(2)
Naquin Conditioning Center Dedicated
Contact: Rene Abadie
9/4/09
Click on thumbnail for high resolution photo
(1) Hammond businessman Ray Naquin cuts the ribbon officially dedicating the Naquin Strength and Conditioning Center at Southeastern Louisiana University. Participating in the event are, from left, strength and conditioning coach Scott Reeves, Marcus Naquin, Interim Athletic Director Tim Baldwin, Naquin and his wife Ruth, Michelle Naquin Cartier, Southeastern President John L. Crain, and Anna Woodall, assistant to the athletic director.
(2) Southeastern strength and conditioning coach Scott Reeves demonstrates a conditioning technique in the newly dedicated Naquin Strength and Conditioning Center. Observing are, from left, Southeastern President John L. Crain, Athletic Director Tim Baldwin and Hammond businessman Ray Naquin.
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University cut the ribbon Thursday (Sept. 3) to officially dedicate the Naquin Strength and Conditioning Center, the latest addition to the university’s athletic facilities.
With a lead gift donated by Southeastern alumni Ray and Ruth Naquin, construction of the 6,000-square foot facility was funded entirely through private donations. The center is being used by the student-athletes on all of the university’s 15 intercollegiate men’s and women’s teams. Decked out in the university colors of green and gold, the center is located next to Strawberry Stadium and the Dugas Athletic Center building.
Southeastern President John L. Crain said the Naquin family supports the university and community in every way. “The saying, ‘Put your money where your mouth is,’ epitomizes the Naquins,” Crain said. “Ray and the Naquin family believe if something is important, then you should do something about it, not just talk about doing so. The Naquin family’s philanthropy not only benefits Lion athletics and Southeastern, but also the Hammond community as a whole. We are extremely proud to add the Naquin family name to this facility.”
Naquin noted that Southeastern has grown and changed tremendously from when he first started at the university in 1952 as a freshman from Thibodaux. After playing on the football team in 1952 and 1953, he entered military service and returned to Southeastern to graduate in 1958.
“It gives me a great deal of warmth, pride and satisfaction to be a part of Southeastern and what it is doing for the area,” Naquin added.
Prior to the opening of the Naquin Center, student-athletes worked out in the university’s Recreation Center, a building built in 1940 and affectionately known as the “Old Men’s Gym, which operated with no air conditioning.”
“It’s huge what this new center has meant to our players,” said Scott Reeves, head strength and conditioning coach. “The air conditioning alone is a tremendous boost to the ability to maximize their training and conditioning.
“Our student-athletes really appreciate this facility,” he added, “and see it as support from the community and the university for our programs. They see it as a privilege to be able to work out in a center like this.”
More News...
