This Saturday, as the 2002 Homecoming King and Queen are being crowned, Doug Hudson and Sunny Raye Bourgeois, 1986 Homecoming King and Queen, will be reminiscing.
Hudson, born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Gulf Breeze, Florida, was recruited by Joe Clarke, past offensive coordinator, to attend Nicholls and play Colonel football in 1982.
“I was grateful to be chosen as an adopted Cajun from Florida,” Hudson said.
Hudson said there were many memorable moments in his football career at Nicholls.
“I remember guys making plays. Mark Carrier was fun to watch. He would turn a 5-yard pass into a touchdown. Brian Stropolo was equally good. At 5’8″ 170 lbs, he was pound for pound the best I’ve seen,” he said.
Hudson remembers the student section giving the Colonels a half-time stand during home games.
“It was a great feeling for the whole team,” he said. “My overall memory of Nicholls football is one of team achievement. Winning when no one else thought we could.”
“We had a great season in 1987 going 10-3,” he said.
Hudson is not surprised at all that Nicholls is currently 5-1, and he still keeps up with Colonel football.
Although Hudson was named Homecoming King, the Colonels lost their first game of the season that night. Hudson’s father had to fill in for him on the Court during half time because the coaching staff needed the extra time with him.
“Dad was kind enough to fill in during homecoming festivities. He still looks younger than I do,” he said.
Hudson said he enjoyed the bon fire and watching everyone have a great time during homecoming week. On a more serious note, Hudson said Nicholls helped him to structure his time and clearly define his personal goals.
“Most importantly, the people of Nicholls helped to develop my spirituality,” he said.
As well as being selected as Homecoming King, Hudson was 2nd team All American Football News, Honorable Mention All American Associated Press, Gulf Star Conference Player of the Year, Louisiana’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year and 1986 Leading touchdown passer for both Division 1-A and 1-AA.
Hudson was a psychology major and a business minor. He moved to Tennessee after being hired in the pharmaceutical industry. He is currently a territory manager, a real estate agent and a full-time dad with multiple coaching responsibilities.
Hudson met his wife, Ann Blanchard Hudson, while they were students at Nicholls.
“I saw her on campus, and I was awestruck. We became good friends and later married. That was the best pass completion I ever made,” Hudson said.
Mrs. Hudson’s first impression of him was that he was nice and good-looking, but she was late for church, and did not have time to visit.
“I grew to love and appreciate his values, his deep sense of commitment, his love for Christ and his courage to just be himself,” she said.
Mrs. Hudson said her husband works hard and gives back to young boys his talents and knowledge of football.
They have been married for 14 years and have three children: Matthew, 13, Catherine, 10 and Grace, six months.
“He has coached Matt’s teams for the past four years and has worked with young men in the community helping them develop their talents. He even coaches Catherine’s soccer and basketball teams,” Mrs. Hudson said.
She said Matthew and Catherine’s favorite foods are gumbo and crawfish stew. “I am a firm believer in ‘never forget where you came from,'” she said.
Mrs. Hudson, a graduate of Central Lafourche High School, was 1st Maid on the Homecoming Court in 1985 and Miss Nicholls in 1987.
While at Nicholls, Mrs. Hudson was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Council. She was also selected for Who’s Who Among American College Students.
She chose Nicholls for its nursing program and because she wanted to stay close to home. She currently works as a registered nurse in a post-anesthesia care unit.
“Not only did Nicholls provide me with an excellent education, it taught me to work hard for what I want and what is important to me,” Mrs. Hudson said.
The one thing she enjoys most about life now is having the opportunity to work part-time and being a mom who is there for her children.
She advises students to embrace every moment at Nicholls. “When your days at Nicholls are over, honor them by blooming where you’re planted. Take with you all it has given you. Believe me, the world needs more good Cajuns.”
Doug and Ann Hudson were not the only sweethearts to meet at Nicholls. 1986 Homecoming Queen Sunny Raye Bourgeois and her husband Troy Bourgeois, of Houston, Texas, also met at Nicholls.
“We met my freshman year at Nicholls, and we were married during the spring semester of my sophomore year,” Bourgeois said. “We had the same history teacher but not the same class. His pick-up line was that he wanted to compare history notes.”
They have one son, Brogan Jackson Bourgeois, who just turned three.
“He loves football, and is looking forward to watching the Colonels beat Stephen F. Austin on Saturday,” she said.
Bourgeois said the Homecoming of 1986 was both fun and exciting. She said she was definitely surprised to be chosen as Homecoming Queen.
“My whole Homecoming experience was very memorable, but the outpour of congratulations from my fellow peers will never be forgotten.” she said.
“To be Homecoming Queen where my husband played football and my father coached was pretty awesome!”
Bourgeois enjoyed spending time with the other court members the day of the game. “We had a good time at the golf tournament held for the Alumni,” she said.
She also had fun at the football game: Nicholls vs. Sam Houston.
“I don’t think any of us sat during the whole game. We cheered for the Colonels, who lost their first game of the season,” Bourgeois said.
She remembers how much camaraderie the football team displayed during the whole 1986 football season.
Bourgeois was the first Homecoming Queen who was married. Her husband played for the Nicholls’ football team as a starting defensive back.
“It was also pretty cool that Doug Hudson was chosen as King. He was a friend of mine and my husband’s, and he was the quarterback,” she said.
Bourgeois graduated from E.D. White High School.
“I chose Nicholls because I wanted to become a part of a university instead of a number,” she said.
Bourgeois worked in the Dean of Students’ office for four years, along with being the campus representative for Miller Brewing Company.
“Both of these jobs allowed me the opportunity to meet and work with many of the organizations on campus,” she said.
She was also an active member at St. Thomas Aquinas and was involved with the Athletic Department.
Bourgeois graduated with an undergraduate degree in finance in May 1987. She returned to Nicholls in 1991 as a graduate student and obtained a Masters in Business Administration in 1992.
Since graduation, Bourgeois has worked in the banking industry, the casino industry and financial planning.
“Today I work for my son, which is the most challenging and rewarding job I have had yet,” she said.
Bourgeois was on the Dean’s and President’s List, the National Dean’s List and received several marketing awards from her position with Miller Brewing Company.
Bourgeois said she enjoys her home life.
“I love watching my son learn and grow everyday. I love playing with my two four-legged children and supporting my husband as he works hard to provide for his family. My spiritual life is also very important to me today,” she said.
Bourgeois urges students not to wish the years away.
“They go fast enough on their own. Enjoy your friends,” she said.