The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

SWLA sports
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Calling all
Basketball Fans
By Tori Hebert
Calling All Basketball Fans
March Madness and the NCAA
Basketball tournament are
right around the corner, but before the
fantasy sports begin Burton Coliseum
will host Marsh Madness! This is the
4 th year that Lake Charles will host
the Louisiana High School Athletic
Association(LHSAA) state basketball
championships. This is also the 4 th year
that the Visitors Bureau has recruited
the help of community members to be
“hosts” for one or more visiting basket
ball teams.
When the state tournament came
to Lake Charles in 2014, Erik Zartler,
Sales Director of the Visitors Bureau,
says that they knew the coaches of
visiting teams would need a “go-to”
person. Someone who could answer
any questions and help the team feel
comfortable being away from home.
Zartler says, “Our coordinators Charles
Allen and Pam & Colvin LeDoux are in
charge of gathering hosts, assigning
teams, and making sure that everyone
is on site throughout the event.” Once
a host has been assigned to a team,
he or she will contact the coach and
immediately begin preparing for the
team and assisting the coach in last
minute plans that need to be taken
care of. The team hosts provide an
unmatched level of customer service
and hospitality. Zartler goes on,
“Whether it’s directions around town,
assistance with reservations at a local
restaurant, or getting laundry done,
our hosts ensure that the teams are
well taken care of while they are in
Calcasieu Parish.” Team hosts are the
first ones to greet teams when they
arrive, escort them to the locker room,
and even sit with the team
on the bench during each game!
The team host program is carried out
on a volunteer basis. Hosts range from
retired educators, industry workers,
and some hosts even take a step
back from their jobs to be a part of
the event. The volunteer program is
open to everyone, and while there are
a limited number of host positions,
Marsh Madness has many other
opportunities with flexible hours to fit
any schedule.
If you are looking for a “little something
extra” to get you ready for the NCAA
tournaments, consider visiting www.
visitlakecharles.org/volunteer and
become a part of the high school
basketball tournament!
Team Host Co-Coordinator Colvin LeDoux
(right) adds a little fun in their work with
Team Host Jean Evans (Left
L-R Team Host Co-Coordinators (Blue Vests) Pam LeDoux and
Charles Allen along with Team Hosts (Gold Shirts) Ted Nixon,
Jimmy Pitre, R.L. Webb and Bill Stokes, take a break from their
busy schedules to smile for the camera.
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February 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 5