Four former athletes from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during Homecoming 2008 activities next week. Alana Addison, Xavier Hernandez, Lana Jimenez Stokley and Brandon Stokley will be inducted during a luncheon on Homecoming Day Nov. 1.
The Hall of Fame award is given to former lettermen who have distinguished themselves in athletic competition while attending SLI/USL/UL Lafayette and who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities and to the University.
Nominations are accepted from many sources, and the final selections are made by the UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermen Club Executive Board and approved by the Athletic Director and the President of the University. The UL Lafayette Athletic Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermen Club, a chapter of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association.
Alana AddisonNominated by Stefni Lotief, Alana Addison was a four-year letterman for the nationally ranked Lady Cajun softball team from 1999-2002. Alana was a two-time All South selection in 2001 and 2002, an All-American selection in 2001 and ranks 16th all-time in the NCAA in career put-out assists with 538. Alana also ranks high in several categories in Cajun history including second in games played with 249, third in at-bats at 773, third in runs scored with 216, tied for second in doubles with 68, fourth in homeruns with 57, third in RBI’s with 221 and third in total bases with 508.
Alana continued her softball career making the top 20 in the 2003 US Olympic trials and participating as part of the US Elite team in the Canada Cup. She received her degree in General Studies in 2002.
Xavier HernandezXavier Hernandez, who was nominated by fellow teammate Doug Kellogg, was a three-year letterman for the Ragin’ Cajun baseball team from 1984-86. As a pitcher, Xavier was named All-Louisiana in 1985, ranked first in team wins in 1985 and 1986 with 10 and nine respectively, is second on the career shutout list and is ranked third in school history in complete games.
Xavier was first drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986 and went on to pitch for the Houston Astros, the New York Yankees, the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers. During his professional career he played in 463 games, recorded 562 strikeouts and had a career ERA of 3.90.
He received dual degrees in Psychology and Sociology in 2001 from Houston Baptist University. Currently, Xavier is the pitching coach for the Durham Bulls (AAA) an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He is married to Deborah Breaux (USL ‘88) and has four children—Danielle, Michael, Sarah and Stephen.
Lana Jimenez StokleyLana Jimenez Stokley, nominated by Danny Cottonham, was a four-year starter for the nationally ranked Lady Cajun softball team from 1994-1997. Lana was a member of two teams that made it to the College World Series and helped them stage fifth and sixth place finishes.
As a Lady Cajun, Lana received numerous awards including four All South Regional selections and two All American selections. Lana also holds the school record for triples with 19 and ended her career with a .378 batting average. She received her degree in Sociology from UL Lafayette in 2000.
Lana spends much of her time working with charities and foundations including the Meningitis Foundation. She is married to fellow inductee Brandon Stokley and has two children—Cameron and Carson.
Brandon StokleyNominated by Danny Cottonham, Brandon Stokley was a four-year letterman for the Ragin’ Cajun football team from 1995-1998. During his career as a wide receiver, Brandon was named first team All-Louisiana in 1998, pre-season All-American in 1997, had three 1,000+ yard seasons and was the first player in NCAA Division 1A to average 100 yards per game over a four-year career.
Brandon is the all-time UL Lafayette leader in passes caught at 241, reception yardage at 3,702 and touchdown receptions with 25. Brandon also excelled off the field, making the Sun Belt Conference academic honor roll in 1995, 1997 and 1998. He continued his football career after college first with the Baltimore Ravens—where he won a Super Bowl Championship, then with the Indianapolis Colts and now with the Denver Broncos. Brandon graduated from UL Lafayette in 2002 with a degree in General Studies. He is married to Lana Jimenez Stokley and has two sons—Cameron and Carson.