ULM Warhawks

By Paul Letlow, ULM L Club

MONROE, La. – The ULM L Club Hall of Fame will gain four new members in 2018.

Football players Steven Jyles and Jeff Blackshear, baseball's Kenny Holubec and softball's Casey Goodman were selected for induction into the L Club's Class of 2018.

Induction festivities are scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 22, as ULM football plays host to Troy in its Sun Belt opener. Hall of Fame weekend activities include the traditional induction brunch and recognition of the honorees during the football game. 

"The 2018 Hall of Fame Class is an outstanding one," ULM L Club president Blair Michel said. "The L Club is excited to have this year's induction at the newly built Bayou Pointe. We expect a large crowd. This year's class brings forward former stellar student-athletes in the classroom, on the field, and in everyday life."

An offensive lineman, Blackshear (1991-92) emerged as a key figure in a ULM offense that piled up 4,985 yards and scored 388 points in 1992 while claiming the Southland Conference Championship and finishing ranked No. 1 in the final regular-season poll. He was a first-team All-America guard (Kodak and NFL Draft report) and second-team selection (AP and Football Gazette).

"When I first got to Monroe, I was thinking I'd be a defensive player," Blackshear said. "But you know (former coach) Dave Roberts. He told me if I wanted to get to the NFL, I needed to come over and try offensive line. I went over there the first day of spring ball and found a home."

Selected by Seattle in the eighth round of the NFL Draft, Blackshear played nine seasons in the NFL from 1993 until 2002 with four teams, including the Seahawks, Ravens, Chiefs and Packers. He started 96 of his 128 NFL games and had a 57-game starting streak for the Ravens.

"I really appreciate this so much," Blackshear said. "I haven't had good news like this in a long time."

Jyles (2002-05) was a four-year starter at quarterback, who was named 2005 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year after leading his team to a share of the league championship. 

"ULM was the start to the second chapter of my life," Jyles said. "ULM provided me with the diversified environment and with a curriculum I grew up around in construction management. My time at ULM ended too fast. I enjoyed every moment I was there. I met great people, made a lot of friends and found a great woman there to be my wife. The Construction department made it very exciting in class due to the amount of experience provided by the professors. Of course, being a fisherman, the Bayou made it perfect for me.

"ULM prepared me for life both mentally and emotionally. I had a great cast of leaders and mentors around me. Many coaches, professors, and staff members poured wisdom and love into me. I give thanks to everyone for taking the time to make me feel welcomed."

The Baton Rouge native finished his career with 10,234 yards of total offense and 8,987 yards passing. He also held the career marks for pass attempts (1,473), pass completions (795) and passing touchdowns (55). As a senior, he recorded six games with more than 200 yards passing, including a season-high 384 yards and 432 yards of total offense against FIU. In the scoring column, Jyles accounted for 21 of the team's 30 touchdowns. Jyles signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League after ULM and played professionally in the CFL for seven seasons, passing for a total of 7,075 yards for multiple franchises.

"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a feeling I can't describe," Jyles said. "To be placed in the same category with world class student-athletes is a great honor. Thank you."

Holubec (1997-2000) posted a 23-5 career record as a left-handed pitcher and remains ULM's career strikeout king with 321.

"ULM was a place where guys showed up not knowing anyone and left not only as teammates but as brothers that still keep in touch to this day," Holubec said.

In the 2000 season, Holubec finished 12-2 as a junior with 162 strikeouts and a 3.18 earned run average for ULM's NCAA Regional team. He won the first NCAA regional game in school history that same year with a win over the University of New Orleans. A ninth-round pick by the Minnesota Twins, Holubec pitched five seasons in the minor leagues.

"It's an honor to be placed on a list of past baseball players such as Mike Thompson, who was a former American Legion coach of mine, Tom Brown, Chuck Finley and former teammates Corey Taylor and Ben Sheets," Holubec said.

Goodman (2000-03) was a slugging catcher, who compiled a career batting average of .328 with 37 home runs, 147 RBIs, 37 doubles and 190 hits to rank among ULM's most productive all-time hitting leaders. 

"The family atmosphere is what initially drew me to the school, and I met some of the most supportive and gracious people along the way," Goodman said. "I am grateful every day that Coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill took a chance on me and just hope I was able to give something to the University that gave me so much. I am honored to be elected into the Hall of Fame class with such a talented cast. ULM has a rich tradition of great athletes, and for me to be included in that group really means the world to me."

Goodman earned All-Southland Conference honors four times and was named to the Southland's 50th anniversary All-Time Team. Goodman was a two-time All-Region catcher and ULM's Female Athlete of the Year in 2004. She played softball professionally in Italy after ULM and is currently a head coach in her hometown at Bakersfield (Calif.) College.

"ULM was the best decision I ever made," Goodman said. "It not only shaped me but molded me to become who I am today."

The ULM L Club currently inducts classes every two years, alternating with Hall of Fame reunions in odd years. The L Club will provide more detailed information on induction weekend closer to the September event.