THIBODAUX, La. – Forty years after reaching the Elite 8 in the NCAA Division II tournament and winning its second Gulf South Conference title in four years, the 1979 Nicholls State University men's basketball team recently received championship rings thanks to a donation from the One Shining Moment Foundation.

"On behalf of the players, staff, and coaches we want to thank the One Shining Moment Foundation for providing these rings to this championship team", Hall of Fame coach Don Landry said. "It was 40 years ago that this squad proved to be one of the greatest teams of Colonel history.  It means a lot to all of us who received this generous gift."  

"This commemorative ring is long overdue and we are appreciative of the One Shining Moment Foundation for their generosity in helping make this recognition happen," said Director of Athletics Matt Roan.

Landry's Colonel squad posted a 15-1 record in the GSC to claim the league championship and ended the regular season ranked eighth in the nation. Thibodaux was selected as the site for the NCAA Division II South Regional Tournament and a 100-87 victory over Rollins gave the Colonels their second regional championship in four years.  The season ended in the Elite 8 in an upset loss to eventual national champ North Alabama. 

The team featured three hall of fame players, headlined by three-time All-American forward Larry Wilson who is still the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,569 points. With the help of the Colonel all-time assists leader Sonny Charpentier and Rogers Washington, who had a program-best 12.3 rebound per game career average, the Colonels won 21 games which are tied for the third-most in school history. Despite their achievements, the members of the team did not receive rings at the time.

"The One Shining Moment Foundation is committed to helping Nicholls Men's Basketball win championships both on and off the court," said Brandon Ruttley, Executive Director of the One Shining Moment Foundation. "Not only that, but we feel it is extremely important to honor all of the championship teams that came before us. We hope that the generosity of all our donors will encourage more people to support Nicholls State University."
 
Since 2017, the One Shining Moment Foundation has committed over $150,000 for facility enhancements, including the new Broussard Court in Stopher Gymnasium. The Foundation, along with their partners, have donated over $60,000 for other initiatives for Nicholls Athletics, which include summer school, recruiting, the Seafood Extravaganza, apparel, meals, tailgates, travel, a foreign tour, and now rings for the 1979 Men's Basketball team.