LA Tech holds spring practice in Bossier

BOSSIER, LA (KTAL/KMSS) – On Tuesday, Louisiana Tech had its second to last spring practice in Bossier at Freedom Field, with an open invite to the community hoping to gain some support from LA Tech fans and alumni in the Shreveport area.

“I thought it was really cool just that you know Coach Cumbie and the community of Freedom Fields is wanting to do this,” Northwood alum Mason Welch and LA Tech QB. ” It was really cool just to get back, a lot of us are from this Shreveport. So it just means a lot to us and I know it means a lot to the community around here.”

With practices not typically open to friends and family it gives families an opportunity to see into the life of their favorite player.

“We had a good practice today. It’s always good to be back in front of the family and let them see a side of my life they don’t normally get to see,” long snapper and Loyola Alum Ean Burch said.

On Tuesday night, those Shreveport locals stood out.

“Jay Simon made some big plays from Calvary Baptists, we’ve signed Kolby Thomas from Calvary Baptists,” head coach Sonny Cumbie said. “We’ve got Kendrick Rucker from Huntington on our football team. We’ve got several guys from this area. I think for to have those guys to come back home, there’s obviously a little bit more bounce in their step too to be able to play in front of their friends and family and practice anyways in front of all the people that know them.”

After a disappointing outing last time the Bulldogs were in Shreveport for the Independence Bowl against Army, LA Tech was excited to showcase what’s to come this season. The Bulldogs also feel like the momentum from the post season play is carrying over into this spring.

“I feel like it allowed us as a team to take a step forward towards this year,” Welch said.

“It changes a lot of guys’ minds about what we can be and what we’ve been,” Burch said. “It shows people that we have, we have a foot to stand on now.”

The Bulldogs have been making an effort to prioritize Shreveport because of its close proximity to Ruston. Doing so by inviting the community to be up close and personal with the team, as close as standing on the sidelines for practice and the Spring Showcase on Saturday, May 26.