Wake up from your daze, SWLA! Springtime is here, and you know what that means. Sports galore! Looking to see all that Southwest Louisiana has to offer? You can find it right here in Lake Charles. Whether you like the sound of devoted fans screaming in a basketball arena or the ‘ting’ of a metal bat hitting a baseball, this is the place to be. Filled with heart, culture, and a community like no other, Louisiana’s Playground is the sporting scene for you, your friends, and your family!
McNeese Basketball
Blue and Gold filled the room, and as the clock hit zero, Poke fans went crazy! For the second consecutive year the Bayou Bandits won the Southland Conference title and went dancing! The Pokes competed in the NCAA March Madness Championships in Providence, Rhode Island.
With an upsetting victory against Clemson at 69-67, the Pokes advanced to battle Purdue in the second round. Unfortunately, the Pokes winning streak came to an end against the Boilermakers, but the 2025 Bayou Bandit’s legacy will live on forever. With a first-ever NCAA tournament win and an insane amount of community support, the Pokes are destined for continued success.
Amir “AURA” Khan, McNeese’s Men's Basketball manager, became the first student manager to solidify an NIL deal. He’s earned tons of notice over this past month, creating videos and even his own merchandise. Khan has made partnerships with Buffalo Wild Wings, Insomnia Cookies, Tick Pick and more, and now he’s said to have over $100K in NIL deals. Way to put Lake Charles on the map!
On the Diamond
McNeese Baseball is gearing up for a full and exciting spring schedule with games against Southern University, New Orleans University and Louisiana State University.
McNeese Softball is preparing to dominate against all their opponents this spring. Get your front row seats now while you still have time. Check out the Cowgirls’ softball schedule here.
The LHSAA softball and baseball tournaments are both set for this May in Sulphur. High School players from across Louisiana will compete for the state title. The softball tournament will be on May 2-3, 2025 at the Frasch Park Softball Complex and the baseball tournament May 13-17, 2025 at McMurry Park in Sulphur. As two of the biggest events of the year, it's about to be a wild run for all these teams.
More sporting events and details can be found on our calendar of events! For the need-to-know information, big-game updates, and successes of the sporting world in SWLA, be sure to check out Where Champions are Crowned, released on the first of each month on visitlakecharles.org. Let’s Play!
