Hugues Laverdière, Ӱר96, found his roots when he came into the UL Lafayette French program.
ӰרI choose to attend UL Lafayette primarily because of the strong tennis team but also I wanted to experience my French roots in Louisiana,Ӱר he said. ӰרMy ancestors came from Normandy into Canada and some went south in Louisiana.
ӰרIt was surreal to meet the different people and see the traditions of the famous Thibodeaux and Sonnier families, for example,Ӱר he said. ӰרTo discover folk music like zydeco, jazz and blues was unreal for me. To attend the famous New Orleans music festival with my fellow students was unforgettable!Ӱר
While he was here, Hugues found more than just a vibrant culture Ӱר he learned an invaluable skill.
ӰרOne of the most important things I learned from my time at UL Lafayette was how to work in a team environment,Ӱר he said. ӰרBecause tennis is an individual sport, I never learned how to be a team player before attending UL Lafayette. Suddenly I had teammates that could help me out for many things even more than tennis.Ӱר
Hugues has been a tennis professional one way or another since graduation.
ӰרI spent a few years on the professional tennis tour after my graduation in 1996,Ӱר he said. ӰרThen I decided I was going to help everybody I could through tennis.
ӰרI founded back in my hometown to continue to teach (the) great values that I learned at UL Lafayette,Ӱר he said. ӰרDedication, teamwork and the most important of all, like former coach Holden would say: follow your passions.Ӱר
Hugues sends off students with an inspiring piece of advice.
ӰרBe passionate about what you do, embrace it, own it,Ӱר he said. ӰרIf you fail, adjust, evolve, find a solution. ItӰרs like a tennis match: you can find a key at any point. Be alert. And most important of all: keep fighting. Geaux Cajuns!Ӱר
