MONROE, La. — ULM Athletics, in collaboration with Louisiana Tech, has announced the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series. The year-long, all-sport competition series signals the revival of the ULM-Louisiana Tech rivalry. The return of the rivalry is also due to Louisiana Tech's move to the Sun Belt Conference, allowing for each competition to be valued for conference play, along with the I-20 Showdown.
 
While the two football teams have not faced off since 2000, the Warhawks and the Bulldogs have competed in nonconference competition in other sports over the years. In the 2025-26 season, ULM claimed the 5-2 edge in competition with volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball.
 
"I think this rivalry is special for our region and having a partner like Radiance Technologies involved only amplifies that," said ULM Director of Athletics SJ Tuohy. "Radiance does so much not only for NELA, but our country as a whole. As for the series itself, I love that it brings together student-athletes from different sports to compete together for a trophy and I'm excited to watch them get going this fall."
 
Every sport will be valued equally, a win earning that school a point in the challenge. Ties will provide each team with 0.5 points. Only the sports that both institutions sponsor will be counted in the series, with multi-game sports determining the winner based on the series winner.
 
For sports such as men's and women's cross country and men's golf, the point will be determined by the higher conference finish. Same will follow for men's and women's track & field, which will be determined by a combined indoor/outdoor finish. 
 
A total of 12 points are available, with 6.5 points clinching the victory. If the schools finish in a tie, the tiebreaker will be the winner of the ULM-Louisiana Tech football game.
 
The official branding and visual identity for the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series will debut on Tuesday, with additional details on the championship trophy to be unveiled at a later date.
 
"Radiance is thrilled to be part of the renewal of the historic rivalry between Louisiana Tech and ULM," said Bill Bailey, CEO of Radiance Technologies. "We also believe in giving back; that is why we are investing in this storied series. As Radiance's presence in North Louisiana continues to grow, our contributions to the community will grow as well."
 
The first matchup between the two schools in the inaugural year of the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series will be on October 4, as the soccer teams will face off in Ruston. The first matchup in Monroe will be on October 17, as Louisiana Tech's football team makes the trip to FMOL Health St. Francis Stadium for the first time since 2000.
 
Standings will be updated throughout the athletic year on ULMWarhawks.com and across ULM Athletics' social media platforms.