JOURNAL SPORTS

Two local residents, Shreveporter Wayne Smith and Evangel Christian Academy football assistant  Ronnie Alexander, are among the eight-person Louisiana Tech Athletics 2025 Hall of Fame class announced Wednesday.

This year’s class includes seven former student-athletes and coaches, along with one longtime athletic trainer, whose contributions spanned decades of excellence.

The 2025 inductees are Alexander (football), Randy Crouch (football), Billy Ryckman (football), Ray Germany (men’s basketball), Smith (men’s basketball), Cheryl Ford (Lady Techsters basketball), Gary Stanley (track & field/cross country coach) and Sam Wilkinson (athletic trainer).

“When you think of historic success of Bulldog and Lady Techster teams, all eight of these individuals played a significant role in that success,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. “Each of these individuals achieved a tremendous amount of success during their time at Louisiana Tech, and we all stand on their shoulders today.”

Alexander starred at linebacker for the Bulldogs from 1967-70. A 1970 All-American and All-Gulf States Conference selection, Alexander led the team in tackles in both 1969 (120) and 1970 (130), and his 23-tackle performance against Southeastern Louisiana remains tied for third-most in a single game in program history. He was also a member of the 1969 GSC championship team and is included in both the Football 100-Year Anniversary Team and the list of 50 Greatest Players in Joe Aillet Stadium history.

A Vivian native, Alexander played at North Caddo High School before moving into Shreveport before his senior season when he played for coach A.L Williams at Woodlawn. He was later defensive coordinator for Williams on staffs at Northwestern State and Tech and is a longtime defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at ECA.

A Shreveport native and resident, Smith was an All-State guard at now-defunct Trinity Heights Academy.

Smith, who donned the Bulldog uniform from 1982-86, was the ultimate floor general, ranking second all-time in assists (712) and fifth in steals (185). He started all 127 games of his college career – the most in program history – and helped lead Tech teams featuring Karl Malone to 94 wins, three postseason appearances including the 1985 NCAA Sweet 16, and marquee victories over national powers like Louisville, Ohio State, and Florida.

Germany, one of the all-time Bulldog basketball greats, played from 1955-60. He was a two-time All-American (1959, 1960), four-time All-Gulf States Conference selection, and was invited to the 1960 Olympic Trials. Germany scored 1,393 points and grabbed 844 rebounds during his career and was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Louisiana as a high school senior. He worked for over a decade in Bossier City.

Crouch, a quarterback from 1971-74, helped guide Louisiana Tech to unprecedented success. A four-time Southland Conference champion and key part of three national championship teams (1972, 1973, 1974), Crouch was a first team All-Southland pick in 1974 and earned spots on the Football 100-Year Anniversary and 50 Greatest Players in Joe Aillet Stadium History teams.

Ryckman, an electrifying wide receiver from 1973-76, earned All-America honors in 1976 and played a pivotal role in back-to-back national championship teams in 1973 and 1974. His 1,382 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 1976 still rank among the best single-season performances in program history. A member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team, Ryckman was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and spent three seasons in the NFL.

Ford, one of the most dominant players in Lady Techster history, played from 1999 to 2003. A two-time WAC Player of the Year and 2003 AP Honorable Mention All-American, Ford led the program to four conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths. Her 1,056 rebounds rank eighth in school history, and she was selected No. 3 overall in the 2003 WNBA Draft. Ford went on to win three WNBA titles and earn four All-Star nods during her 11-year pro career.

Stanley dedicated four decades to Louisiana Tech track & field and cross country, serving as head coach for track and field for 34 years and cross country for 36. Under his leadership, Tech won 21 conference championships, produced 46 All-Americans, and earned 21 Coach of the Year honors across four different conferences. His women’s teams reached top national and regional finishes, and his 2007 4x400m relay team finished third in the nation.

Wilkinson, affectionately known as “Chief,” served as Tech’s athletic trainer from 1977 to 2008. A steady and compassionate presence for three decades, Wilkinson was known for his tireless dedication to student-athletes across all sports. He helped shape the infrastructure of the sports medicine department and provided care that extended beyond the campus and into the Ruston community

The 2025 Hall of Fame class will be formally inducted on Saturday, Nov. 1 as part of Homecoming Weekend in Ruston.