THIBODAUX, La. – The long-awaited renovation that will turn Nicholls State University baseball's Ray E. Didier Field into one of the best facilities in the Southland Conference was officially revealed on Saturday morning as Nicholls President Bruce Murphy led a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of the multi-million dollar project.
 
"This is truly a landmark day," President Murphy said. "This is all about the student-athletes. Athletics is very important to the spirit of the University, it's important to the other students to have something to rally behind and it gives us a unique marketing advantage." 

The renovation, which totals around $5 million of state and private funding, is rapidly underway as the outside wall of the new elevated press box provided a small preview of things to come. Faculty, staff, members of the baseball team and fans were in attendance as Dr. Murphy, along with Senators Norby Chabert and Jody Amedee, Nicholls VP of University Advancement Dr. Neal Weaver, Director of Athletics Rob Bernardi and Colonel baseball head coach Seth Thibodeaux broke ground on the new Didier Field.
 
"Dr. Murphy has laid out the vision of this institution, and that vision is to be the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Bayou Region," said Bernardi at the ceremony. "To be successful in athletics, you need three things – coaching, recruiting and facilities. We have the coaching, we've had players drafted into the Major Leagues, and now we have the facility."
 
The first phase of the renovation includes a modernized press box with a hospitality suite and a ground-floor concession stand. The box will be equipped with an upgraded sound system, while the field will receive a makeover with new lighting. The first phase is expected to be finished by the opening of the 2016 season.   
 
The next phase of the renovation will begin in the summer of next year. Highlighting those plans is construction of a field house which will include coaches' offices and a locker room. The phase also features a new entrance to the ball park and enclosed batting cages.
 
"Our administration is totally committed to being the best, and this just absolutely proves it," Coach Thibodeaux said. "We're excited about where we are headed and it just keeps getting better and better. And it's all because of our great supporters."
 
Senators Chabert and Amedee, a former Colonel baseball player, were also in attendance. Since being elected into office, Chabert has been responsible for helping fund several major projects on Nicholls campus such as the Lanny D. Ledet Culinary Arts Building, renovation to Talbot Hall and now Ray E. Didier Field.
 
"For too long, Nicholls had been one of the forgotten schools in the Louisiana system, so when I got elected, I knew that it was imperative that we change that," Senator Chabert said.
 
For photos of the Groundbreaking Ceremony, please click here.