Ville Platte native joins collegiate coaching ranks

BY: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

Growing up, most people go through several career choices. It is very rare that a person knows exactly what they want out of life. For Logan Hebert, the job she now holds is what she has dreamed of doing for many years.
The former Sacred Heart High School and LSU-A star pitcher has just completed her first year as assistant coach in charge of pitching at her college alma mater.
“I have always said I wanted to be a college coach,” said Hebert enthusiastically. “Since I can remember, I have dreamed of pitching on the college level and then become a coach and help take a team to the World Series.”
Dream accomplished. This past season, the Lady Generals participated in the NAIA Division I World Series after an impressive 50-3 record.
At Sacred Heart, the district MVP hurler, guided the Lady Trojans to state tournament her sophomore year. After a stellar high school career, Hebert took her talents to Bossier Community College for her fist year in the collegiate ranks.
The transition from high school to college was an eye opening experience for Hebert.
“In high school, you can get away with some things that you can’t in college on the mound,” commented Hebert. “I learned how to spin the ball in high school, but I had to learn how to master the pitches in college. As a college pitcher, you have to be able to spot the ball a whole lot better, because you are going to face good hitters one through nine.”
Learning how to pitch was not the only lesson learned by Hebert at the next level.
“Being on your own and having to be self disciplined is a very valuable lesson you have to learn quickly,” stated Hebert. “You have to make sure that you manage your time wisely. Also, the family atmosphere seems to be on a different level. Every player has to rely on each other more in college, because everyone is on their own and you need each other to get by.”
Hebert stayed only one year at Bossier before transferring to LSU-A.
“It’s not that I didn’t like Bossier, it’s just that I was homesick. I mean I was coming back to Ville Platte every chance I got. A couple of my teammates were coming to LSU-A and asked me to join them. It was an easy decision because I was closer to home and LSU-A was a four-year school
For Hebert the move was probably the best choice she could have made. Hebert remains record holder for total combined wins in the program’s history. She finished with an overall record of 49-28 and a career ERA of 3.33. Hebert totaled 252 strikeouts and threw 11 shutouts in 95 starts.
Hebert also guided the Lady Generals to its first A.I.I. conference championship and regional championship. She pitched in the program’s first World Series game ever.
In 2014, her senior year, Hebert was named to the A.I.I all-conference first team, the NFCA all-regional second team as well being selected to the All-Louisiana honorable mention team. Her connection to the university is the main reason for Hebert’s chance at collegiate coaching.
Only one year removed from being an active player for the Lady Generals has some implications now that Hebert is coaching a number of her teammates from last season.
“At first my age and the fact that I am coaching my former teammates was a hard transition,” said Hebert. “I struggled with drawing the line between being friends and being their coach at the beginning of the season. If I had started coaching at another university, it probably would have been easier. It was especially hard when you are coaching your former roommate. But, the players and I adjusted. I now have players saying ‘yes mam’, which I never would have expected.”
When asked if she could point to something in her life that made it possible for her to fulfill her dream, Hebert was quick to answer.
“My parents were the most influential people in my life,” stated Hebert emphatically. “They were there for all the ups and downs. They pushed me when I didn’t want to be pushed and they stayed on me all of the time because they believed in me. You know my dad coached me all of my life, even into college. That was huge for me.”
Hebert has high expectations for future in coaching, but knows that it will take a tremendous amount of work to get where she ultimately wants to be.
“Eventually, I would love to be a head coach on the college level,” said Hebert. “I am young and have a lot to learn. In order be a head coach, I have to have the right mentors. I feel as a person, I am not there yet. I know a lot about pitching, but have a lot to learn with the other aspects of the game.”
Whether or not Hebert eventually reaches the pinnacle of her career will not define her as a coach and a person. What will define her personally and professionally will be how much she passes on the knowledge she has gained on and off the field; how much of a mentor she becomes.