Cam Spikes

Had a great spring, got to learn and progress a lot, looking forward to working on getting better for my senior season in the weight room, on the field, and at camps.💯 @BarbeBucsFball @AnthonyHol19918 @CoachHolleyCU @CoachAI @CoachTCaheeII @CoachSchexTU #classof2026 #cb #db

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LSU is now just McNeese east. On a personal level I have nothing but positive things to say about Will Wade, Heath Schroyer and Wade Rousse, and I couldn’t be more excited for them to be together again doing exactly what they did in Lake Charles for a power conference school. For the first time ever I’ll say it, Geaux Tigers.

An open letter to Poke Nation from Heath Schroyer is below... Poke Nation, For me, this has been so much more than just a job. I came to Lake Charles eight years ago, and although I’ve never shared this publicly, I almost left one week in. The first time I tried to book a flight to recruit players, I was told I couldn’t. The program had no money. If I wanted to recruit, I’d have to raise the money myself. On top of that, we were on the cusp of an academic postseason ban. The truth is, I was basically lied to about the state the program was in. Had I known how bad things were, I never would have taken the job. I had never seen a program run that way—and as someone who has worked at eight different Division I schools, that says a lot. I called my old boss and he offered me my job back, plus a hefty raise. I told him I was on my way. That evening, I met with Dr. Wallace. He shared his passion for the program and told me how badly he wanted to win. He believed we could build something special here. I could see the desperation in his eyes, and in that moment I just couldn’t bring myself to tell him I was quitting. So I called my old boss back. “I’m going to stay,” I told him. “And I’m going to change this damn place.” I had no idea how true that statement would be. Later, when I was asked to transition into the Athletic Director role, I doubled down on my promise. I made it my mission to make sure McNeese’s athletic department ran like a proper Division I program. I remember August 28, 2020 like it was yesterday. I’d only been the AD for a few months, we were in the middle of COVID and then Hurricane Laura hit. Our university—and our community—were absolutely devastated. That moment was a turning point for me. I realized I wasn’t sent to Lake Charles just to coach basketball. I was sent for a higher purpose. From that point forward, my mission was to transform our athletic department and to help rebuild both the university and our community. My faith has always been strong, and I truly believe everything happens for a reason. In those difficult months after the hurricane, I found my stride as a leader. Those first six months were the hardest stretch of my professional and personal life—but also the most rewarding. We literally rebuilt this program from nothing. We had 400 student-athletes displaced all over the country. Every facility was destroyed. We were operating with a $3 million annual deficit. Look at us now, Poke Nation. Through it all, I have fallen in love with Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana. This community has meant so much to me, and it’s become home in a way no other place ever has. In fact, I’ve now lived in Lake Charles longer than I’ve lived anywhere else. My son Hayden, who is on the spectrum, has flourished here. He graduated from Barbe High School and today works on the grounds crew at McNeese. Watching him grow here has meant so much to me. Over the years, as our success grew, I have had several opportunities to leave for other jobs at bigger schools that offered more money. I didn’t take them for one simple reason: I wanted to finish what we started. Today, McNeese is a legitimate, nationally relevant Division I athletic program. After 19 championships, over $11 million in naming rights partnerships, state-of-the-art facilities, the best collection of coaches in the history of McNeese, and an athletic department that is the most financially stable in the state—it’s time for me to step aside and take on a new challenge. There are so many people I want to thank—far too many to name individually—they know who they are. None of this would have been possible without an incredible team working toward the same vision. I’m especially grateful to our amazing staff, our executive leadership team, and especially Dr. Wade Rousse. Dr. Rousse gave me the freedom to lead and he trusted me to be myself. He led this university with a contagious energy and passion. We worked hand in hand every day to move McNeese and McNeese Athletics forward. When you care about something as much as I care about McNeese and this community, you don’t walk away without making sure the transition is smooth and well executed. I’m proud of the team we’ve built here. Bridget Martin is one of the best and most respected administrators I’ve ever worked with, and I’m proud to share that she will serve as your next Athletic Director. Bridget has dedicated 30 years to McNeese. She shares the same passion for this department that I do, and I have complete confidence that she will continue the momentum we’ve created. Matt Fontenot is one of the best young administrators in the country. He will step into an expanded role overseeing the McNeese Athletic Foundation and will serve as the primary point of contact for our corporate partners. This transition plan has been in place for some time. True leadership means empowering the people around you so they are prepared to succeed—even without you. I’m excited about the opportunity to work with Verge Ausberry and to reunite with Dr. Rousse at LSU. I love the vision Verge has for how I can best serve, and I believe this role is tailor-made for my skillset. I’m ready to get to work. I’m also grateful that I’ll be able to stay in Louisiana. This state has become home. Lake Charles, this isn’t goodbye, it’s simply see you later. Thank you… for everything. I’m humbled, grateful, and forever proud of what we built together. Geaux Pokes Forever, Heath Schroyer

What a three-year run for McNeese! After spending time as an assistant under Will Wade, Bill Armstrong has this program headed back to the NCAA Tournament. CHAMPIONS OF THE SOUTHLAND!

New pr:188, just getting started to the season , more to come

#AGTG Blessed to receive an D1 offer from the university of Southern🐆@BMilesSU @SouthernUsports @BarbeBucsFball @RecruitLouisian @TomLoy247

#Agtg @BarbeBucsFball

🏴‍☠️ Oops we did it again 🏴‍☠️

I’m blessed to receive my 3rd offer form @LCU_ftball @BarbeBucsFball @RecruitLouisian

Rayson Bethea regular season highlights: C/O 27 ss/olb 6’ 185 lbs @BarbeBucsFball @coachccoltharp @CoachKD6 hudl.com/v/2TDerZ

Rayson Bethea (Barbe High) c/o 27 ss/olb 6’0 185 lbs game stats: •Solo tackles: 3 •Assisted Tackles: 6 •Total Tackles: 6 •Qb pressures: 2 @BarbeBucsFball @CoachKD6 @coachccoltharp hudl.com/v/2TAkYC

Blessed & Honored to receive an D1 offer from university of McNeese @BarbeBucsFball @CoachMichaelSmi @Tyler_Bolfing @CoachViator @McNeeseFB @RecruitLouisian @FBRecruitSWLA @GridironFootbal @PrepRedzoneLA @Louisiana5AD1 #agtg❤️

DAWG🐶🐶

🏴‍☠️ Jelandon Gray 🏴‍☠️

Tristan Bilbo A.M Barbe high school C/O 2026 SF/ CB 26 tot tckls 13 solo tckls 1 forced fumble hudl.com/v/2SvPZu

Play of the week

🏴‍☠️ Business Trip 🏴‍☠️

Clips from scrimmage against Jennings high school #20

New season ready to rock and roll and make some plays, had a good bit in the scrimmage against Jennings check it out ➡️hudl.com/video/3/196786… @CoachTCaheeII @BDonovan07 @BallCoachHP @CoachAye_11_11 @CoachJWhite1 @wadenthewater83 @COACHMO54 @AnthonyHol19918 @TheCoach_G #agtg

did agility work today, L drill was a little slow today my best is a 7.18 only got a 8.33 today New shuttle time 4.79, my last time was a 4.89 #agility #Football #Recruiting #classof2027 #linebacker #LB #Ldrill #shuttle @Coach_Simm516 @BDonovan07 @Coach_Burford1 @coach_parden