ULM’s L Club introduced the Hall of Fame class of 2018 last Saturday Sept. 22. The ceremony was held at ULM’s Bayou Pointe Event Center. The day started off with the traditional induction brunch, followed by the recognition of the honorees during the football game.
The newly enshrined members of the Hall of Fame attended the Warhawks first conference game of the season.
Steven Jyles (Football), Casey Goodman (Softball), Jeff Blackshear (Football) and Kenny Holubec (Baseball) were the four inductees.
“I really appreciate this so much,” Blackshear said. “I haven’t had good news like this in a long time.”
Selected by Seattle in the eighth round of the NFL Draft, Jeff Blackshear played nine seasons in the NFL from 1993 until 2002 with four teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers. He started 96 of his 128 NFL games and had a 57-game starting streak for the Ravens. Proving the grit, he displayed during his college days.
Blackshear was not always on the offensive side of the ball. He came to ULM as a defensive player before being told that if he wanted to go to the NFL, he’d move to offensive line. Blackshear made the move that spring and 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.
Next up was Steven Jyles. A four-year starter at quarterback for ULM, Jyles was named 2005 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. 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). Jyles signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League after ULM and played professionally in the CFL for seven seasons.
“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,” Jyles said.
Football was not the only sport that had inductees. Kenny Holubec, a left-handed pitcher, posted a 23 and 5 career record and remains ULM’s career leader in strikeouts with 321. He won the first NCAA regional game in ULM history over the University of New Orleans in his final collegiate start.
“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.
A ninth-round pick by the Minnesota Twins, Holubec pitched five seasons in the minor leagues.
Last of the four inductees was Casey Goodman. ULM’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2004, Goodman was a two-time All-Region catcher who put up 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. She earned All-Southland Conference honors four times and was named to the Southland’s 50th anniversary All-Time Team. 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.”
These athletes made their mark and paved the way for future athletes to excel not only on the field but in life. The class also continued the tradition of excellent athletes at ULM.
The ULM L Club currently inducts classes every two years, alternating with Hall of Fame reunions in odd years. This year’s inductees are joining elite company and will carry on a strong legacy for the school.