Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicholls State University Athletics, in conjunction with the Southland Conference, announced on March 14 all remaining competitions and championships for the 2020 season would be canceled.Â
Women's tennis, men's tennis, baseball, softball, outdoor track, and beach volleyball all had their seasons cut short and with that, several seniors did not have the opportunity to finish their athletic careers as Colonels.
Nicholls will honor the seniors who have decided to end their athletic tenures for the Red & Gray.Â
Student-Athlete: Austin France
Sport: Baseball | #5
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
Major: Management
Graduation Date: May 2020
France joined the Nicholls baseball program following a transfer from Chandler Gilbert Community College in the Fall of 2019, and managed to make a notable impact with the Colonels across his two seasons on the diamond. The Arizona native registered 54 total starts -- all in the outfield -- while checking in for 66 appearances, missing just seven games while donning the Red & Gray.
Notably, France concluded his junior season as one of just four players to compete in all 55 contests, hitting a solid .242 batting average behind 47 hits and a team third-best 27 RBIs. He earned his keep as a defender as well, finishing with a career .941 fielding percentage off 111 putouts and only seven errors.
"Austin has been courageous since the start," head baseball coach
Seth Thibodeaux said. "He battled through some tough surgeries just to get back on the field with his team, and working through those has been difficult for him. He never stopped competing and gave his time to Nicholls and had some big on-the-field moments for us. He is leaving Nicholls with a degree. We are proud of you Frenchy, job well done."
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Q&A
What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to get a job and possibly help out at my old community college as well.
How did you initially feel when your season was canceled, and how do you feel about it now?
When I first heard about it, it was a sense of heartbreak because we all grew up wanting to play "DI Baseball," and you get here and realize your last days were taken from you by something outside your control. It's still tough to see a field and realize it's over with.
What made you decide to come to Nicholls?
I decided to come to Nicholls because of the culture the city of Thibodaux presented. It was a new place for me and the coaches and players made me feel at home.
What is one of your favorite memories during your time as a Colonel?
One of my favorite memories was on the last home game of our 2019 season...we were down by seven runs going into the bottom of the fifth inning and managed to come back to win 13-7. That game meant a lot for those seniors.
What will you miss most about playing baseball at Nicholls?
Spending everyday with a group of guys all working toward the same goal.
What was your favorite class/professor at Nicholls?
Human Resource Management/Seminar was my favorite class. Melanie Boudreaux always made class enjoyable.
Where was your favorite place to eat?
La Palma
If you could go back and give yourself advice before you started college, what would you tell yourself?
Treat yourself. Your time as a young adult is limited.
Is there anyone you'd like to thank? (teammate/coach/family/teacher, etc.)
I'd like to thank my family, the coaches and the guys I had the opportunity to play with throughout this journey. I have been to three different schools and each coach has taught me something different about myself and helped me grow as a man in one way or another. My parents and brother have definitely been my biggest supporters and have watched every game despite being 1,200 miles away.
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For more information on Colonels Baseball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_BASE), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).
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