JOURNAL SPORTS
RUSTON — As Louisiana Tech Athletics begins its first season back in the Sun Belt Conference, the Bulldogs and ULM’s Warhawks have collaborated to launch the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series.
This year-long all-sports championship sprung from the renewal of one of the state’s longest-standing collegiate football rivalries.
Presented by Radiance Technologies, the Rivalry Series will unite competition across 12 varsity sports into a single season-long championship, with the Bulldogs, Lady Techsters and Warhawks competing throughout the academic year for annual bragging rights and the inaugural Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series title.
Separated by 35 miles along Interstate 20, Louisiana Tech and ULM have competed against one another for generations. While the two institutions have continued to meet in several sports in recent years, Louisiana Tech’s return to the Sun Belt Conference restores annual conference competition across much of the athletic calendar. It brings the football rivalry back for the first time in more than 25 years.
“We are excited to formalize this long-standing rivalry,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. “Since athletics started on both of our campuses, we have seen some incredible individual achievements, contests, and finishes. As we begin this new chapter together in the Sun Belt Conference, this series allows us to elevate a rivalry that matters to our student-athletes, alumni, and communities while creating meaningful engagement across all our sports.
“We are grateful to Radiance Technologies for sharing our vision and investing in a partnership that will celebrate competition, strengthen regional connections, and create something our fans can rally around year after year.”
“I think this rivalry is special for our region and having a partner like Radiance Technologies involved only amplifies that,” said S.J. Tuohy, ULM Director of Athletics. “Radiance does so much not only for North Louisiana, but our country as a whole. As for the series itself, I love that it brings together student-athletes from different sports to compete together for a trophy and I’m excited to watch them get going this fall.”
The series is made possible through the support of title sponsor Radiance Technologies, an employee-owned technology company led by Louisiana Tech alumnus and Chief Executive Officer Bill Bailey.
“Radiance is thrilled to be part of the renewal of the historic rivalry between Louisiana Tech and ULM,” said Bailey. “We also believe in giving back; that is why we are investing in this storied series. As Radiance’s presence in North Louisiana continues to grow, our contributions to the community will grow as well.”
Each of the 12 eligible varsity sports carries equal value in determining the annual champion. From football Saturdays and basketball doubleheaders to conference championships in cross country, golf, and track & field, every result contributes toward the overall standings.
To ensure competitive balance, only sports sponsored by both institutions at the varsity level are included in the annual standings. Sports sponsored by only one institution will not count toward the championship.
The annual championship includes competition in the following 12 varsity sports:
Head-to-Head Competition
- Football (single game)
- Men’s Basketball (season series)
- Women’s Basketball (season series)
- Baseball (season series)
- Softball (season series)
- Volleyball (season series)
- Women’s Soccer (single match)
Conference Finish Competition
- Men’s Cross Country
- Women’s Cross Country
- Men’s Golf
- Men’s Track & Field (combined indoor/outdoor conference finish)
- Women’s Track & Field (combined indoor/outdoor conference finish)
Each sport is worth one point toward the annual standings.
- Every sport is valued equally.
- The winner of each sport earns one point.
- Sports ending in a tie award one-half point to each institution.
- The first institution to earn 6.5 points clinches the annual series championship.
- If the annual standings finish tied, the winner of the football game will be declared the overall Rivalry Series champion.
Standings will be updated on both schools’ athletic websites throughout the competitive calendar.