University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Native Lacy Prejean Named Assistant Coach
10/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004
LAFAYETTE - Louisiana's Ragin
Cajuns softball program has added one of Acadiana's
homegrown stars to its coaching staff for the 2005
season.
Head coach Stefni Lotief and co-head coach Michael Lotief announced Wednesday the addition of former University of Alabama standout catcher and Scott native Lacy Prejean as the program's assistant coach.
"We needed to add a full-time coach with College World Series experience to help us with the growing demands of our program,” Stefni Lotief said. “She knows what it takes to win championships and displays the same energy, passion, enthusiasm, intensity and work-ethic, while coaching, that she did as a player."
Prejean, who earned a bachelor's degree in business from Alabama in May of 2003, was an all-SEC performer all four seasons with the Crimson Tide. She started in all but seven games during her career.
She was the starting catcher for UA and led them to the Women's College World Series her freshman year (2000) and was there again in 2003, the same year the Ragin Cajun softball team made its fourth appearance.
During her senior season she posted a career-best for homeruns (10), doubles (10), RBI (35) and hits (35). She hit an impressive .349 with five homeruns and 21 RBI during SEC play and was rewarded with First Team All-SEC honors.
The 2000 SEC Freshman of the Year, Prejean was invited to participate in the 2002 USA National Team Camp following her junior season.
"Coach Prejean proved during her playing days that she was one of the best players in the country,” Stefni Lotief said. “As a catcher, she was involved in all phases of the game - calling pitches, directing the defense, handling the pitching staff, scouting opponents.
“Her in-depth knowledge of the game makes her transition to coaching very easy,” Lotief added. “It is exciting for us to now help players that we have coached stay in the game and become coaches and pass on the life lessons to a new generation of players."
Prejean prepped at Carencro High School where she was an All-District catcher as a freshman and played ASA softball for the Louisiana Image under Stefni Lotief.
"Lafayette is my home,” Prejean said. “This is where I want to be and coaching is what I want to do. It is a dream come true to be able to start my college coaching career with one of the top teams in the country and to be able to learn the coaching aspects of the game from the best and people who are like family to me."
"I am presently implementing a series of developmental clinics through the university, as well as a Thanksgiving and Christmas camp, to help any softball player out there who wants to get better and learn new skills."
According to Lotief, many thanks goes to the University and the community for their continued support of the softball program.
"I would personally like to thank Dr. Authement and Nelson Schexnayder for making this happen and all of our sponsors and people in this community for continuing to financially support the needs of this program, " Lotief said. "We have an awesome group of young ladies this year who are very appreciative for all you do. 2005 will be another exciting year for Ragin Cajuns softball."
Lacy is the daughter of John Wayne and Becky Prejean of Scott. She has two brothers Jake (John Wayne, Jr.) who served in our armed forces as a marine, Ashton who is 11 years old and a sister Monique that is a junior at Teurlings Catholic High School.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
