Some sad news to report to start.
Arthur James, the only Lion to ever have his number retired in program history and the best running back in the history Lion Football and arguably the Lone Star Conference, passed away Sunday Night. The past 365 days have been rough seeing so many legendary Lions pass away.
James was the star running back for the Lions from 1966-1969 and is the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,285), rushing attempts (884), yards per game (112.8) and all-purpose yards (6,317). He also holds the school’s season record for all-purpose yards (2,028 in 1969) and holds the record for most rushing yards in a single game (323 vs. Abilene Christian, 9/21/1968). During his career, James was a five-time All-America selection, including a two-time NAIA First Team All-America selection. He was named the 1968 Lone Star Conference Outstanding Back of the Year and was a three-time First Team All-LSC selection. James led the LSC in rushing yards in 1967, 1968 and 1969. He rushed for more than 200 yards in five different games. He finished his collegiate career as the all-time leading rusher in LSC history. He was elected into the Lion Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979 and was named to the 75th Anniversary All-LSC team. He was inducted into the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor in 2008.
Here is James’s obituary-
And here is Visitation and Funeral Information-
Saturday
February 23, 2019
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
New Covenant Faith Baptist Church
2233 12th Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Saturday
February 23, 2019
12:00 PM
New Covenant Faith Baptist Church
2233 12th Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Please stay in prayer for the James family.
Softball-
Congrats to Softball Coach Richie Bruister who picked up his 500th career win and and the 9th ranked Lions pushed their record to a 12-1 record defeating Midwestern State in a double header and knocking off 20th ranked Arkansas Tech twice. The Lions face Texas A&M-International today in a double header in Commerce, and then take a trip to the Permian Basin to face UTPB for one game on Friday and Double Header on Saturday.
Track & Field-
Both the Men and Women took 3rd place at the LSC Indoor titles. It was a heartbreaker for the Women, who led the field heading into the final day, but West Texas took both Men’s and Women’s titles. The following won LSC individual titles in their respective events.
Men’s Shot Put – Josh Boateng – 17.69m (58-0 ½)
Women’s 400 Meter Dash – Minna Svaerd – 54.88 (Meet & School Record)
Men’s 400 Meter Dash – Rashard Clark – 47.12
Men’s 200 Meter Dash – Rashard Clark – 21.09 (School Record)
Men’s 4×400 Meter Dash – Gabriel Peterson, D’Lance Sharp, Stadrian Taylor, Rashard Clark – 3:11.40
Women’s Pole Vault – Minna Svaerd – 3.78m (12-4 ¾) (Meet Record)
The Final Indoor Meet of the season is slated for March 8th-9th at Pittsburg State University at the NCAA Division II National Titles. The first outdoor meet will be the East Texas Quad at Memorial Stadium in Commerce on March 22nd to kick off the Outdoor season.
Women’s Hoops-
With a 16-8 record and an 11-5 conference record, Jason Burton’s squad finds themselves with a HUGE weekend before heading the LSC tournament. The Women will face Eastern New Mexico Thursday Night and host 17th ranked West Texas A&M Saturday for Senior Day. The Lions lost by an average of 9 points to both schools. Though a regular season title now seems out of touch, an LSC Conference title looks to be what is needed in order to notched a D2 tournament invite. The Lions will then face UT-Permian Basin and Western New Mexico, both on the road, before the LSC Tournament in Frisco March 7-9.
Men’s Hoops-
At 19-5 and 11-3 in LSC play, like their Women Counterparts, the Men face a huge week. A tilt with Eastern New Mexico Thursday night in Commerce, and then a huge game against 4th ranked West Texas A&M on Saturday. Both will be challenges at the Lions fell behind Eastern in their first game before mounting a furious rally to win 112-99, and then face a West Texas team that is strong and getting stronger, and a team the Lions dropped a 21 point loss to back in December. Show up for the final home game of the year and for Senior Day. The Lions will face UT-Permian Basin and Western New Mexico on the road to close out the regular season.
The Lion Wire 