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On January 9, 2003, LSUS named Chad McDowell its head men’s basketball coach, sparking a new era of LSUS basketball after the program was forced to shut down in 1997. And since that time, what McDowell and his Pilots have accomplished is nothing short of spectacular.
The Pilots took the court for the first time in six years on November 6, 2003, and walked away with an impressive 86-69 victory over Bethel College in the season opener. In their first season back after a half-decade absence from intercollegiate competition, the Pilots posted a 23-12 overall record, falling just short of an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament. LSUS sported a 12-1 record at home in 2003-04, one of the best home marks in the nation that year. The Pilots were led by sophomore Rico Payne who finished the season as the GCAC Newcomer of the Year and LSWA Small College Player of the Year after averaging 21.7 points per game
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In 2004-05, LSUS returned four starters off of the previous year’s squad, as the hopes for a record-breaking season were alive in the LSUS community. The Pilots did not disappoint in ’04-’05, winning 27 games and capturing the program’s first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference title. LSUS recorded the program’s first “signature” win, defeating the No. 5-ranked Oklahoma Baptist Bison on their home court, snapping the school’s 32-game home opener winning streak. The Pilots also advanced to their first-ever NAIA National Tournament and defeated Cumberland University in the first round before falling to the eventual National Champion, John Brown University, in the Sweet Sixteen. Payne continued to torch the LSUS record books in 2004-05, on his way to becoming the school’s first NAIA All-American
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The 2005-06 season saw the Pilots reach new heights never before seen at LSUS. The ’05-’06 squad, led once again by Payne and GCAC Newcomer of the Year Josh Porter, recorded 28 victories, including a 14-1 mark at home, while winning their second consecutive GCAC regular season crown and their first-ever GCAC Tournament title. The Pilots also achieved a No. 1 National Ranking in 2006, the highest ranking of any program in school history. LSUS entered the National Tournament as the No. 2 seed; however, they were upset in the first round by Southern Poly (Ga.). Payne concluded his career in 2006 with a second consecutive NAIA All-American selection, and as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,244 career points. Porter also earned All-America honors in 2006, after averaging 19 points in his first season with the Pilots.
LSUS began the 2006-07 on a high note, winning nine of their first ten games; however, a damper was put on for much of the beginning of the season when Preseason All-American Josh Porter suffered a life-threatening neck injury versus SAGU on November 28, 2006. The Pilots rallied around Josh’s miraculous recovery following season ending neck surgery to finish with a 25-7 record. The Pilots made their third consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearance in 2007 after capturing their second straight GCAC Tournament title. Point guard Freddy Hughes earned All-America honors in 2007, becoming the third Pilot player in school history to do so.
The 2007-08 season marked the return of All-American Josh Porter to the basketball court, as LSUS basketball set out for another record-breaking season. On October 31, 2007 the Pilots picked up their first-ever win over a NCAA Division 1 program, knocking off McNeese State University, 86-80. One week later, LSUS defeated cross-town rival Centenary College (80-72) in the “Shreveport Showdown.” The Pilots began the ’07-08 season winning a school record 17 consecutive games, while on their way to finishing the season with a school record 31 wins. The Pilots won their third GCAC regular season title in four years, while also winning their third straight GCAC Tournament championship. LSUS made their fourth consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearance in 2008, entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Pilots advanced to their second “Sweet 16” in school history with a 71-69 victory over USAO. Following the season, Porter was named the GCAC Player of the Year, LSWA Small College Player of the Year, a First-Team NAIA All-American and the Basketball Times NAIA Player of the Year. Porter was also awarded the USBWA Most Courageous Award for his remarkable comeback following a life-threatening neck injury. In addition to Porter, LSUS senior Jamon Morris led the country in double-doubles (25) and earned All-America honors, making LSUS the only program in the country with two All-Americans.
The Pilots compiled an overall record of 22-12 during the 2008-2009 season and a 12-6 record in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference which was good enough for a 2nd place finish in the regular season. LSUS continued the dominance of the GCAC Tournament and won their 4th straight, defeating Dillard in the opening round 85-67, routing Belhaven in the semi-finals 94-75, and claimed the title with their defeat of Spring Hill in the championship game 67-58. Chris Gatlin led the team shooting 49% (16.56 P/G) from the field on the year. Jared Stevenson led the Pilots with 42 steals while Brandon Mims was first on the team in block with 39. Derrick Parker was the top rebounder on the team with 259 (7.62 R/G). Parker was also named the GCAC Freshman of the Year.
Over the past five seasons, Coach Chad McDowell has racked up three GCAC Coach of the Year awards (2004, 2005 and 2008) and five LSWA Small College Coach of the Year Awards (2004-2008), while also being named the LABC Coach of the Year in 2008. Since 2003, McDowell and his Pilots have compiled a 154-47 (.766) overall record, the most wins of any collegiate program in the State of Louisiana over that span.
LSUS plays all of its home games at “The Dock,” which continually tests its 1,200-seat capacity every time the Pilots step on the floor.
LSUS is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and competes in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).
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