Nicholls Colonels
The Nicholls Colonels are the 15 teams representing Nicholls State University, a university in Louisiana, in intercollegiate athletics. The Colonels compete in the NCAA 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.
Nickname
The Nicholls State University official team nickname is the "Colonels". The nickname was chosen because the university was once a ROTC dominated school and the highest rank in ROTC is a Colonel.History
Conference affiliations
Sports sponsored
Baseball
The team is the varsity intercollegiate baseball team of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. The team is a member of the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first baseball team was fielded in 1960. The team plays its home games at 2,100-seat Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field and are coached by Brent Haring.Men's basketball
The 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 NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first men's basketball team was fielded during the 1958–59 season. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gymnasium and are coached by Tevon Saddler.Women's basketball
The 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 NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first women's basketball team was fielded during the 1974–75 season. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gymnasium and are coached by Justin Payne.Women's beach volleyball
The team represents Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. Nicholls launched its beach volleyball program in the 2019 season, and played its first season as an independent. The Colonels now compete in the Southland Conference, which added beach volleyball as an official conference sport for the 2020 season. The team plays its home matches at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex and the team is coached by Jonea Rima.Cross country
The 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 NCAA Division I. The teams host home meets at Nicholls Farm and are coached by Stefanie Slekis.Football
The 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' 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 Tommy Rybacki.Men's golf
The 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 NCAA Division I. The team plays their home tournaments at the LaTour Golf Club in Mathews, Louisiana and are currently led by head coach James Schilling.Women's soccer
The women's 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 NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first soccer team was fielded in 1998. The team played its home games at the 1,000-seat Nicholls Soccer Complex through the 2021 season. The Colonels moved to the multi-purpose field at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex in 2022. The team is coached by Kristy Helmers.Softball
The softball team participates in the Southland Conference. Nicholls first softball team was fielded in 1981. The team plays its home games at 500-seat Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park and are coached by Ron Frost.Tennis
Men's and Women's tennis currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Both men's and women's teams play their home matches at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex starting in 2022 after previously playing at the Colonel Tennis Complex since 2008. The teams are coached by Greg Harkins.Women's track and field
The women's track and field program includes women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, both of which compete in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The teams use the multi-purpose field and track facility at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex and are coached by Stefanie Slekis.Women's volleyball
The school's team currently competes in the Southland Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Nicholls' first volleyball team was fielded in 1975. The team plays its home games at 3,800-seat Stopher Gymnasium and are coached by Jonea Rima.Former varsity sports
- Women's golf — Dropped in 2009 due to budget constraints
- Men's track and field — Dropped in 2004 and replaced by men's tennis
Championships
Conference championships
;NotesAthletic facilities
The following is a list of the athletic facilities for the Nicholls Colonels. It includes Nicholls' outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas, golf courses, running courses, and training and practice facilities.Current venues
Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels football team of the Southland Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision. 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 the family holds the annual Manning Passing Academy football camp at the facility. In 2021, Nicholls State University opened the Boucvalt Family Athletic Complex located at the south end-zone of John L. Guidry Stadium featuring upgraded locker and training rooms, field-level coach offices, and a 110-seat meeting room. The current playing surface is GeoGreen Replicated Grass. The stadium was officially dedicated on September 16, 1972.- Boucvault Athletic Complex
- Gaubert Oil Practice Facility at Shaw Sports Turf/Manning Field
Stopher Gymnasium is a 3,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team. It opened in 1970.
Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field is a baseball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels baseball team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 2,100.
- LaTour Golf Club
Nicholls Farm is the home course for the Nicholls Colonels cross country teams in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is a 277-acre farm located three miles south of Nicholls’ campus.
- Nicholls Golf Range
Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park is a softball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is home to the Nicholls Colonels softball team of the NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The venue has a capacity of 500.
The Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex is a 12-acre sports complex located between Nicholls State University and the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center opening in 2022. The complex offers multiple sports facilities such as a beach volleyball courts, a multi-purpose field and track and tennis courts that meet NCAA national championship-level requirements and is home to Nicholls State University athletics sports teams.
- Frank L. Barker Athletic Building
- Leonard C. Chabert Strength and Conditioning Facility
Former venues
- Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild — Men's golf
- Colonel Tennis Complex — Men's and women's tennis
- Nicholls Soccer Complex — Women's soccer
- Nicholls State Colonels football practice fields — Football
- Shaver Gymnasium — Men's basketball
Nicholls Colonels traditions
Nicholls State University Alma Mater
The name of the "official" Alma Mater for Nicholls State University is "Nicholls State University Alma Mater."Nicholls Colonels Fight Song
The name of the "official" fight song for Nicholls State University is "Nicholls Colonels Fight Song."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 School Colors
The "official" school colors for Nicholls are red and gray.Nicholls Colonelettes and Colorguard
The Nicholls 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 Nicholls Colorguard performs at all home football games.
Nicholls Cheerleaders
The Nicholls Cheerleaders are the co-ed cheerleading squad for the Nicholls Colonels. The cheerleaders perform at football games, basketball games and pep rallies in addition to a number of public relations and charitable events each year.Rivalries
The Nicholls sports teams maintain a conference rivalry with the Southeastern Louisiana sports teams, but the main rivalry is in football where the teams compete in the annual River Bell Classic. The Nicholls sports teams also compete against conference rival Northwestern State and in football the teams play in the annual NSU Challenge.In football, Nicholls has a rivalry dating back to 1998 with the Texas State Bobcats. They compete irregularly for the Battle for the Paddle trophy.
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 Colonel Athletic Association is the fundraising organization for the Nicholls State University athletics department. The athletic association helps to provide support to Nicholls' student-athletes and also focuses on fundraising activities for facility enhancements and operating expenses.Athletic directors
''# denotes interim athletic director''Broadcast information
Nicholls Colonels Radio Network
The Nicholls Colonels Radio Network is the radio network of the Nicholls Colonels men's and women's sports teams. It consists of several radio stations throughout the state of Louisiana.The list of participating stations are:
- KLRZ 100.3 FM in Larose, Louisiana
- KLEB 1600 AM in Golden Meadow, Louisiana
- KNSU 91.5 FM in Thibodaux, Louisiana