The Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks have a long and respected history in NCAA athletics, highlighted by the success of Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football and Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks basketball. Competing in the Sun Belt Conference, the Warhawks have earned recognition for their competitive spirit, athletic growth, and contribution to collegiate sports over the decades.
College Sports Established
1931
Location
Monroe, Louisiana
College Name
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1972 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
2006 - Present / Sun Belt Conference
1982 - 2006 / Southland Conference
1972 - 1982 / Independent
Nickname
Warhawks - Regarding sports nicknames, few are as unique and exciting as that of the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks. This nickname has been a part of the University of Louisiana–Monroe’s identity since 1955, but its origin story is far from straightforward. Here we will explore how this intriguing moniker came to be.
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks Origin
The first recorded use of “Warhawks” at ULM (then known as Northeast Louisiana State College) was in 1955 when the school's student newspaper began using it for their football team coverage - though there is no clear explanation for why they chose this name at the time. Some believe that students may have chosen "Warhawk" due to its association with Native American warriors who were brave and fierce on the battlefield; however, there is no definitive proof supporting this theory either way.
Whatever inspired them initially, by 1957, “Warhawks” had become firmly established within university culture - appearing in yearbooks and other publications throughout campus life - so much so that when ULM officially adopted ‘Indians' as their mascot in 1959 (which they later changed back), many fans still referred to them collectively by their original nickname: The Warhawks!
Despite various changes over time – such as switching from Indians back again – one thing remains constant: The spirit behind those three syllables, which embody strength and courage through adversity, continues today just like it did all those years ago…Go War Hawks!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1931
- 1979
- 2006
- 2003
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Early Era of Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks
What is now Louisiana–Monroe originally competed as a junior college from 1931 through 1950. In 1951 the Indians completed their first season in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as Northeast Louisiana State College. The team’s head coach was James L. Malone, who compiled a record of 12–15 in three seasons. Malone resigned after the 1953 season, and Malone ... -
Men’s basketball Game at Fant-Ewing Coliseum
Men’s and women’s basketball teams play home games at Fant-Ewing Coliseum, a 7,000-seat on-campus arena that opened in 1971. The largest crowd to watch a men’s basketball game at Fant-Ewing Coliseum was 8,044, who watched the Northeast Louisiana Indians play the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on January 25, 1979. The ULM Warhawks have won 19 men’s basketball regular season, tournament or ... -
Warhawks Nickname Controversy
On January 30, 2006, university president James Cofer announced officially that ULM would be retiring the 75-year-old “Indians” mascot in light of new NCAA restrictions against Indigenous-themed mascots, which the NCAA considers “hostile and abusive” to Native Americans, despite issuing an appeal to the NCAA to keep the name after the NCAA’s ruling allowing Florida State to keep their Seminoles ... -
Football Coach Charlie Weatherbie era
Former Navy and Utah State head coach Charlie Weatherbie was hired to replace Keasler in 2003. In Weatherbie’s seven seasons, ULM compiled a 31–51 record. The highlight of the Weatherbie era came in 2007, when ULM, who were 25-point underdogs heading into the game, beat Alabama, coached by Nick Saban, in Tuscaloosa 21-14 on November 16. The win marked Louisiana–Monroe’s ...
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Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks History
The Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks have built a proud and competitive legacy in NCAA athletics, especially known for their long-standing rivalry with the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 1994, the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football and Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks basketball programs have grown into respected forces, showcasing both athletic talent and academic excellence.
The program began its journey under the name Northeast Louisiana University (NLU), competing in Division I-AA—now the FCS—from 1971 to 1999. During this period, the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team made history by reaching four consecutive Division I-AA playoff appearances between 1986 and 1989, a rare feat in college football. They claimed two conference championships and gained national attention by defeating major programs like Auburn, cementing their place among the best mid-majors of their era.
When the school rebranded as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the Warhawks elevated their ambitions. In 1994, they joined the Sun Belt Conference and made immediate progress. Under coach Bobby Keasler, the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team won back-to-back New Orleans Bowl titles in 1999 and 2000. Transitioning to the FBS level in 2001, the team faced elite competition from powerhouses like LSU, Arkansas, and Kentucky, proving their ability to compete on the national stage.
Warhawks Achievements
The Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks basketball program has also made its mark with multiple Sun Belt Tournament appearances and regular season titles, contributing to the school’s growing athletic prestige. The team’s success in developing well-rounded student-athletes reflects ULM’s commitment to excellence both on and off the court.
Over the decades, the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks have become a symbol of resilience and progress in college athletics. With remarkable achievements across football and basketball, they continue to strengthen their reputation within the Sun Belt Conference and beyond. The Warhawks’ rich history, fueled by determination and community pride, ensures their legacy remains strong for generations to come.
