UL Monroe Warhawks

General Information 

NCAA Division: Division I
Conference: Sun Belt Conference
Past Conferences: Gulf States Conference, Southland Conference, Trans America Athletic Conference
City: Monroe, Louisiana
Arena: Fant-Ewing Coliseum
NCAA Tournaments: 7 (1982, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996) 

Championships:

National Championships: None
Conference Titles: 10 (1962, 1965, 1980, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997)

Team History

The Louisiana Monroe basketball program began in the 1951-52 season and the Warhawks struggled coming out of the gate, going just 8-33 in the team’s first two seasons under coach Cary Phillips. Arnold Kilpatrick took over the program in 1953-54 and led the team to respectability, posting a 58-52 mark before turning over the team to coach Lenny Fant in 1957-58 and the Warhawks took a turn for the better.

The Warhawks won their first Gulf States Conference title in 1962 and repeated the feat in 1965. Louisiana Monroe advanced to the NAIA Tournament in 1970 and Fant was the man to lead the team through the transition to Division I in 1973-74. Fant stepped down at the end of the 1978-79 season, ending his long run with a 326-221 record. Benny Hollis coached the Warhawks to a 33-23 record the next two seasons and assistant coach Mike Vining was promoted to head coach for the 1981-82 season.

It didn’t take Vining long to make his mark as head coach, leading the Warhawks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season. After a three-year postseason absence, Louisiana Monroe made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances between 1990-93, but as a No. 15 seed each time, the Warhawks were unable to break into the win column. Louisiana Monroe had one more NCAA Tournament appearance under Vining, falling in the first round in the 1996 tournament.

Vining stepped down after the 2004-05 season with a 401-303 record. He was replaced by Orlando Early, who posted just one winning season in five seasons. Keith Richard became head coach for the 2010-11 season and Monroe struggled his first four seasons, going 24-90, before posting back-to-back 20-win seasons, which earned the team CBI and CIT invites. The Warhawks last competed in the postseason in the 2019 CIT.

Louisiana Monroe Warhawks All-Time Records 

• Points Scored

  • Calvin Natt, 2,581
  • Anthony Jones, 1,817
  • Travis Minnings, 1,722

• Rebounds

  • Calvin Natt, 1,285
  • Travis Munnings, 956
  • Terry Martin, 822

• Assists

  • Nick Coppola, 555
  • Bobby Joe Douglas, 341
  • Tony Hooper, 339

FAQs

Has Louisiana Monroe had any players drafted by NBA teams?

The school has seen eight players drafted by NBA teams, with Calvin Natt the only player selected in the first round when he was taken No. 8 overall by the New Jersey Nets in 1979. His younger brother Kenny Natt was the school’s second-highest draft choice, as he was taken No. 30 overall by Indiana in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft.

When did Louisiana Monroe become the Warhawks?

After having the Indians nickname for 75 years, Louisiana Monroe became the Warhawks in 2006 after the NCAA enforced regulations against Native American mascots. University President James E. Cofer Sr. chose Warhawks instead of Bayou Gators and Bayou Hawks.

What are the most combined points the Natt brothers had playing for the Ragin’ Cajuns?

The Natt brothers combined for 48 points in the team’s 90-75 victory at Nichols State on Dec. 21, 1976. Calvin Natt had 36 points and 14 rebounds, while Kenny Natt added 12 points in the game.