| Joey McNeely sacks LSU quarterback Max Johnson during the 2021 McNeese-LSU game. Photo courtesy of McNeese Athletics. |
| By Dubem Akukwe The Poke Press For decades, the Bonnette name has been tied to athletics communications at McNeese and LSU. Louis Bonnette spent 46 years as McNeese’s Sports Information Director before retiring in 2012. His path in athletics communications was followed by his two sons; Michael and Matthew. Michael Bonnette, a 1993 LSU graduate, was named Sports Information Director in August 2000. He later moved to his current role as LSU Athletics’ Communications Director and Associate Athletics Director. Matthew Bonnette, a 2002 McNeese graduate, succeeded his father and was named Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Information. He was promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director in the spring of 2023 That connection has helped give the LSU-McNeese matchup an informal nickname, the “Bonnette Bowl,” however, the Bonnette family is not the only one to have linked the two university together in sports. When LSU and McNeese played against each other for the second time in school history in 2021, LSU was coached by Ed Orgeron while his son Cody Orgeron was McNeese’s starting quarterback. Cody’s twin brother, Parker Orgeron, was on staff with the Tigers working in player development after previously playing as wide receiver for McNeese. The family ties add another layer to the matchup but ultimately give way to friendly competition as McNeese battles LSU Saturday at 6:45 p.m. in Tiger Stadium. |
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