RSS Feed

UPDATED WITH STORY: Patterson's Jennings signs with Mississippi College

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 4:15pm

Josiah Jennings did it all for Patterson High’s football team in 2022. Now Jennings will see what he can do for Mississippi College next year.

Jennings signed a letter of intent Friday to attend and play football for the Clinton, Mississippi, Baptist college.

“I’m really excited for him,” Patterson head coach Garrett Kreamer said. “He earned it. He’s been a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He’s been a leader for us.”

Patterson went 8-5 and reached the state Non-Select Division III quarterfinals in November. Jennings played a big role in the team’s success on both sides of the ball.

Jennings finished the year with 62 rushes for 339 yards and eight touchdowns. That’s as a running back.

As a tight end and occasionally a wide-out, he had 17 receptions for 200 yards and a TD.

Then there was his work at linebacker: 27 tackles, five for losses, 21 assists, two sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

“He was a tackling machine,” Kreamer said. “He made every tackle that came to him.

As much as for his stats, Jennings stood out for the intensity with which he plays.

That, Jennings said, was motivated by assistant coach Termaine Lightfoot.

“He told me, ‘Just be you, because I know you’ve got it,’” Jennings said.

“He’s definitely got that ‘it’ factor to him,” Kreamer said. “He’s just a dominant player out there on the field. We counted on him a lot.”

Jennings said he picked Mississippi College because of “how they treated my family and how they treated me.”

Mississippi College — the Chocktaws — relied heavily on the running game during a 4-7 2022 season in NCAA Division II’s Gulf South Conference.

Jennings appears likely to play at running back or H back, a receiver position similar to tight end but lining up in the backfield.

“He’s going to be a bruiser for them,” Kreamer said.

Jennings' mother and stepfather are Jarel Jones and Mark Jones Jr.. His grandparents are Johnel and Jennings Sr. and Etta Ruffin.

Arrests on weapon, heroin, cocaine charges reported

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 10:16am

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Morgan City police reported arrests on weapon and heroin charges, and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office booked a suspect on cocaine charges.

Morgan City

Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 112 calls for service over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Trampas John Lapoint, 35, Sun Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Thursday on charges of illegal carrying of a weapon, resisting an officer, remaining after forbidden and unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling.

--Fred Purnell Kenner, 36, Grace Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:17 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Dustin Paul Fitch, 35, Shady Grove, Patterson, was arrested at 3:59 p.m. Thursday on a charge of criminal damage to property.

--Randy Lee Hatcher, 44, Aucoin Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:53 p.m. Wednesday on charges of disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 62 complaints and made these arrests:

--Russell Thomas, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 1:05 a.m. Friday by the Narcotics Section on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, and on a warrant alleging criminal neglect of family.
Bail has not been set at this time.

--Jamie Dale Boudoin, 52, Scott, was arrested at 7:11 a.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on acharge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $65,341.79.

--Brian Joseph Delaune Jr., 37, Patterson, was arrested at 4:53 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging simple burglary and attempted theft. Delaune continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Bail has not been set for the additional charges.

--Mark Anthony Robin Jr., 38, Franklin, was arrested at 9:31 a.m. Thursday on charges of theft and possession of stolen things. Robin continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Bail has not been set for the additional charges.

--Brian Joseph Delaune Jr., 37, Patterson, was arrested at 1:31 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $65,341.79.

--Lacey Nicole Yates, 39, Patterson, was arrested at 3:53 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to maintain automobile liability insurance, and operating a vehicle with improper headlamps. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Heather Serenity Stone, 42, Lafayette, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of theft. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Tajh Jeon Guilbeau, 32, Lafayette, was arrested at 7:11 p.m. Wednesday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding; operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked, or canceled; and failure to stop or d at stop sign. Guilbeau was released on a $1,500 bond.

Morgan City police radio logs for Feb. 1-2

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 9:35am

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, callt 985-380-4605.
Wednesday, Feb. 1
6:20 a.m. 400 block of Brashear Avenue; Hit and run.
7:31 a.m. U.S. 90 West/Martin Luther King Boulevard; Suspicious vehicle.
7:41 a.m. 3100 block of Tammy Drive; Medical.
7:58 a.m. 800 block of Ditch Avenue; Fire.
8:14 a.m. 1700 block of Maple Street; Animal complaint.
9:03 a.m. 300 block of Greenwood Street ; Alarm.
10:08 a.m. 3000 block of Karen Drive; Assistance.
10:46 a.m. 1000 block of North Victor II Boulevard; Harassment.
10:55 a.m. 300 block of Grizzaffi Street; Animal complaint.
11:21 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Stand by.
11:52 a.m. 700 block of Bush Street; Complaint.
11:55 a.m. 1600 block of Mayon Street; Medical.
12:24 p.m. 800 block of North Everett Street; Subject removal.
12:32 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Stand by.
12:57 p.m. 400 block of Halsey Street; Animal complaint.
11:53 p.m. Hilda Street/Federal Avenue; Suspicious person.
2:35 p.m. 1800 block of Sixth Street; Theft.
4:10 p.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Complaint.
4:17 p.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
5:23 p.m. 3000 block of Keith Street; Theft.
5:27 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Complaint.
6:13 p.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Frequent patrol.
6:45 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Welfare check.
6:54 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Medical.
8:10 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
8:25 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Theft.
8:48 p.m. Railroad Avenue/Oak Street; Suspicious person.
8:57 p.m. Fourth/Arenz streets; Suspicious person.
9:05 p.m. 500 block of Garber Street; Frequent patrol.
9:44 p.m. Railroad Avenue/Martin Luther King Boulevard; Suspicious person.
9:46 p.m. 2100 block of Railroad Avenue; Suspicious person.
9:56 p.m. 100 block of First Street; 911 hang up.
10:05 p.m. Fourth/Freret streets; Suspicious person.
10:28 p.m. 200 block of Franklin Street; Disturbance.
11:11 p.m. 8300 block of La. 182; Medical.
Thursday, Feb. 2
12:50 a.m. Cherry Street; Suspicious person.
12:55 a.m. Federal Avenue/Hilda Street; Suspicious person.
1:11 a.m. Brashear/Federal avenues; Suspicious person.
1:21 a.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Suspicious person.
1:23 a.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious vehicle.
1:41 a.m. Railroad Avenue/Fifth Street; Suspicious person.
3:57 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
4:18 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Animal complaint.
4:31 a.m. 1900 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.

Valentine’s Day indulgence done devilishly right

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 9:33am

If asked to describe the favored foods of Valentine’s Day in a single word, “decadent” might prove the most apt descriptor. Foodies and non-foodies alike recognize that Valentine’s Day and chocolate are intertwined, making the day an ideal time to indulge in something decadent.
This Valentine’s Day, couples can share their love for decadent delights by working alongside one another to whip up this recipe for “Devil’s Food Layer Cake” from Elisabeth M. Prueitt and Chad Robertson’s “Tartine” (Chronicle Books).
DEVIL’S FOOD LAYER CAKE
Cake layers
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
4½ Tbsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1¼ cups cocoa powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2¾ cups sugar
5 large eggs
1¼ cups full-fat buttermilk
Chocolate Ganache
24 oz. or 32 oz. bittersweet chocolate
3 cups or 4 cups heavy cream
½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. caramel
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter and lightly flour the sides of two 9-inch cake pans, knocking out excess flour. Line bottom of each pan with parchment paper cut to fit exactly.
To make cake layers, sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt into a bowl and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter on medium-high speed until light and creamy. Slowly add sugar and continue to beat on medium-high until light in color and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until incorporated before adding the next egg.
Stop mixer and scrape down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in 3 equal batches alternately with buttermilk in 2 batches, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stop mixer, scrape down sides of the bowl and then mix again for another few seconds.
Divide cake batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Bake until the top springs back when lightly touched or a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cakes cool completely in pans set on a wire rack.
When cakes are cool, turn them out by inverting pans, and then turn cakes upright. Using a serrated knife, slice off the domed portion from the top of each cake to make tops flat. If you want to decorate the cake with crumbs, reserve the slices for making the crumbs.
To make crumbs, preheat oven to 250 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick liner. Break up cake slices and spread on the lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast until completely dry, about 1 hour.
Let cool completely, then transfer to a food processor or blender and process until finely ground. Sift the crumbs through a medium-mesh sieve. (Don’t use a sieve with fine mesh or the crumbs won’t pass through.) Set aside.
To make the ganache, place chocolate in a heatproof bowl, using the smaller amount of each ingredient if you will be decorating the cake with crumbs and the larger amount if you will not. Bring the cream to just under a boil in a small saucepan. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes without stirring until the chocolate is partially melted, and then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth and shiny.
To assemble cake, split each cake into 2 layers to make 4 layers in all. Transfer 1 layer to a serving plate.
Using an offset spatula, spread 3 tablespoons of caramel evenly over the cake layer. Spread a thin layer of ganache (about 1/4-inch thick) over the caramel. Repeat with each layer expect the top layer.
Refrigerate the cake until the center seems firm, 1 to 2 hours. Cover remaining ganache with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature for finishing the cake.
Remove the cake from the refrigerator.
Using the rest of the ganache, frost the top and sides of the cake with the offset spatula. If you are going to coat the cake with the toasted cake crumbs, the cake must be evenly frosted and the ganache must be soft enough for the crumbs to adhere. If the ganache has hardened, use a kitchen torch to soften it slightly, or put the whole cake into a 400 F oven for 10 seconds or so, just until the chocolate looks shiny.
Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the top of the cake, then tilt and turn the cake so that they spill over the sides, adhering to them as they fall. If you are using only the ganache and not the crumbs, the ganache will be thicker on both the top and sides.
Serve the cake at room temperature. To store, cover tightly and keep in a cool place for up to 4 days. It is not necessary to keep this cake in the refrigerator.
Yields 1 10-inch cake; 12 to 16 servings

John K Flores: Wrapping up the waterfowl season

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 9:31am

JOHN K. FLORES

Back in early November, when the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conducted their aerial waterfowl population estimate, you’d never thought that the words coming from Louisiana’s duck hunters would be “best season ever,” “strong season,” or “awesome season.”

The November estimate was the lowest since the survey began in 1968. Moreover, what most waterfowl hunters were seeing leading up to opening day of the first split wasn’t much to get too excited about.

Yet, what a difference a few weeks of icy cold conditions in the nation’s heartland can make when combined with drought conditions across much of the prairie. When December’s aerial survey rolled around, the duck count went from an estimated 802,000 in November to 2.1 million. A whopping 164 percent increase in just a matter of weeks.

By the time the Christmas holidays rolled around, even Louisianans wouldn’t escape the northern cold fronts as Old Man Winter pushed his way down to the bayou state. And with the cold weather, the ducks came too.

Dale Bordelon, owner of Bayou Beast Game Calls, does most of his duck hunting in Avoyelles Parish. The Deville resident said, “It was an awesome season. On the average I hunted four days a week and I limited out every hunt except four. We had a big front in October and it pushed a lot of ducks down. And just before Christmas we had a big cold front — 15 degrees here — ever since then we been killing good.”

It was the same for Kaplan area waterfowl hunter Andrew Trahan.

Trahan said, “It was an above average season for us. Early and frequent fronts helped as well as the freeze before Christmas. Specks were a lot harder to hunt this year. They were very shy, but the ducks were abundant. There were lots of bigger ducks like pintails, mallards and gray ducks.”

Darren Digby is a Mandeville native and resident of Baton Rouge. Digby hunts the salt marshes in St. Bernard Parish, agricultural land in Avoyelles Parish, and the freshwater marshes in southwest Louisiana.

Digby says his hunts in St. Bernard Parish in the southeastern part of the state were good overall with plenty of gadwalls (gray ducks). By contrast, Digby mentioned in Avoyelles Parish, as usual, there were plenty of geese with lots of teal, northern shovelers (spoonies) and pintails.

Digby said, “The season overall was strong. We killed 205 ducks on 23 hunts averaging almost 9 ducks per hunt. The few hunts in southwest Louisiana’s freshwater marshes were very good and they did well all season long below Lake Arthur. There was a whole lot of green winged teal, ring-necked ducks, pintails, black-bellied whistling ducks, a few mallards, gray ducks and widgeon.”

Owner/operator of Bayou Guide Service Bill Lake has kept a record of every duck season he’s hunted since 1972. In comparing records from the 70s and 80s, Lake says those years will never be matched.

Lake, who hunts below Gibson, said, “We had 502 birds total this season with 279 teal and 179 ring-necked ducks being the bulk of our birds. Better than last year, but by no means out best season. We continue to do it because it’s in the blood.”

Chackbay resident Chase Livingston also hunts below Gibson in the Bayou Black area. According to the young hunter who works for Team Industrial Services, the 2022-23 duck season was the best season yet.

Livingston said, “As far as consistency and numbers for us, this was the best season in the history of the lease. While there were not huge numbers of birds in the first split, there was just enough teal around to make limits consistently. Once the cold weather showed up around Christmas, the ringnecks showed up with it, which helped carry us through the final weekend.”

Steve Strodered from Carlyss says he primarily hunted in the Johnson Bayou area marsh in the extreme southwest region of the state. Considering the conditions, Strodered felt the season wasn’t as good as it should have been.

Strodered said, “Everybody had the same story as myself. Considering the conditions we had this year, the marsh had plenty of food, drought to our north, early cold, we should have had a better season in my opinion. There were hotspots throughout the region I hunt, which is southwest Louisiana, but overall hunting outside of those areas was OK to poor.”

There were good reports that came from the Atchafalaya Delta WMA this year, though hunters say you had to wait them out when looking for limits. Unfortunately, the LDWF no longer conducts bag checks on the WMA, so it’s difficult to place anecdotal information into any context.

In spite of what appeared to be a good season, January’s aerial population survey showed duck numbers had decreased by 3% from the previous month. The 2.0 million ducks estimated was 16% lower than the most recent 10-year January average and 23% lower than the 20-year average. But, let’s not put a damper on what appears to be an above average duck season for many Louisiana waterfowl hunters.

It’s already generating excitement for the 2023-24 season.

John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.

Former friend doesn’t know the whole story

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 9:02am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: About 10 years ago, my longtime best friend, “Byron,” abruptly cut me out of his life. I never clearly understood why. I reached out to him on and off for several years without success. Then I ran into him, traded pleasantries and we followed up. He returned my email, we began communicating again about things that mattered, and it appeared our friendship was on the mend.
A short time later, my wife (only an acquaintance of his) divorced me and began a massive social media attack against me. Most of my friends saw through her lies. I took the high road and never said anything about her lunacy. Then she ramped it up by going after some of the people she knew were important in my life, including Byron. Soon after, I heard she had her hooks in him and he stopped communicating with me. My ex-wife has since passed away.
I have dreams that Byron and I are friends again, doing the things we used to do, and I would like to try “Rebuild No. 2” but don’t know where to start. He never got the full story, only the part that made me look bad. Do I mention my ex-wife’s lies, or do I just try and start over again? And if so, how?
UNFRIENDED AGAIN IN MICHIGAN

DEAR UNFRIENDED: True friends do not treat each other the way that Byron has treated you. They discuss their differences instead of cutting each other off. Your “friend” could have come to you after he was contacted by your ex-wife. He could also have asked some of your mutual friends if what she was spreading was true. Byron did neither. Go on with your life and don’t look back, or you will receive more of the same from this person.

DEAR ABBY: I’m very depressed and upset with myself. I cheated on my husband, “Hal,” and told him after I realized I had gotten an STI from the man I cheated with. Hal was very upset, and we didn’t talk for a day and a half, but he didn’t yell or call me names. I feel so guilty and confused. He’s being really nice, not cussing at me. It’s strange.
Things are different between us now, and it’s my fault. It will take time and patience, I guess. But I miss the intimacy and affection Hal and I once shared. Is it normal for me to want him to yell at me and show his anger? When I try to talk about him getting tested for STIs, he gets quiet and brings up the past. Please help me. I just want things back the way they were before I cheated. What do I do?
RELUCTANT CHEATER IN OREGON

DEAR RELUCTANT CHEATER: Hal needs to talk to his doctor and schedule an appointment to be tested, and you must be willing to talk to him about “the past” and why you cheated on him. You owe your husband an explanation. That he hasn’t yelled or called you names doesn’t mean he isn’t hurt and furious about what happened. It may take counseling with a licensed marriage and family therapist for your marriage to be repaired. If you do this, although your relationship may never go back to the way it was before you cheated, it may be better.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

LINDA (BOO) BOUDREAUX DUPRE

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 8:58am

March 25, 1949 — January 29, 2023

Linda (Boo) Boudreaux Dupre, 73, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully, Sunday, January 29, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Linda was born March 25, 1949, in Morgan City, the daughter of Byrnes McClellan Boudreaux Sr. and June Deborde Boudreaux.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her son, Brian James Martin of Morgan City, LA; two grandchildren, Abbigale Kathleen Martin and Ava Faye Martin, both of Kingwood, TX.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Byrnes and June Boudreaux; and her brother, Byrnes McClellan Boudreaux Jr.

A memorial visitation will be held Friday, February 10, 2023 at Twin City Funeral Home from 7pm - 10pm.

Her funeral service will be held at Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00am.

Linda loved and lived for carnival time so it would only be fitting to wear beads or a touch of purple, green, and gold!

KIRK D. SMITH

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 8:55am

Kirk D. Smith, 61, a native of Patterson and resident of Houston, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at HCA Houston NW Hospital.

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 10 at FallBrook Church, 12512 Walters Road, Houston.

He is survived by four brothers, Leslie Smith of Salinas, California, Brian Smith of Dallas, Lamont Smith of Las Vegas and John Warner Smith of Lafayette; three sisters, Sherry Williams of Jeanerette, and
Lesia Smith and Adrienne Smith, both of Houston; and mother Frankie Smith of Patterson.

He was preceded in death by his father.

State House passes insurance fund bill

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 8:32am

CLAIRE SULLIVAN and MOLLY RYAN, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE – The House on Wednesday approved bills to spend up to $45 million to encourage insurance companies to return to the state and to prevent firms that went bankrupt or were declared insolvent from using the money.

The House Appropriations Committee approved the two bills Tuesday before sending them to the House, where representatives questioned state Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon about the details of the program.

The funds would be used to reduce the financial risk for insurance companies that resumed writing home and other property insurance policies in the state.
Donelon emphasized the urgency of the program for the 125,000 residents covered by the state’s insurer of last resort, the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp, as well as for those who cannot afford insurance at all.

Without the program, Donelon said, “Thousands of people are going to lose their homes.”

The bill now goes to the Senate, where the president, Sen. Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, has voiced support for it.

Donelon looked back at the success that a similar incentive program had in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Five companies participated then, and about a dozen others followed them back to the state. “The insurance industry is bird-like in their movement,” Donelon said.

The commissioner ensured legislators that competition in the market would lower rates for policyholders. But not all lawmakers seemed convinced.

“You’re much more confident than I am on that issue,” Rep. Lawrence “Larry” Frieman, R-Abita Springs, said.

Legislators also worried the incentive fund would not provide long-term relief to policyholders.

Rep. Chad Brown, D-Plaquemine, strongly criticized the commissioner, saying the incentive program was Donelon’s plan A, B, C and D.

“Did it really work last time? Or did we just get lucky?” Brown asked of the similar program implemented after Katrina.

Brown is not the only member of his caucus unsure of the commissioner and his plan.

“Democrats are focused on helping struggling homeowners and rescuing our collapsing insurance market,” said Rep. Sam Jenkins, chairman of the Democratic Caucus, in a statement Monday. “But we must remember this crisis occurred on Commissioner Donelon’s watch.”

Jenkins said they must ensure the incentive fund is not a “cash grab for big insurance companies.”

Still, some legislators think the plan they view as imperfect is better than nothing for the thousands of coastal residents struggling to insure their homes.

“With reservation, I am going to support this bill,” Brown said, pointing to his coastal constituents who are desperate for relief.

He said he hopes that if another storm hits next year, the companies will stay.

Rep. Timothy Kerner, R-Jefferson, whose own premium increased by $12,000, implied he also has reservations about the bill but urged his colleagues to support it.

“This is not the perfect bill, but it is the only bill,” he said.

Report says college sports programs are losing money

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 8:18am

VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

Athletic departments at several of Louisiana’s public universities are operating at a loss, according to recent reports from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

Auditor Mike Waguespack issued a series of reports last week that examined whether financial statements for athletic departments at five of the state’s public universities complied with National Collegiate Athletic Association bylaws in fiscal year 2022.

A review of the statement of revenues and expenses for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletic Department found a deficit of $5.3 million, with total revenues of $33 million and total expenses of about $38.3 million. Auditors also noted one instance in which a $6,000 in-kind donation was not accompanied by supporting documentation, as required.

The same review for the Southern University at Baton Rouge Athletic Department showed a deficit of $394,518 in 2022, with revenues of $18.1 million and total expenses at $18.5 million. Auditors found the university’s repayment schedule for outstanding intercollegiate athletics debt was not properly disclosed, in addition to other issues with incorrect athletic and Pell grant amounts in the NCAA

Membership Financial Reporting System, and misclassified revenue.

Finances for the athletic department at Nicholls State University were also in the red for FY 2022, with expenses of $11.1 million outpacing revenues of $10.9 million, resulting in a deficit of $203,448.

Auditors also uncovered three instances of misclassified or understated amounts on the university’s statement of revenues and expenses.

“In addition, auditors noted that the university overstated the current-year capital expenditures related to athletic buildings that were reported to the NCAA,” according to a report summary.

Two other schools’ athletic departments posted a profit in FY 2022.

At Louisiana Tech University, the athletic department’s revenues exceeded expenses by $399,234, with total revenues at about $28.7 million and total expenses of roughly $28.3 million.

Auditors found one scholarship worth $1,297 that was incorrectly coded to football that should have been coded to men’s basketball, as well as a $2,163 overpayment to an employee. Both the scholarship and overpayment have since been corrected.

Revenues also exceeded expenses at Southeastern Louisiana University’s athletic department by $100,571, with total revenues at $14.8 million and total expenses at $14.7 million. Other issues at Southeastern involved an overstatement of countable contests for men’s track and field.

At Nicholls State and Southern, “Auditors also noted variances between current-year and prior-year grant-in-aid revenue distribution equivalencies requiring explanations per NCAA guidelines,” the reports read.

Those variances occurred as a result of changes in student sports participation and program funding that exceeded 4% between fiscal year 2021 and 2022.