Donald J. Champagne
September 29, 2009
Jerome Burrell
October 1, 2009
Despite his 210-pound frame at the time, Thaddeus Lumar prowled on opposing players as an “undersized” linebacker for the Nicholls Colonels from 1984 to 1988 under head coaches Sonny Jackson and Phil Greco.
He was also a roommate of former NFL receiver Mark Carrier when the two were teammates on the Colonels.
After his playing career, Lumar completed his business degree in 1989. Eventually, he joined the U.S. Army. He is in his 13th year of active duty.
SportsNet caught up with Lumar to talk about his time in Thibodaux.
SportsNet: What was your best memory of your time spent at Nicholls?
Thaddeus Lumar Sr.: It wasn’t so much what happened on the football field, it’s what playing football allowed me to do. Playing football allowed me to get my education. It made me who I am today.
SN: Are you still a big supporter of Nicholls’ athletics?
TL: I’m in the military but I am definitely a supporter of Nicholls. I still want them to do well and my son recently enrolled there, so it makes it that much more special. I haven’t been there in a while because of my schedule, but I still support them as much as I can.
SN: You had a chance to play under Sonny Jackson who certainly left his mark at Nicholls. What was that like?
TL: It was a professional environment. Even though we were a Division I-AA, everything he did from the training room to breakfast to lights out, everything was professional. He gave us a I-A feel. He was very organized and consistent in everything he did.
SN: Now that you have been away from the game for a while, have you noticed any changes in football from when you played?
TL: It’s hard for me to answer that because I’m not in that environment anymore. I don’t know what goes on in the locker room today. We were held accountable when I was playing as far as education was concerned, as far as our actions on and off the field! You were held accountable for your actions or lack of actions. I’d like to think it’s still the same today. Although I’m sure the facilities have probably been upgraded and I’m sure the game has become more technical today also.
SN: Where did you play football in high school, and where there any other schools who had recruited you?
TL: I played at West St. John High School. I was visited at school by a recruiter from Notre Dame. I was told I was too small; I’m smiling now and I was actively recruited by Tulane University.
SN: So how did you end up at Nicholls?
TL: It was close to home. Plus my uncle (Perry Boudoin) had played football there and earned his degree from Nicholls State University. Now, my son is attending and considering playing football for the university; he is a far better athlete than I ever was and would probably be playing on scholarship if it were not for his constant travels with me. I am confident he will make his own path and do great things before he’s done at NSU. Nicholls was and is an awesome place to start building the foundation that a life will be built.
SN: What was the atmosphere like on campus when you were there?
TL: It was real close-knit. I’ll never forget one day I had made a pretty impressive tackle during the game and I walked into class the following Monday and my chemistry professor was talking about it. On Saturday nights the biggest thing in town was the football games.. It’s a community-oriented thing. I had a lot of interaction with the faculty and the community. Something you can’t get everywhere.
SN: How close was your bond with your teammates?
TL: We were definitely close. I still keep in touch with a few of those guys from the football team. When we played we were all very close and did everything together. It was a family.
SN: What was it like seeing your roommate, Mark Carrier go on to have a productive NFL career?
TL: It was a blessing for him and his family. I was extremely proud of and for him. Not many people get to play in the NFL and to see someone I was close to have that chance was exciting. He and I had a pretty good friendship in school, and when he was drafted, I was very happy for him.
SN: Do you stay in contact with him?
TL: Not as much as we used to. When he first got drafted we tried to but I understood his football schedule was hectic and he was new to the NFL (a lot to learn), and when I joined the military my schedule became pretty hectic.
SN: When did you decide to join the service?
TL: I graduated from Nicholls and worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and then for Piccadilly Cafeteria. I remember one day my boss told me I had to wait for a promotion because they were based on seniority. I felt like since I was consistently ranked in the top three in the company at my position and I had worked for a number of years that I deserved it. He told me I had to wait because the company promoted based on seniority not just productivity.
I decided to join the military at the time because they were promoting on productivity. It was a good move. Looking back on it I don’t regret it. I wish I had joined right after college. It ended up being the best decision I ever could have made for myself.
SN: Are you still active in the military?
TL: Yes, I’m currently enrolled in an officer’s course right now, and looking forward to deploying in the near future.
SN: In your 13 years in the service I’m sure you’ve got to see many different places. Where have you been?
TL: I’ve been stationed with my son in Italy, Alaska, visited Germany, Sicily, Venice, Rome, and many other places. It’s been a humbling and learning experience. Just like my time in Thibodaux at Nicholls, it is something I’ll never forget!
Thaddeus Lumar Sr. said he took a lot out of his playing time on the Nicholls football team from 1984 to 1988. Lumar had the chance to play under legendary Nicholls head coach Sonny Jackson and was the roomate of former NFL wide receiver Mark Carrier during his time in Thibodaux. * Photo courtesy of THADDEUS LUMAR SR.
