Demons' McConathy to be enshrined in Louisiana Tech Hall of Fame
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: August 29, 2011
RUSTON - Northwestern State basketball coach Mike McConathy, one of the greatest players in Louisiana Tech's history, will be inducted into his alma mater's Athletics Hall of Fame Oct. 1.
The induction ceremony will be held in the Waggonner Room of the Thomas Assembly Center, the Bulldogs' basketball arena, on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 o'clock. McConathy is already a member of the Ark-La-Tex Museum of Champions in Shreveport.
McConathy, an Associated Press honorable mention All-American during his playing career from 1973-77, is about to begin his 13th season as the Demons' head coach. He has guided the Demons to unprecedented success including two NCAA Tournament victories, six appearances in the Southland Conference Tournament finals, 14 nationally televised games among 32 TV appearances, and national praise from the NCAA for his team's performance in the Academic Progress Rate report. Over 80 percent of his players have earned degree while McConathy's Demons have won 184 games, five championships and while producing 15 professional players.
McConathy is one of only two men's basketball players, along with Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member Mike Green, to score more than 2,000 career points in a Louisiana Tech uniform. Still the owner of the highest scoring game in Tech history (47 against Lamar on Feb. 23, 1976), he earned Southland Conference Player of the Year and AP honorable mention All-American honors as a junior while leading the Bulldogs to the league title under NSU graduate Emmett Hendricks. McConathy was selected in the fourth round of the 1977 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.
He coached 16 years at Bossier Parish Community College (352 wins) and is only the second person in state history, along with Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member Fred Hobdy of Grambling, to post more than 500 career collegiate coaching victories. McConathy has 536 and is approaching Hobdy's state record of 571.
McConathy will be joined in his alma mater's 2011 induction class by women's basketball's Venus Lacy, football players Matt Dunigan, David Lee, and Matt Stover, broadcaster Dave Nitz, baseball star T.J. Soto and another Bulldogs basketball great, Paul Millsap.
"Many of Louisiana Tech's richest athletics traditions are built upon the accomplishments of these former student-athletes and contributors," said Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau. "I congratulate each of them on their election to our Athletics Hall of Fame."
The Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame started in 1984 when the inaugural class of former NSU assistant coach Joe Aillet, Terry Bradshaw, Atley Donald, Garland Gregory, Pam Kelly, Maxie Lambright and Jackie Moreland was inducted. This eight-person class will be the 13th inducted and raises the number enshrined to 82.
