Louisiana Tech University: Notable Alumni Shaping Diverse Fields
Louisiana Tech University, a public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana, has a rich history dating back to 1894. Originally founded as the Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana, its mission was to educate students in arts and sciences to foster industrial development in the post-Reconstruction era. Over the years, the institution evolved, changing its name to Louisiana Industrial Institute and later to Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, before finally becoming Louisiana Tech University. Throughout its history, Louisiana Tech has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields, ranging from sports and entertainment to politics and business.
Athletics: Gridiron Greats and Court Conquerors
Louisiana Tech has a strong tradition of athletic excellence, with numerous alumni achieving success in professional sports.
Terry Bradshaw, an iconic figure in American football, played quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 14 seasons. He led the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Since retiring from the NFL, Bradshaw has become a television sports analyst and actor.
Karl Malone, a dominant force in the National Basketball Association (NBA), spent 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz, forming a formidable duo with John Stockton. A two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 14-time NBA All-Star, Malone ranks third in all-time NBA scoring.
Willie Roaf, an offensive tackle, played 13 seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. An 11-time Pro Bowl selection and nine-time All-Pro, Roaf was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
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Paul Millsap enjoyed a successful 16-year NBA career, playing for teams like the Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, and Denver Nuggets. The four-time NBA All-Star was drafted by the Jazz in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft.
Tramon Williams is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, and was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2006.
P.J. Brown played in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics, winning an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008. He was voted into the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times.
L'Jarius Sneed is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round (138th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.
Matt Dunigan is an American broadcaster and former professional football player and executive. He is a Canadian Football League (CFL) sportscaster for Canadian sports television channel TSN. In 2006, Dunigan joined the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and was voted one of the CFL's Top 50 players (#39) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.
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Troy Edwards is a retired NFL wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions; current AFL wide receiver for the Grand Rapids Rampage; holds the NCAA record for most receiving yards in one game (405 vs.
Pat Tilley is a retired NFL wide receiver for the St.
A.L. Grant Williams is a retired NFL offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and St.
Dennis Morris is a current tight end for the St.
Cheryl Ford is an American former professional basketball player. As a member of the Detroit Shock, she won the WNBA championship three times.
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Teresa Weatherspoon is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for Vinyl BC of the Unrivaled basketball league. She was previously the head coach of the Chicago Sky of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played for the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA and served as the head basketball coach of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters.
Betty Lennox is an American retired professional basketball player. She played for the Minnesota Lynx, Miami Sol, Cleveland Rockers, Seattle Storm, Atlanta Dream, Los Angeles Sparks and Tulsa Shock in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Jalen Harris is an American professional basketball player for the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Speedy Smith is an American professional basketball player for Türk Telekom of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL) and the EuroCup.
Michale Kyser
Arts and Entertainment: From Country Music to Hollywood
Louisiana Tech alumni have also made their mark in the world of arts and entertainment.
Trace Adkins, a country music singer and actor, debuted in 1996 with the album "Dreamin' Out Loud." He has since released ten more studio albums and charted more than 20 singles on the Billboard country music charts, including the Number One hits "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "Ladies Love Country Boys," and "You're Gonna Miss This."
Kix Brooks, best known as one half of the duo Brooks & Dunn, is a country music artist, actor, and film producer. He also hosts radio's "American Country Countdown."
Muse Watson, an actor, is known for his recurring roles on NCIS and Prison Break, as well as his film roles in "Something to Talk About" and the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" series.
Joey Greco, a television personality, is best known as the long-time host of the reality TV show "Cheaters."
Phil Robertson, is an American professional hunter, businessman (Duck Commander company), and reality television star on the popular television series Duck Dynasty.
Si Robertson, is an American television personality, veteran, and a retired reed maker for duck calls at Duck Commander. He is best known for his role on A&E's Duck Dynasty, on which he has emerged as a breakout cast member.
Hardy Fox, was an American musician. He was co-founder of musical group the Residents, as well as their primary composer.
Bill Doss was an American rock musician. He co-founded The Elephant 6 Recording Company in Athens, Georgia and was a key member of The Olivia Tremor Control.
Politics and Public Service: Leaders Shaping Communities and the Nation
Louisiana Tech has produced numerous alumni who have served in public office, shaping communities and influencing policy at the local, state, and national levels.
Saxby Chambliss served as a United States Senator from Georgia from 2003 to 2015 and as a U.S. Representative from 1995 to 2003.
Garret Graves served as the United States representative for Louisiana's 6th congressional district from 2015 to 2025.
Rodney Alexander served in the United States Congress.
Jim McCrery served in the United States Congress.
Newt V. Mills served in the United States Congress.
James P. Pope served in the United States Congress.
Charles E. Roemer, II## Jimmy Faircloth
Phil Short - former Louisiana state senator
Harold L. Ritchie## Luther F. Cole## John J. Batbie, Jr.## Susan Y. Campbell## Edward L. W. Bopp## Tim Lemons## Kim Gandy## Robert Adley## Fred Preaus## Keith Hightower
Rose Venkatesan is the first Indian talk show host based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Business and Technology: Innovators and Entrepreneurs
Louisiana Tech alumni have also excelled in the fields of business and technology, demonstrating innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
Sam Wyly, an American businessman, first appeared on Forbes's list of richest Americans in 2000. His initial wealth was acquired following the public offering of University Computing Company.
Will Wright, an American video game designer and co-founder of the game development company Maxis, is known for creating popular games like SimCity and The Sims.
Randy Fowler (’78,’89) is President and Chief Financial Officer of Enterprise Products, one of the largest publicly traded partnerships and a leading provider of energy services.
Nicholas Clark (’18) and Marlon Watts (’18), founders of WRLDINVSN, were named Young Alumni of the Year.
Other Notable Alumni
The list of notable Louisiana Tech alumni extends beyond the categories mentioned above, encompassing individuals who have made significant contributions in various other fields.
Woodie Flowers, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was known for his work in engineering design and product development.
Leraldo Anzaldua is an American voice actor, ADR director, scriptwriter and stunt coordinator.
Charles R. J.R.## Brandon B. Biggio## James L. Bayles## Terry A. Bell## Robert G. Clark## J. E. Davidge## Jean M. Doores## Harmon Drew, Sr.## J. R. Gilley## Zack Tullos## J. Kyle Keller## Jennifer White## Chuck Finley## Rebel Oakes## J. Elenora Hill## Patricia A. Jones## Rodney L. Ellis## E. Garnie Wylie## John D. Winter## Mayor Walker
tags: #louisiana #tech #university #notable #alumni
