HAMMOND, Louisiana – Rick Fremin has been named the head softball coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced on Wednesday.Fremin's hire is subject to approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. The Belle Chasse, Louisiana native will be the seventh head coach in program history.
Fremin comes to Hammond after spending the previous five seasons at Jackson State. Artigues believes Fremin can lead the Lady Lions to success.
"My goal for all of our student-athletes is that when they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas that they do so with a Southland Conference championship ring on their fingers," Artigues said. "In the past couple of years, football, baseball, soccer and track have all won conference championships and we feel that Rick has the right experience, energy and work ethic to help our softball program reach that next level. We're very excited to have Rick join the Lion Nation."
Fremin is eager to get started with his new team.
"I'm excited about coming home," Fremin said. "Southeastern Louisiana is a dream job for me and my goal is to build our program into a regional and national power. It will be a lot of hard work and it won't happen overnight, but we're extremely excited about the challenge. My family and I are very thankful for the opportunity. We are excited to become a part of the Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond and Louisiana community."
Fremin has led JSU to the last three Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) East Division championships – the first three in school history. During his five years in Jackson, Fremin has led the Tigers to 137 victories, including a 67-16 record in league contests. In his first season at Jackson State, he led his team to the first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
He was named the 2014 SWAC Coach of the Year and helped JSU set 70 school records during his five years at JSU. Fremin's squad led the nation with 163 stolen bases in 2012. During his tenure, Fremin's teams won games over Ole Miss, Arkansas, Houston and Texas Tech among others. Fremin was also a member of the NCAA Central Regional Advisory Committee from 2012-14.
Prior to his time at Jackson State, Fremin spent five seasons at Belhaven University, accumulating a 186-95 record. His 2010 squad made the program's first NAIA National Tournament appearance and finished the season ranked sixth in the final national poll. During his time with the Blazers, he coached eight NAIA All-Americans.
Fremin was an assistant coach at Millsaps in 2005, helping the Majors to a SCAC West Division championship. Fremin's teams have also consistently excelled in the classroom, being recognized by the NFCA with Academic All-American team honors on eight different occasions.
Fremin started his coaching career at his alma mater Belle Chasse High School, where he was named District 11-3A Coach of the Year twice after leading BCHS to district titles in each of his two seasons at the helm. The 1995 Belle Chasse graduate was a four-year letterman in football, baseball, and golf at BCHS.
A 2007 inductee in the Belhaven Sports Hall of Fame, Fremin was a three-year team captain and quarterback for the Blazers. Fremin earned his bachelor's degree in sport administration from Belhaven in 1999 and earned his master's in sports science from Jackson State in 2013.
Fremin and his wife, Alana, are the parents of two daughters, Brelan and Cambre.
Fremin replaces Pete Langlois, who vacated the position last month after accepting the role of Assistant to the Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations.
Fremin will host three "Meet and Greet" sessions in the area early next month with area high school coaches, travel ball coaches and alumni all invited. Fremin will be in the Northshore area on Aug. 3, Baton Rouge on Aug. 4 and New Orleans on Aug. 5. The "meet and greets" will be held from 7-8 p.m. with locations to be announced.
COURTESY SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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