By Kyle Kavanaugh, Louisiana Tech Senior Associate Athletic Director
RUSTON — A new era of one of North Louisiana’s most recognizable rivalries has arrived.
As Louisiana Tech begins its first season back in the Sun Belt Conference, Louisiana Tech Athletics and ULM have announced the creation of the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series. This year-long all-sports championship celebrates the renewal of one of the state’s longest-standing collegiate rivalries.
Presented by Radiance Technologies, the Rivalry Series will unite competition across 12 varsity sports into a single season-long championship, with the Bulldogs, Lady Techsters and Warhawks competing throughout the academic year for annual bragging rights and the inaugural Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series title.
Separated by less than 35 miles along Interstate 20, Louisiana Tech and ULM have competed against one another for generations. While the two institutions have continued to meet in several sports in recent years, Louisiana Tech’s return to the Sun Belt Conference restores annual conference competition across much of the athletic calendar. It brings the football rivalry back for the first time in more than 25 years.
The Rivalry Series represents the next chapter of Louisiana Tech’s “Rivalries Renewed” initiative, creating meaningful stakes across every season while celebrating the history, passion, and regional pride shared by two universities connected by more than a highway.
“We are excited to formalize this long-standing rivalry,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. “Since athletics started on both of our campuses, we have seen some incredible individual achievements, contests, and finishes. As we begin this new chapter together in the Sun Belt Conference, this series allows us to elevate a rivalry that matters to our student-athletes, alumni, and communities while creating meaningful engagement across all our sports. We are grateful to Radiance Technologies for sharing our vision and investing in a partnership that will celebrate competition, strengthen regional connections, and create something our fans can rally around year after year.”
“College athletics thrives on rivalries,” Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson said. “The renewal of those rivalries with regional foes was a key factor in our decision to accept the invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, and the resulting energy from our fan base is palpable. Radiance Technologies already invests so much in our campus through their physical presence in Tech Pointe II; hiring our graduates for internships and careers; partnering with faculty on complex R&D projects; and our upcoming microchip manufacturing facility in Ruston. Bill Bailey recognizes the fun of celebrating competition, and we couldn’t be more excited about adding stakes to our friendly competition.”
The Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series is made possible through the support of title sponsor Radiance Technologies, an employee-owned technology company led by Louisiana Tech alumnus and Chief Executive Officer Bill Bailey. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in one of Louisiana’s premier collegiate rivalries while enhancing the student-athlete and fan experience for years to come.
“Radiance is thrilled to be part of the renewal of the historic rivalry between Louisiana Tech and ULM,” said Bill Bailey. “We also believe in giving back; that is why we are investing in this storied series. As Radiance’s presence in North Louisiana continues to grow, our contributions to the community will grow as well.”
The Rivalry Series is built on a simple philosophy: Every sport matters. Every point matters.
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Each of the 12 eligible varsity sports carries equal value in determining the annual champion. From football Saturdays and basketball doubleheaders to conference championships in cross country, golf, and track & field, every result contributes toward the overall standings.
To ensure competitive balance, only sports sponsored by both institutions at the varsity level are included in the annual standings. Sports sponsored by only one institution will not count toward the championship.
How the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series Works
The annual championship includes competition in the following 12 varsity sports:
Head-to-Head Competition
- Football (single game)
- Men’s Basketball (season series)
- Women’s Basketball (season series)
- Baseball (season series)
- Softball (season series)
- Volleyball (season series)
- Women’s Soccer (single match)
Conference Finish Competition
- Men’s Cross Country
- Women’s Cross Country
- Men’s Golf
- Men’s Track & Field (combined indoor/outdoor conference finish)
- Women’s Track & Field (combined indoor/outdoor conference finish)
Each sport is worth one point toward the annual standings.
- Every sport is valued equally.
- The winner of each sport earns one point.
- Sports ending in a tie award one-half point to each institution.
- The first institution to earn 6.5 points clinches the annual Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series championship.
- If the annual standings finish tied, the winner of the football game will be declared the overall Rivalry Series champion.
The official branding and visual identity for the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series trophy will be unveiled at a later date.
Standings will be updated throughout the athletic year on LATechSports.com and across Louisiana Tech Athletics’ digital platforms following each competition, allowing fans to follow the race for the annual Rivalry Series championship from the opening football kickoff through the final events of the spring.