More Than a Game

It wasn’t that long ago that Lake Charles was a college basketball wasteland. 

Few people noticed when McNeese played either at home or away.

They notice now.

A big part of that is Will Wade and his Cowboys. The team has won 55 games in the last two seasons and counting. It’s been an amazing turnaround, but it began long before that. It all started when McNeese landed the Southland Conference basketball tournament at the end of the season. And, while the Cowboys struggled the first year, things have turned around.

The tournament returns to the Legacy Center starting Sunday night with the Cowboys, the heavy favorites to repeat as champs for the first time in program history. With that, they would capture their second straight NCAA Tournament bid.

Thanks to winning the league’s regular season, McNeese won’t play until Tuesday night at 6 p.m. 

“It’s tournament time,” said Wade. “This is the fun time. This is the best time of the basketball season.”

There is pressure on McNeese now. A 25-6 record with 21 wins over the last 22 games puts a target on the team’s back. It’s the Cowboys’ tournament to lose. 

Either way, Lake Charles, McNeese and area basketball fans will once again be the winners.

Bringing the tournament to McNeese has been a boom for everybody. It’s been good for the city, local businesses and university branding, which desperately needed a makeover.

It’s also helped the Southland.

“It has worked out well for us,” says SLC Commissioner Chris Grant. “McNeese and Lake Charles have been great partners for our league.”

Over five days, 16 teams come to town to battle for the men’s and women’s championships. Also on the line is the league’s lone NCAA Tournament bid for each, so interest is high.

ESPN will broadcast the McNeese semifinal game and championship of the men’s tournament on one of its networks, giving valuable exposure to both the university and the Lake Area.

The move to bring the tournament here was the result of a deal between Grant and McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer. 

Schroyer, a former Cowboys head basketball coach, was trying to help rebuild his department and facilities after Hurricane Laura.

“When I negotiated the deal to bring the SLC Basketball Tournament here, it was because I wanted to give back to this community when we were rebuilding from the hurricanes,” said Schroyer. “I think we have the perfect city to host the tournament. We’re a destination spot and centrally located. 

“I think the tournament brings regional exposure and national attention to McNeese and Southwest Louisiana. It helps grow our university’s brand like nothing else can.

“Hosting the SLC tournament has had an economic impact in the millions.”

That and winning have also helped.

All of this came at a time when the area and McNeese were suffering greatly.

Now the tournament returns and McNeese has the opportunity to make history on its home court. 

This deal has worked out well for the Cowboys and their fans.