Lutcher teen signs with SLU

Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 7, 2001

AMY SZPARA

PHOTO: Michelle Roussel, bottom center, signs a letter of intent to play softball for Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond this fall. The recent Lutcher High School graduate is receiving a scholarship to attend the university. On her left is her father, Mark Roussel, and to her right is mother Gail Roussel. Her coaches stand behind her. From left are Tim Detillier, Philip Creel, Helen Funk and Chris Nelson. (Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) LUTCHER – Years of dedication to her sport, training for hours, countless practices and pushing herself at the games, has paid off for recent Lutcher High School graduate, Michelle Roussel. In a back room of the fieldhouse at her alma mater, she signed with Southeastern Louisiana University on a softball scholarship, as her parents and coaches stood by her. A starter at Lutcher High for three years, and the first team All District, Most Valuable Player in the district, All State, All Metro and All River Parish in softball, Roussel will have all of her school expenses covered through her softball scholarship and the Louisiana TOPS program. Also the past head cheerleader at Lutcher, Roussel said she is excited about going to Southeastern. Not only will she play for a college team, but she will also be reunited with a former player from the Lutcher High Team. Her friend, Brandi Neil, who played with her for Lutcher, will be a senior in college, and the two will both be playing for Southeastern this year. Planning to live in an apartment with another softball player and a baseball player, Roussel will be studying general studies, though she is seriously considering majoring in accounting and minoring in education. “I’m just so excited,” said her mother, Gail Roussel. “I just hope she lives out one of her dreams, plays in college. She’s always been such a good player. “Michelle has worked really hard, and she’s a good little ball player. She’s got a good little mind for the game. Some people just have a mind for the game, and she does. Plus, we’re happy she won’t be that far away from us.” Her father, Mark Roussel, added, “I’m glad her dreams are really coming true. She really deserves this.” Coach Tim Detillier said that Roussel represents another great American dream coming true. “You always here about the negative. This is positive. A local teen makes it. She has a lot invested in it, and she’s going to get to play college ball. Everybody dreams about it, but her dream came true,” he said. Having graduated with honors, 16th in her class of 126 students, Roussel also played volleyball at Lutcher High. She received the Gugliemo Award for Female Athlete of the Year and the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Scholarship. She also received the Louisiana Coaches Award and the Louisiana Sportswriter Award. “Her hard work ethics and dedication to the sport of softball has paid off. She has taken her athletic talent to the next level, and she will do well,” said Coach Helen Funk. “I am excited about it,” said Roussel. “I’m just kind of nervous about what will be expected of me. “But, I’ve been playing softball for 12 years, since I was five or so.” Roussel is scheduled to start at Southeastern this fall.