Houston
Jan. 26-28 2024 | Arlington, Texas
Feb.2-4, 2024 | Valley Park, Mo. Hosted by Louisiana
MID-WINTER INVITATIONAL
Feb. 16-18, 2024 | Jonesboro, Ark. Hosted by Arkansas State
USBC SECTIONALS
March 8-10, 2023 | Fort Worth, Texas Total Pinfall
COLUMBIA 300 MUSIC CITY CLASSIC
March 15-17, 2024 | Nashville, Tenn. Hosted by Vanderbilt
CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP
March 22-24, 2024 | Rowlett, Texas
W-L Place 3-2 4th
Opponent Round Result
Vanderbilt 2nd L, 2-1 Tulane 3rd W, 2-1
Vanderbilt 4th W, 2-0
Youngstown QF L, 2-1
NCAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 5-6, 2024 | Arlington, Texas W-L 2-2
Opponent Round Result
Sam Houston 1st L, 2-1
Belmont Abby 2nd W, 2-0
North Carolina A&T SF W, 2-0
Sam Houston Finals L, 2-1
USBC NATIONALS
May 18-22, 2023 | Las Vegas, Nev.
Qualifying Round Total Avg./Game Place 4,929 205.4 5th
W-L Place 0-2 T-6th
Opponent Round Result
Okla. Christian 1st W, 4-1
Jacksonville State 2nd L, 4-2
Maryville 4th W, 4-3
Pikeville 5th W, 4-0
Mount Mercy 6th L, 4-0
2023-24
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
2023-24
TEAM STATISTICS
LETTERWINNERS HONORS & AWARDS
Browder, Victoria 2015-16
Brown, Averi 2021-2023
Calzaretta, Kelsey 2014-18
Channell, Ashley 2018-21
Clark, Miranda 2011-12
Collins, Latoya 2007-08
Craighead, Caitlin 2009-13
Day, Amy 2008-12
Dekeyzer, Harley 2013-16
Eder, Kaitlyn 2018-21
Eldredge, Elizabeth 2009-13
Ghersini, Kayla 2009-13
Granger, Houston 2008-12
Hall, Morgan 2016-18
Hickman, Kendall 2015-19
Hinz, Stephanie 2007-10
Howell-Floyd, Sara 2019-2022
Jedlicki, Danielle 2020-2024
Koch, Emma 2020-2023
Leiendecker, Abbie 2023-pres.
Leiendecker, Allie 2020-2024
Manning, Lindsay 2019-2023
McAda, Jessica 2013-14
McComic, Sarah 2014-18
McCusker, Jessica 2010-13
Miles, Toria 2007-09
Patterson, Kalia 2019-2022
Porter, Kristin 2007-10
Rawls, Kay 2011-14
Rettig, Emily 2019-2022
Rosales, Patricia 2021-2024
Rosen, Lindsey 2014-17
Sand, Allyson 2021-pres.
Smith, Lakeya 2007-08
Smith, Shelby 2013-17
Snow, Baileigh 2020-2023
Spridco, Tara 2020-2023
Stretch, Jenna 2023-pres.
Thompson, Morgan 2007-09
Trexler, Kylee 2023-pres.
Wilson, Nichole 2010-14
NTCA ALL-AMERICAN 2023-24
Allie Leiendecker - 2nd Team
Patricia Rosales - 2nd Team
Kylee Trexler - 3rd Team
Danielle Jedlicki - Honorable Mention 2022-23
Allie Leiendecker - 2nd Team
Danielle Jedlicki - Honorable Mention
Lindsay Manning - Honorable Mention 2021-22
Allie Leiendecker - 2nd Team 2020-21
Allie Leiendecker - Honorable Mention 2019-20
Allie Leiendecker - 2nd Team 2018-19
Kaitlyn Eder - 1st Team 2017-18
Kaitlyn Eder - Honorable Mention
NTCA ALL-REGION
2023-24
Patricia Rosales - 2nd Team
Allie Leiendecker - Honorable Mention 2022-23
Allie Leiendecker - 1st Team 2021-22
Allie Leiendecker - 1st Team
NTCA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 2034-24
Kylee Trexler 2019-20
Allie Leiendecker 2017-18
Kaitlyn Eder
NCBCA ALL-AMERICAN 2021-22
Allie Leiendecker - Honorable Mention
CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR 2023-24
Kylee Trexler
ALL-CONFERENCE USA 2023-24
Patricia Rosales - 2nd Team
Allie Leiendecker - 3rd Team
Kylee Trexler - 3rd Team
CONFERENCE USA ALL-ACADEMIC 2023-24
Allie Leiendecker
SOUTHLAND NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2019-20
Allie Leiendecker
ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE 2022-23
Allie Leiendecker - 1st Team
Lindsay Manning - 3rd Team 2021-22
Allie Leiendecker - 2nd Team
2020-21
Kaitlyn Eder - 3rd Team
Allie Leiendecker - 3rd Team 2019-20
Allie Leiendecker - 2nd Team 2018-19
Kaitlyn Eder - 1st Team
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE ALL-ACADEMIC 2022-23
Averi Brown
Danielle Jedlicki
Emma Koch
Allie Leiendecker
Lindsay Manning
Baileigh Snow
Tara Sspridco
2021-22
Sara Howell
Danielle Jedlicki
Emma Koch
Allie Leinendecker
Lindsay Manning
Kalia Patterson
Emily Rettig
Patricia Rosales
Allyson Sand
Baileigh Snow
Tara Spridco
2020-21
Ashley Channell
Kaitlyn Eder
Sara Howell
Danielle Jedlicki
Emma Koch
Allie Leinendecker
Lindsay Manning
Kalia Patterson
Emily Rettig
Baileigh Snow
Tara Spridco
2019-20
Ashley Channell
Kaitlyn Eder
Sara Howell
Danielle Jedlicki
Emma Koch
Allie Leinendecker
Lindsay Manning
Kalia Patterson
Emily Rettig
Tara Spridco
2016-17
Shelby Smith
Sarah McComic
CUSA COMMISIONER'S ACADEMIC MEDAL 2020-21
Sara Howell-Floyd
Lindsay Manning
Emily Rettig
Tara Spridco
2020-21
Kaitlyn Eder
Sara Howell-Floyd
Lindsay Manning
Emily Rettig
Tara Spridco
2019-20
Kaitlyn Eder
Sara Howell
Lindsay Manning
Emily Rettig
Tara Spridco
2018-19
Kaitlyn Eder
Ashley Channell
2023-24
SEASON IN REVIEW
LA Tech Ends Historic Season in NCAA Regional for the Fourth Year in a Row LA Tech qualified for the Arlington, Texas, regional for the fourth year in a row after finishing third at the inaugural Conference USA Championship.
Tech finished with season with an 88-36 record, setting a new program mark for most wins in a season and reaching 80 for the second consecutive season.
Tech made its fourth straight appearance at both the NCAA Regional and the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championship (ITC).
For the second consecutive season, all five starters Allie Leiendecker, 20.88; Patricia Rosales, 20.78; Kylee Trexler, 20.59; Danielle Jedlicki, 20.15, and Abbie Leiendecker, 20.05) finished with over a 20.0 average per frame.
LA Tech competed in 15 events and placed in the top five at 10 tournaments during the 2023-24 season. Tech finished first at four tournaments, tying the school record for tournament wins in a season.
Graduate students Allie Leiendecker and Patricia Rosale, along with freshman Kylee Trexler, were named to the All-CUSA team. Rosales earned second team, while Leiendecker and Trexler were named to the Third Team. Trexler was also named CUSA Freshman of the Year.
Five Bulldogs Earn Post-Season Awards
All five Louisiana Tech starters earned regional or national awards for the 2023-24 season.
Allie Leiendecker and Patricia Rosales earned All-Central Region recognition. Rosales was named to the Second Team, and Allie Leiendecker was named to Honorable Mention.
Abbie Leiendecker and Kylee Trecler were the only teammates to earn First Team All-Rookie honors.
Trexler received more accolades after being named National Rookie of the Year and Third Team All-American honors.
Rosales, Allie Leiendecker, and Danielle Jedlicki were all named to the NCTA All-American teams. Allie Leiendecker earned secondteam honors, giving her five All-American honors for her career. Rosales picked up her first honor with a second team, and Jedlicki earned Honorable Mention for the second straight season.
Allie Leiendecker received one more award by receiving her second CSC Academic All-District honor.
As a team, the Bulldogs earned the NTCA All-Academic Scholar Team distinction for the eighth consecutive year with a 3.647 team GPA, which is the fifth-best in the country. Allie Leiendecker, Allyson Sand, Jenna Stretch, Abbie Leiendecker, and Trexler earned over a 3.4 GPA to earn the NTCA All-Academic Scholar Athletes distinction.
TEAM & INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
PROGRAM HISTORY
2023-24
Record 88-36
CUSA Finish 4th
NCAA Regional Finish 2nd Tournament Wins 4 (SWIBC I, SWIBC II, Track Kat Klash, USBC ITC Sectionals)
2022-23
Record 80-47
Southland Finish 3rd
NCAA Regional Finish 3rd Tournament Wins 4 (SWIBC I, SWIBC II, Dezy Strong, Sonic Boom Invitational,)
2021-22
Record 75-26
Southland Finish 3rd
NCAA Regional Finish 2nd Tournament Wins 2 (SWIBC II, ISTAP)
MISSION = Advance the LA Tech Athletics brand with your Time and Talent
TIME
You can simply spend time consuming our content. Attend or stream our live events, listen to our radio broadcasts, follow and engage on social media, read and share our team’s and student-athlete’s stories, proudly wear your Bulldog and Lady Techster gear, display our infamous logos.
TALENT
You can also advance the brand by investing your unique talents through gifts, skills, knowledge, or relationships. Purchase season or singlegame tickets, become a member of LTAC, T-Club, or the Aillet Society. Join the LA Tech family during our annual giving day. Introduce us to new potential partners. Or simply reach out and share your perspective on how we can help serve you better.
Everyone has TIME and TALENT to
offer.
You bark. We bark. Louder Together.
DR. JIM HENDERSON
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
@DrJBHenderson
Dr. Jim Henderson became the 15th president of Louisiana Tech University on Jan. 1, 2024. His ties to the institution go back more than 80 years when his father, Clem Henderson, was recruited to play for famed Louisiana Tech football coach, Joe Aillet. His mom, Martha, was a two-time Tech grad.
Henderson previously served as the president and CEO of the University of Louisiana System, one of the nation’s largest University systems. As the longestserving UL System president, he led the Universities of Louisiana in the creation of a strategic framework that charged its member institutions to produce the most educated generation in Louisiana’s history. Through various Systemic initiatives such as Compete LA, the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars, and the challenges associated with a global pandemic and fiscal uncertainty, he developed a notion of System that will continue to benefit each of the nine institutions for decades to come.
Henderson also served as president of his alma mater, Northwestern State University, where he reinvigorated student life and campus culture leading to the highest enrollment in the school’s 135-year history. Before taking the helm of NSU, Henderson served as chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College. During his tenure, the institution ranked among the five fastest growing colleges in the nation for five consecutive years.
In 2012, Henderson was named a Northwest Louisiana Business Hall of Fame Laureate and in 2017 he was inducted into Northwestern State University’s hall of honor, the Long Purple Line. Henderson holds a master of science in administration from University of West Florida and a doctor of management from University of Maryland—University College. In 2010, he completed the Institute of Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Visitors of the Marine Corps University.
The smartest decision Henderson has made is marrying his college sweetheart,
Tonia who founded her own media company after a successful career in advertising. The Hendersons have three children, Reagan, Nicholas, and Alexander who is majoring in chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Miguel, Maria, and Lucille.
RYAN IVEY
VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
@rivey35
Louisiana Tech University President Dr. Jim Henderson introduced Ryan Ivey as Vice President and Director of Athletics in front of a packed Club Level at the Davison Athletics Complex.
Ivey comes to Ruston with more than 18+ years of experience in intercollegiate athletics with the past 11 as an athletics director at Stephen F. Austin, Austin Peay, and Texas A&M-Commerce.
“The Louisiana Tech athletics brand is synonymous with excellence. When you think about the student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and teams that have called this University home, it is really astounding. We have an opportunity to build upon, grow and establish future success,” Ivey said. “Our goal will be to build a nationally prominent athletics department with individuals that excel in everything that we do. We will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence, respecting those that have come before us, but building and charting our own path and successes. Now is the time to be part of this amazing University and department!”
He spent more than five years in Nacogdoches, Texas at SFA, leading the department through a conference transition from the Southland Conference to the Western Athletic Conference, raising private support that included the launch of the Purple Lights Fund that helped secure the four largest single gifts in the department’s history, and increasing ticket sales by 189 percent.
He also helped complete more than $30 million in facility improvements including the Loddie Naymola Basketball Performance Center, a 42,000-square foot building that houses offices, locker rooms, weight room, training room, and practice courts for the SFA basketball programs. Other construction improvements included a baseball indoor pitching facility, beach volleyball competition facility, indoor golf practice facility, soccer locker room renovations, and more.
Under his leadership, the Lumberjacks celebrated 18 conference championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 2019 Bowling National Championship won by the Ladyjacks after going a perfect 4-0, defeating top-ranked Vanderbilt in the title match.
Prior to joining SFA, Ivey spent three years (2015-18) at Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tennessee, overseeing the department of athletics and its 16 sponsored sports.
While at the helm of the Governors, he helped raise $6.5 million in gifts which were funneled into facility improvements and the athletic departments budget on top of increase football and basketball ticket revenue a combined 39 percent.
While at Austin Peay, the Governors posted several accomplishments on the court/field including two postseason appearances by men’s basketball in 2016 and 2018, an eight-win season by football in 2017 that tied the program record for singleseason victories reached some 40 years prior in 1977, and a volleyball program that claimed both the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles.
His first Director of Athletics position came at NCAA Division II Texas A&M-Commerce. During his two-year stint with the Lions, the athletic programs experienced new heights by winning six team Lone Star Conference championships in the 2014-15 season, the most ever in Lion Athletics history.
In particular, the football program secured back-to-back winning seasons and postseason appearances for the first time since 1990, seeing a 160 percent increase in attendance and a record number of season tickets sold.
Along the way, he helped drive in more than $2.8 million in facility enhancements, including a $1.4 million softball field that saw a first-year program in 2015 finish with a winning record and gain a spot in the Lone Star Conference tournament. He also created the Lions Athletic Club, the fundraising arm of Texas A&M-Commerce Athletics.
Ivey’s first work experience in the state of Louisiana came at McNeese where he assumed the role of assistant athletic director for internal affairs with his efforts primarily focused on growing corporate sponsorship revenue for the Cowboys and Cowgirls.
He spent six years in Lake Charles, the last three of which were as associate director of athletics where he continued his work in revenue generation while overseeing operations for all 16 of the institution’s athletic programs.
Under his guidance, corporate sponsorship yield over $750,000 before accepting his first athletic director position at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Prior to breaking into athletic administration, Ivey served as the director of basketball operations for the Memphis women’s basketball team from 2005-07, which followed a short stint as an athletics marketing coordinator at the University of South Dakota.
Following his graduation from Memphis in 2004, Ivey secured a position with the Memphis Redbirds – the triple-A affiliate of the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals – as a stadium operations assistant.
A student-athlete at Memphis, Ivey suited up for the Tigers’ football team for four years as the squad’s punter and holder. Most notable, Ivey held or Lou Groza finalist and eventual three-time Super Bowl champion Stephen Gostkowski.
Ivey earned both his bachelor’s (sports management, 2004) and master’s (sports and leisure commerce, 2010) from the University of Memphis.
Ivey is married to the former Kelley Holt from Fayetteville, Tennessee. The couple has two sons – Jett and Ace.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT RYAN IVEY
Tommy McClelland, Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics
“I commend Dr. Henderson and the committee on an outstanding hire. Ryan Ivey is one of the most well-respected athletics administrators in the entire country. He has demonstrated success every place he has been. Having worked alongside Ryan for over five years, I can attest to his work ethic, leadership, and vision for an athletics department and its student-athletes. More importantly, he is a wonderful person, husband, and father. Ryan, Kelley, Jett, and Ace will be great additions to the Ruston Community. He is a perfect fit for Louisiana Tech!”
Brian Thornton, Western Athletic Conference Commissioner
“Ryan has proven to be an exceptional leader and even better person. During his time in the WAC, he was a huge contributor towards our goals building the league into a premier conference. He is a tireless worker who is always willing to roll up his sleeves and jump in whenever needed. It won’t take long for Ryan to have a pulse on how to take LA Tech to the next level!”
Jamie Boggs, Grand Canyon Vice President of Athletics
“Ryan is one of the best in the business. He is a culture-builder, a strategic thinker, and a selfless, humble leader. He will invest in the people and community at Louisiana Tech and he will move every area forward. Congratulations on an outstanding hire.”
Jeremy McClain, Southern Miss Director of Athletics
“Congratulations to Ryan and Louisiana Tech … this is a great hire for all involved! Ryan Ivey is one of the most genuine leaders in our industry and will positively impact everyone around him. His track record of success at multiple institutions speaks for itself, and that experience will allow him to be a difference maker in Ruston.”
Graham Neff, Clemson Director of Athletics
“I could not be more excited for Ryan and the LA Tech Family – a perfect fit! Ryan’s reputation as an innovator that ‘gets it done’ will be invaluable leadership for the Bulldogs. I am very proud and happy for the Ivey’s.”
Wren Baker, West Virginia Vice President and Director of Athletics
“I have known Ryan Ivey for many years and have been very impressed with his
incredible track record of building successful programs and leading with integrity. He is respected throughout intercollegiate athletics and has proven to be particularly successful at hiring talented coaches and administrators. Louisiana Tech is a tradition-rich program and I look forward to watching Ryan help add to the storied history at LA Tech.”
Brent Jones, Troy Director of Athletics
“I am extremely happy for Ryan on being appointed Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech. LA Tech has an illustrious history of success and Ryan is the right person at the right time to lead Bulldog Athletics into the future of intercollegiate athletics. I have known Ryan personally for almost 20 years and he is a man of character, integrity, vision, and passion. He will do an amazing job and continue to build upon the great work of Eric Wood and Tommy McClelland.”
