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Ville Platte native and Sacred Heart alum, Jacob Fontenot, was recently named as the assistant athletic director at McNeese State University. Jacob will assume duties on July 1. (Gazette photo by Tracy Jacneaux)

Ville Platte native named assistant athletic director at McNeese State

BY: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

How does a biology major become the new assistant athletic director at his alma mater? If you are Jacob “Timbo” Fontenot, it’s a matter of faith in God and making new connections.
Fontenot, a 2001 graduate of Sacred Heart High School, definitely took an unconventional route to his new career.
“I truly took the non-traditional path to this new job,” said Fontenot with a sly grin. “When I left McNeese, I never thought that I would have the opportunity to be in this position. Without God’s guiding hand and the connections I made along the way, I probably would not be where I am today.”
As a student at McNeese, Fontenot’s campus job was as an athletic trainer. He started working strictly with the football team. But as time progressed, Fontenot found himself working with other athletic teams, specifically the volleyball team.
The McNeese athletic department staff soon found themselves taking a liking to the affable young trainer. It is through these connections that Fontenot began to think about changing course in his career path.
“A number of people in the athletic department knew my major was forensics and told me I should think about moving toward a career in athletics,” stated Fontenot. “They told me I would not be happy behind a desk. I guess they saw something in me that showed I had a passion for athletics.”
Part of that could be tied to his role in the creation of the Tee Cotton Bowl. Fonenot and his dad, Tim “Doctor Tim” Fontenot were the co-founders of the monumental high school game between Ville Platte and Sacred Heart. In fact “Timbo” was the inspiration for that game.
Armed with the words from people he came to trust, Fontenot made a major decision that changed the course of his life. Fontenot decided to take a chance and apply as an intern to the College Football Hall of Fame.
His love of athletics, amazing personality and glowing recommendations from former mentors, allowed Fontenot to be the first biology major to be accepted as an intern to the historic organization.
“I had visited the hall of fame on a family vacation in 1997,” commented Fontenot. “The history of the hall had a deep impact on me then. I have always had a passion for athletics in general and that visit just entrenched that passion. So, I went online and saw they were looking for an intern and I took a chance and applied.”
While at the hall of fame, Fontenot wore many hats. He was in charge of helping coordinate the enshrinement ceremonies as well as the golf tournament during the enshrinement week.
He then made the transition into the special projectors coordinator after the 2011 enshrinement ceremony. It is here where he met another important person that helped shape his career path, Lisa Klunder.
“Lisa was my boss at the hall of fame,” said Fontenot. “When she left to take a job with the Kelly Cares foundation, she offered me to be a part of the foundation. The foundation was in transition to Atlanta, but I was able to stay on in South Bend.”
The Kelly Cares foundation was started by Notre Dame Head football Coach Brian Kelly and his wife. It is a non-profit organization that is built on three pillars; health, education and community. The foundation helps those in need in the three areas. While there Fontenot received a wealth of experience.
“My role at the Kelly Cares foundation was as a special projects coordinator,” stated Fontenot. “My job was to oversee all social media, helping with event operations, helping with fundraisers such as golf events and galas from coast to coast. And what was cool was that Lisa’s husband was part of the Notre Dame athletic department. This allowed me to pick his brain about the operations of all aspects of athletics.”
In the small world of college athletics, word gets around when someone is good at their job. Fontenot’s work ethic and reputation for getting the job done got back to McNeese athletic director Bruce Hemphill.
Next thing Fontenot knew, Hemphill was calling him to apply for the assistant athletic job at his alma mater.
“Mr. Hemphill reached out to me and gave me a heads up on the job opening,” said Fontenot. “It was the first time that I was recruited for a job and it felt great. I flew down and met with Mr. Hemphill and the staff and the rest is history. It just felt right, like it was familiar to me.”
Fontenot will once again wear many hats. He will be in charge of event operations and marketing. Fontenot will take on the task of running game day events, promotions, assisting in team travel and helping sell the McNeese brand.
Being an alumnus of the university, Fontenot has some goals close to his heart. “I want to expose people to the McNeese brand again,” said an adamant Fontenot. “We have a special brand and great history. There has been a huge influx of people in the Lake Charles area and my job is to show them the greatness of McNeese and let them see how much fun they can have at events on the campus, so they will keep coming back.”
There is no doubt that Fontnot’s passion for the university he has called home, that goal will be an easy one to accomplish.

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