B&G Restaurateurs Donate to Nicholls State University Athletics

A sizable donation from two Morgan City restaurateurs is set to benefit over 350 student-athletes at Nicholls State University, according to a news release from the school.

Brenda and Gregory Hamer Sr, owners and operators of B&G Food Enterprises, have donated $100,000 to Nicholls State University Athletics. The Hamer family has a history within the Thibodaux and Houma region and with Nicholls State University itself, as their grandson, Garret LeBlanc, is a former Nicholls Football player.

Hillary Charpentier, director of the Colonel Athletic Association, said of the Hammers’ donation, “as the lowest funded school in the Southland Conference, donor dollars allow Nicholls Athletics to compete on the same or higher level than our peer institutions. Support like this has a direct impact on all student-athletes here at Nicholls. Our student-athletes must receive the support they need to compete and succeed at the highest level both on and off the field.”

Previously in 2021, the Hamers had donated $50,000 to the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute so that state-of-the-art kitchen and cooking equipment could be purchased and maintained for Nicholls Students. As a result, the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute’s student lounge and culinary library was named the Gregory and Brenda Hamer Family/Taco Bell Student Lounge and Research Center. Gregory Hamer Jr, the couple’s son, was in the first graduation class of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.

Gregory Hamer Sr. remarked to Nicholls press that he and his wife had plenty of reasons to support the university in saying, “we have one grandson who played for the football team, and we have another who plays for them now. We also have businesses in Morgan City, Thibodaux, Houma, and Matthews. It just makes sense for us to support Nicholls. We’ve been proud to support this university for years, and we’re happy to be able to help them with this incredible facility.”

As a sign of their appreciation, Nicholls Athletics has proposed that the Tight Ends Meeting Room be named after the Hamer’s grandson and former Nicholls Football player, Garret LeBlanc, and their business, B&G Enterprises, pending approval from the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

The naming within the Boucvalt Family Athletic Complex is a part of a naming campaign that began in 2020 to raise money for current and future needs within Nicholls Athletics. The campaign’s initial goal was to name all areas within the facility, and each may be named after an individual, family, or business as per the guidelines set forth by the state of Louisiana, Nicholls State University, and the Donor Gifts Agreement. Funds accumulated from the naming campaign are used as both an endowment and for upkeep and maintenance within the athletic department.

Nicholls Athletic Director, Jonathan Terrell, commented on the recent donation by saying, “every student-athlete benefits from this. For them to be able to give from the heart is incredible because of how many people it’s going to help. We have this excellent new building, and with these dollars will be able to keep it in the best shape possible.”

B&G Food Enterprises, which was initially created in 1982 by the Hamers when they opened their first Taco Bell location in Morgan City, now operates over 150 Taco Bell locations across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and is the largest Taco Bell franchise in Louisiana. Gregory Hamer Sr. is a Trustee of the National Restaurant Associationand the past chairman of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Hamer Sr. also served as the president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association and was elected to the association’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

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Nicholls State Announces New Interim Athletics Director

Matt Roan, the current interim Director of Athletics at Nicholls State University, has accepted the position of Vice President and Director of Athletics at Eastern Kentucky University. Replacing him will be Lindsey McKaskle, who is currently the executive associate athletics director for internal affairs.  Roan will remain in his position at Nicholls State University until the end of January.

Nicholls State University President, Dr. Jay Clune, states; “Matt has done a phenomenal job for Nicholls State University and our student-athletes, and I know Lindsey will continue that trend. We are going to conduct a national search to find the individual who meets our university values and can continue to build upon the positive momentum in the classroom and on the field.”

In her current role, Lindsey McKaskle oversees internal affairs including compliance, reporting, academic services, sports performance, facilities, equipment, and game day experience. She also serves as a senior woman administrator.

McKaskle joined the Nicholls State University athletics department team in June of 2017. Originally from West Monroe, Louisiana, McKaskle joined Nicholls after working with Roan at Eastern Kentucky University. While she was at Eastern Kentucky University, she was the assistant athletic director for compliance and student success, as well as a senior woman administrator.

Lindsey McKaskle earned a bachelor’s in sociology in 2003 from Louisiana College and was also a four-year letter winner for the softball team. She then went on to earn her master’s in sports administration from Belmont University in 2009. Before being hired at Eastern Kentucky University, she has served as a compliance intern at Belmont and Vanderbilt.

Matt Roan was hired initially as athletic director at Nicholls State University in 2016. Ever since, he has led Nicholls Athletics to achievements on and off the field, including:

– Record-breaking GPA and retention rates of student-athletes

– Conference championships in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball and football

– NCAA postseason appearances in football and women’s basketball

– Landed the largest donation in school history for the Barker Hall Expansion Project

– Added beach volleyball to the competitive slate and reinstated indoor and outdoor men’s track and field

“Matt has been a driving force in the success and momentum we have seen in community support both on- and off-campus,” Clune said. “We will certainly miss him and his family, but we wish him the best at Eastern Kentucky University.”

Dr. Clune added; “We have a succession plan. I have complete confidence and trust in Lindsey McKaskle to do the job, as I do in our coaches and athletic staff to do their jobs. It will be business as usual over the next several months as we notch more victories and hopefully win more championships.”

Nicholls State University is a student-centered regional institution located in Thibodaux, Louisiana. They offer accredited degree programs and unique learning experiences with a goal to prepare their students for life beyond the classroom and to have a successful career. They are dedicated to the education of their diverse student body while also providing a rich cultural and educational environment.

“Nicholls supports the educational, cultural, and economic needs of its service region and cultivated productive, responsible, and engaged citizens.”

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