ULM BaseballRecruiting Guide

A Rich Tradition of Excellence

ULM Baseball has enjoyed more than 50 yearsof excellence thanks to its outstanding players and coaches,

who have molded the program into one of the finest in the nation. This elite program has continued to produce championship teams,

world-class athletes and memorable moments,such as winning the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Championship.

In all, four NCAA Regional Appearances, 13 conference championships, and a NAIA District Championship only scratches the surface.

The program has established itself as a champion, and has grown into a family united by a great sense

of pride and enthusiasm for Warhawk Baseball.

Established by academic, athletic, and personal integrity, ULM enters another season with more than 1,230 wins all-time.

Both are significant achievements that rank the Warhawks among the best in the nation.

Through ULM’s commitment to its athletes on the field and in the classroom, this program will continue to produce

leaders of tomorrow, young men ready to make a profound impact on the future.

THIS IS ULM WARHAWK BASEBALL

This isULM WARHAWK

Baseball

ACADEMICEXCELLENCE

TASHA FISHERAssistant Athletic

Director - Academics

DR KATHY PARKERCoordinator of

Academic Counseling

BRANDY BRADLEYAcademic Counselor

MAURICE NELSONAcademic Counselor

The coaching staff’s influence on ULM Baseball goes beyond the Warhawks’ achievements on the playing field. The primary ingredient in the ULM’s winning formula is a commitment to the educa-tion and emotional development of its players. The scholastic progress of the players is closely moni-tored by both the coaching staff and the counsel-ors in ULM’s Student Success Center. Those players who do leave early for the professional ranks, often return to ULM to finish their degrees.

The ULM Student Athlete Services program focus-es on five areas of commitment:

• ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Academic counseling and assessment, time management, study skills, tutorial assistance, study halls, scholarship appli-cations, communication skills, mentor programs, awards, honors, and recognitions• ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE: Broad athletic pro-grams, quality facilities and equipment, coaching and support staff, competitive scheduling, media relations and exposure, athletic training and health care, spirit groups, and administrative support• CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Career counseling, applying and interviewing for jobs, networking,

placement, summer and vacation employment, graduate school, and internships• PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Social develop-ment, personal health, alcohol and drug education, fundamental values, ethics awareness, values clari-fication, emotional health, support groups, stress management, spiritual needs, peer counseling, and fiscal responsibility• SERVICE: Active community outreach participa-tion, volunteer work in schools and the commu-nity, leadership training, and citizenship

The ULM baseball program has a colorful history of success in the Gulf States Conference, Southland Conference, and Sun Belt Conference. Throughout its 50-plus years, the Warhawks have earned 13 conference championships. During its 24 years within the Southland Conference, the Warhawks accumulated six conference championships and 669 vic-tories (27.8 victories per season).

ULM’s transition into the Sun Belt has been a success, as the Warhawks captured the regular season conference title in just their second season. This past year ULM did the unthinkable after earning the seventh seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Warhawks exploded for 38 runs in five games, before eventually falling in the championship game.

CHAMPIONSHIPPEDIGREE

NCAAPOSTSEASON

Winning conference championships is always a goal of each baseball program across the coun-try, but the ultimate goal is to make it to the NCAA Regionals and have a shot at winning the NCAA College World Series.

ULM has accomplished its goal on four differ-ent occasions and recently made a trip to the postseason tournament in 2000. The Warhawks most memorable victory in the NCAA Regional was during the 2000 season, as they earned a 10-4 victory over in-state rival New Orleans.

During their unforgettable victory over the Privateers, the Warhawk offense clicked on all cylinders, as they pounded out 16 hits, includ-ing three doubles, two home runs, and a triple. While the offense was getting the job done, Kevin Orga was shutting down New Orleans on the mound. Orga finished with a complete game seven-hit victory. He also struck out 11 batters and allowed just four runs in the win.

The Warhawks also earned a ticket to the NCAA Regionals in ‘83, ‘95, and ‘99. ULM has played such national powerhouses in the postseason as Texas, LSU, and Cal-State Fullerton. All four of the Warhawks appearances in the NCAA Re-gionals have come at historic ballparks such as LSU’s Alex Box Stadium and Texas’ Disch-Falk Field. Each season the Warhawks look to add their names to the list of all-time great players and teams to have played in postseason.

WarhawkFIELD

The ULM baseball team has called Warhawk Field home for over 25 years. Since its inception in 1983, the Warhawks have won over 65 percent of their games at the plate. In fact, in its 27-year history, Warhawk Field has witnessed just four losing seasons and just one since 1994. The stadium has also exceeded capacity on seven different occasions.

The complex hosts the offices of the ULM baseball staff and the 1,800-seat structure also features indoor and outdoor batting cages, an indoor pitching mound, and its own training facilities.

Warhawk Field is one of the most unique baseball facilities in the country making games at ULM fun for the entire family. With picnic and tailgate areas for fans down both lines, as well as a children’s playground built prior to the 2008 season, game days at Warhawk Field provide a family friendly baseball atmosphere.

The combination of facilities, atmosphere, and fan activity make Warhawk Field one of the nation’s best venues to watch a collegiate baseball game.

WarhawkFIELD

Top Attendances (Over Capacity)

1. April 26, 2001 vs. LSU ........................................ 4,6352. April 23, 2002 vs. LSU ........................................ 4,4013. March 26, 1997 vs. LSU..................................... 4,3714. May 11, 1999 vs. LSU ......................................... 3,8765. April 1, 2009 vs. Mississippi State ................. 3,673

The all-time total number of fans to ever watch ULM at Warhawk Field.

The average number of wins ULM has earned each season since the year 2000.

ULM has tallied eight seasons of 20 or more wins since the program began.

ULM’s winning percentage at Warhawk Field since 2000.

Coach Schexnaider’s winning percentage against Sun Belt foes at Warhawk Field.

.651

30.4

20+

354,855

.636

The ULM baseball program has seen a steady increase in media exposure from print, Internet, radio, and television media outlets at the regional and national level since becoming a member of Sun Belt Conference in 2006. ULM’s exposure continues to grow and become stronger.

Through the league’s partnership with national sports outlets over the years, includ-ing the ESPN family of networks and Cox Sports, ULM has continually been among the more visible baseball programs in the south.

The baseball program also has been featured in national publications, including major newspapers and national news websites.

While television and print exposure having also been on the rise, so too have broad-casts over the airwaves, thanks in part to The Radio People’s coverage of ULM baseball in the Monroe area and into parts of surrounding states, as well as via the internet.

ulmwarhawks.com, the official website for ULM Athletics, provides up-to-date infor-mation, live statistics, notes packages, game and season statistics, video and audio, as well as fan-oriented areas.

MEDIA EXPOSURE

SPECIAL EVENTSGame Day

In addition to withnessing a quality game on the field, fans attending Warhawk games have the chance to see a special event or promotion. Each season the ULM athletic department, in conjunc-tion with its marketing personnel, give the fans something special to see.

In 2008, the Warhawks were apart of two special game day events that not only helped local chari-ties, but touched all of those involved and in atten-dance. During a non-conference game, ULM wore special military themed jersey’s and auctioned off the game-worn uniforms following the game.

ULM is also known for having a Hogs at the Park day to support the fight against cancer. In addi-tion, it is not uncommon to see fans donating large amounts of canned foods for local people in need.

WarhawksIN MLB

The ULM baseball program has a lasting legacy with Major League Baseball that spans both the Warhawks and the league’s long history.

Two ULM players have had their numbers retired at Warhawk Field. Those players were also top draft picks - Chuck Finley (4th pick - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 1985) and Ben Sheets (10th pick - Mil-waukee Brewers, 1999). In addition, ULM has retired Lou St. Amant’s number (ULM’s all-time winningest coach).

Since 1952, the ULM baseball program has had players selected 65 times in the MLB draft. Over half of the Warhawks that have signed professional contracts have been pitchers, including some of the team’s most famous alumni. Terry Mathews, Chuck Finley and Ben Sheets established themselves while playing at Warhawk Field.

ALL-AMERICANS

Since its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1983, the ULM baseball program has had a recent history of success on the playing field. That success has been rewarded in the form of numerous All-American hon-ors.

In all, 17 players have earned 33 All-American honors. Ben Sheets and Ben Soignier lead all Warhawk players with a total of five All-American honors. Sheets and Matt Green are the only players in ULM history to be named All-American by three different organizations.

Soignier earned Ping!Baseball and Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slug-ger honors in back-to-back seasons. Willie Core, Marvin Brosset, Kennny Holubec, and Mike Wombacher were named All-Americans at least two times during their playing careers.

The Warhawks also have had two players named to the ESPN The Maga-zine/College Sports Information Directors of American Academic All- American team. Brady Bryan is the only player to be named more than once, earning national recognition in 1989 and 1990.

These past All-Americans have layed the foundation for future Warhawk players. Their success has has created a standard of excellence that cur-rent and future Warhawks strive to achieve.

OlympicGOLD MEDAL

Ben Sheets has had one of the most illustrious careers of any ULM baseball player in its pro-gram history. Sheets, a product of St. Amant High School in Louisiana, was a relative un-known, until he decided upon then-Northeast Louisiana for his schooling and collegiate play-ing career.

It was at ULM where he thrived on the mound into the record books. Sheets was eventually a first round MLB draft pick.

While at ULM, Sheets emerged as a solidified ace during his freshman season, posting a 6-4 record. With his efforts he earned Freshman All-America honors.

Sheets’ most successful season was during his junior campaign when he posted 14 victories and 158 strikeouts. After his third season in a Warhawk uniform he was tabbed with several first team national honors by Baseball Ameri-ca, Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger, and American Baseball Coaches Association.

He was also named Southland Conference Pitch-er of the Year in 1999, as well as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association selection as the best pitcher in the state.

One of Sheets’ most impressive outings as a col-legiate student-athlete was 20-strikeout perfor-mance against Louisiana Tech.

Major League Baseball teams began to take no-tice of his pitching prowess and he was selected with the 10th overall pitch by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1999 MLB amateur draft.

The following year might be the most memo-rable as any for Sheets, as he made his profes-sional debut and earned an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. During the Olympics

WINNER

BEN SHEETS

he pitched 22 innings, fanned 11 batters, walked just one, and gave up 11 hits. Dur-ing the gold medal game, he struck out five and walked none in a 4-0 complete game winning effort.

During his eight seasons with the Brew-ers, he earned 86 victories in 221 ap-pearances and posted a 3.72 ERA. Sheets struck out over 1,200 batters and finished with a 3.85-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

On May 16, 2004, he shattered the Mil-waukee franchise single-game strikeout record with 18 Ks in a game against the Atlanta Braves. He went on to finish sec-ond that season in the National League with 264 strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA. Sheets also finished the year with an eye-pop-ping 8-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio after allowing just 32 free passes.

The 2008 season was also a memorable one for Sheets as he became the Brewers all-time strikeout leader and earned the nod as the starting pitcher for the Nation-al League in the All-Star Game.

After an illustrious career with Milwaukee, Sheets decided it was time for a change and signed with the Oakland Athletics in January, 2010.

L.A. AngelsHALL OF FAMER

Chuck Finley molded himself into one of the top pitchers in ULM history and that success led to a long and prosperous Major League career. The Monroe, Louisiana native used his longevity to pitch 19 season in the big leagues.

He is best known for his 14 years with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He also pitched three seasons with the Cleveland Indianans and one with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Throughout his memorable career he compiled 200 victories and a 3.85 ERA. Finley also struck out 2,610 batters, which ranks 23rd all-time in MLB history.

Finley’s career with the Angels was successful to say the least, as he posted back-to-back 18 win seasons in 1990 and 1991. He also posted a career best 2.40 ERA in 1990, his best single-season ERA.

Of the many MLB statistics, Finley is the only pitcher in its history to strikeout four batters in a single inning, a feat he accomplished on three different occasions. Finley was selected by the Angels with the 15th overall pick in the 1984 amateur draft, but didn’t sign. He was again picked by the Angels in the first round of the 1985 amateur draft.

On the mound, Finley is well known for his split finger pitch that fooled batters throughout his career.

In August of 2009, he was inducted in the An-gels Hall of Fame along with former teammate Brian Downing.

CHUCK FINLEY

THREE-TIMEAll-American

Ben Soignier is one of the most decorated ULM baseball student-athlete to every play for the program. The West Monroe, Louisiana, product is one of two players to ever be named a three-time All-American, by two different organizations dur-ing his playing career.

Soignier played his scholastic ball at West Mon-roe High School, ironically under the direction of current head coach Jeff Schexnaider. During his time as a Rebel, he was twice named an all-state selection and three times named all-district. During Soignier’s senior season he was honored with the highest high school award given in the state of Louisiana, Mr. Baseball. The accolades continued to pour in, as he was also named TPX All-American his senior season after leading West Monroe to the Class 5A State Championship.

Following his memorable career he chose the University of Alabama to play collegiality. After a season as a redshirt he decided to transfer to ULM with the hopes of great success. Prior to his sophomore season he found out that Schexnaid-er and himself would be reunited and lead the Warhawks to history.

It appeared that wherever Soignier was to play baseball, success was going to follow and people were going to take notice. During his freshman season as a Warhawk he led the team to 18 vic-tories, 12 in conference play, and he was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team.

Even though Soignier was receiving recognition from every direction, it wasn’t enough. In 2007, his sophomore season, the Warhawks improved by 11 victories, but again fell short of their goals as conference champions. In 2008, Soignier’s ju-nior season, it would all change. He was again named an All-American, but this time he would

lead ULM to the regular season Sun Belt Conference Championship. While the 2008 season was magical, the following year in 2009 built memories for the ages. The Warhawks finished the season as the No. 7 seed and made history as the second lowest seed to ever advance to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament title game.

Throughout Soignier’s storied career, the trophy case overflowed until his graduation from the program and the university. Among the many honors were his four All-American trophies, along with being named all-Louisiana and all-conference on three occasions. Soignier was twice selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, as a 22nd and 17th round selection.

BENSOIGNIER

Soignier By the Numbers

The number of victories Soignier was apart of in his four-year career.

The number of team records Soignier helped set while in a Warhawk uniform.

The number of single-season records Soignier holds at ULM -- runs scored, hits, total bases, and RBIs.

The number of career records Soignier holds at ULM -- at-bats, hits, doubles, and total bases.

The number of times Soignier was named an All-America player. He is one of two players in ULM history to hold this distinction.

4

22

4

113

3

WarhawksHEAD COACH

Charged with restoring a proud baseball tradition at ULM, head coach Jeff Schexnaider has done so with hard work, determination, and class. In his first three seasons he amassed 95 victories and was named 2008 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year after guiding his team to the regular season title that season.

He followed that success by leading the Warhawks to the 2009 Sun Belt Tournament Championship Game. Those two accomplishments are strengthened by the fact that his teams have posted the three highest home run totals in school history.

The offensive and defensive transformation under Schexnaider has been remarkable to say the least. Over the past two seasons ULM has posted the top two team batting averages, hits totals, RBI totals, dou-ble plays turned, two of the top three runs scored totals, two of the top three doubles totals, and two of the top four fielding percentage totals in school history.

Under his guidance Ben Soignier became one of the best players in ULM history and one of the best players in the NCAA. Soignier, who is one of two ULM three-time All-Americans, holds numerous ULM career records. Two Warhawks have also been selected in the Major League Baseball First Year Player’s Draft during Schexnaider’s career.

He took over the reigns of the Warhawk program midway through the 2006 campaign, coaching the final 42 games of the season. ULM start-ed the season 0-13 prior to Schexnaider taking control of the team. When he took charge of the program, the Warhawks went 18-24 over the course of the season.

His return to the program signaled the beginning of a new era for the ULM baseball program, not only on the field, but also with large scale improvements to Warhawk Field.

Since taking over as head coach, Schexnaider led improvements to the facility, which have included the creation of an outfield student section, improvements to both home and visitor dugouts, a three foot brick wall enclosing the playing field down both foul lines, new patio areas down both the right and left field lines, upgrades to the locker-rooms, a new exterior fence, and a children’s playground down the right-field line.

JEFFSCHEXNAIDER

SCHEXNAIDER BY THE NUMBERS

100Schexnaider is the third fastest coach in

ULM history to reach 100 victories

20The second most wins in a conference

season by a ULM head coach

11The highest increase in the number of

victories after taking over as head coach of ULM

6Number of times a player has been

drafted in MLB’s amateur draft

ULM’S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST

COACHLou St. Amant arrived at ULM in 1976 as an unknown to the north-east Louisiana area and left in 1993 as one of the most respected and ad-mired coaches in ULM history and in collegiate baseball. St. Amant came to ULM from Lutcher High School, where he led the Bulldogs to a 7AAA Louisiana State Championship. It took him just four seasons to return the Warhawk program to greatness. In 1982-83, his team finished with a 31-21 overall record and won the Southland Conference Title. The 1982-83 team was also the first team in program history to advance to the NCAA Regionals. Throughout his coaching career, St. Amant coached three CoSIDA Academic All-Ameri-cans and his teams remained in the top half of the Southland Confer-ence for most of his coaching career. After 18 seasons, he retired in 1993 with a career mark of 414-428-5, which included back-to-back titles and a trip to the NCAA Regionals. In 2000, St. Amant was inducted into the ULM Hall of Fame and today is the winningest coach in program history.

STUDENT-ATHLETEPREPARATION

The Warhawk baseball team strives to play at its peak level each and every game dur-ing the season. To do that, much prepara-tion, hard work and dedication is needed, to attain the high performance that is associated with ULM baseball each year. Physical preparation and conditioning is the foundation to that success.

Each player understands that offseason work is the stepping stone to the next season, and without hard work and dedi-cation, many hours of training and reha-bilitating, becoming a champion is impos-sible. The ULM Strength and Conditioning and Athletic Training Programs have two main goals – helping athletes to enhance their individual performance and aiding in the prevention of injuries.

The strength and conditioning staff prepares and implements a spe-cialized workout that concentrates on improving each players perfor-mance level. The program has been enhanced with the recent addi-tions of the strength and conditioning facility. Within the strength and conditioning center, student-athletes enjoy the benefits of a spacious, state-of-the-art workout area. The workout area features equipment from some of the leading manufacturers of training equipment in the nation. There are also a number of workout machines that target each of the major muscle groups in the body, along with dumbbells and car-diovascular equipment.

The ULM athletic training staff provides student-athletes with a com-prehensive Sports Medicine Program focused on prevention, treat-ment, and rehabilitation. The Warhawk athletes have an army of in-dividuals caring for their health and safety. Opening at 6:30 a.m. and remaining so until each student-athlete’s needs have been met, the sports medicine staff diligently takes care of needs ranging from taping and daily treatment, to major rehabilitations. In addition to the on-site staff, the ULM sports medicine team includes a partnership with the top health care professionals in the region, ensuring that the health needs of its student-athletes are given top priority.

WarhawkSPIRIT

WARHAWK NICKNAMECollege sports fans are hard pressed to find a nickname that is as unique and as tied to an athletic department as a Warhawk. The University of Louisiana at Monroe is one of two schools in the nation known as the Warhawks. Those who claim they are a Warhawk, do so with pride. ULM athletic teams were called the Indians before the current Warhawk nickname emerged five years ago.

SAY IT LOUD, SAY IT PROUDThe University of Louisiana at Monroe has a long and storied history. The rich tradition has given birth to some of the most recognized pageantry in all of col-lege athletics. The “ULM Fight Song” is a loyalty song that is sung before nearly every athletic event and at the end of many athletic and university functions.

Cheer for the Warhawks,With their fighting spirit bold.

We’ll keep our banners waving,the old maroon and gold.

Our battle cry rings to the sky,Our goal is victory.

But win or lose, we’ll stand by you,And ever loyal we will be.

AceTHE WARHAWK

THE RISE OF THE WARHAWKS When ULM made the move into the Sun Belt Conference, the athletic department’s transfor-mation was completed with the Warhawk mas-cot. The old Indian mascot was ceremonially honored and retired at the end of the previous athletic campaign and the ULM Warhawks were born. Unique to the program, ULM’s new moni-ker is the only one at the highest level of NCAA competition and one of only two Warhawks at any collegiate level in the entire nation.

ULM’s mascot provides fans with multiple points of pride to rally behind. The Warhawk mascot holds local historical connection to the P-40 ‘Warhawk 1’ airplane flown by northeast Loui-siana’s General Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers of WWII. The Warhawk is also symbolic of the red-shouldered hawk, a local predatory bird commonly found nesting along Bayou DeSiard and soaring above ULM’s athletic facilities year round.

Wearing a bomber jacket, flight helmet and goggles, Ace has provided a perfect representation of the dual meaning of ULM’s mascot.

Since their arrival, ACE and Warhawk 1 have become vital parts of the ULM com-munity. Including appearances at home athletic events and other activities around campus, the duo have rallied fans to help the Warhawks achieve victory. The pair also make appearances across the Monroe community, providing edu-cational opportunities for ULM’s youngest fans.

WARHAWKFALL CAMP

Each fall members of the ULM baseball pro-gram give back to the community with a base-ball camp. The instructional camp is designed to teach the local youth about the proper tech-niques in fielding, pitching, and hitting.

The affordable camp is a way for players and coaches to connect with members of the com-munity on a personal level outside of the game experience.

Since the inception of the camp it has grown three-fold and is now a multi-day event. Camp members also learn about the proper way to balance academics and athletics to become an all-around successful student-athlete.

BLOOD SERIES

The Blood Series, a tradition like none other in col-legiate baseball, takes place each fall in conjunction with the ULM baseball team’s Grand Slam Hacker’s Classic Golf Tournament.

The intra-squad scrimmage is a five-game series that gives fans a first look at the new team in a competi-tive environment. This past fall was the sixth annual event and the losing team donates blood to the Life-Share Blood Center in Monroe.

The Sun Belt was formed in 1976 with six members compet-ing in four men’s sports, and today comprises 13 institutions of higher learning while sponsoring 19 championship sports for men and women. The Sun Belt Conference enters its 34th season in 2009-10 with a proud history of athletic and academic success. The conference sponsors 10 women’s sports and nine men’s sports. Each of the 19 sports has seen numerous team and individual accomplishments, and nearly ev-ery Sun Belt Conference school is currently graduating its student-athletes at a rate higher than its re-spective school’s student body. All Sun Belt schools are committed to excellence in the 21st century, and facility upgrades and expansions are taking place on every campus. There was no shortage of suc-cess in the Sun Belt’s spring sports in 2009, either. In baseball, the Sun Belt Conference has sent multiple teams to the NCAA tournament

each year since 1988. The 21-year streak of having two or more teams reach NCAA play is matched by only four other conferences (ACC, Big West, SEC, Pac-10). Both Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee represented the league in the NCAA Baseball Championships in 2009. The conference continues to utilize television to grow and pro-mote the league and its member in-stitutions. The Sun Belt Conference signed a new multi-year agreement with ESPN, Inc. in January of 2009 that will result in unprecedented national coverage for the league. Additionally, ESPN televised the conference’s men’s basketball championship game for the 29th straight season in 2009, marking its longest affiliation with any confer-ence in the country. The conference’s regional tele-vision partnership with Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS) and Cox Sports Television (CST) enables live telecasts of Sun Belt events to reach millions of households. The

addition of volleyball, baseball and softball to the conference’s televi-sion package has resulted in more national and regional television exposure for the league than at any time in its history. The Sun Belt Conference has also partnered with JumpTV Sports, Inc. to deliver a full-service, custom-ized, public and premium website to provide fans with a broad range of real-time information and con-tent about the conference’s athletic teams. The Sun Belt is one of the few conferences in the nation to provide video highlights and fea-tures on its website from each of the league’s respective champion-ships. This technology serves as a great recruiting tool for schools by enabling anyone in the world with internet access to view the confer-ence’s championship events. Fans in five different countries viewed the conference’s most recent soccer championship.