The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced 231 nominees for the Division II 50th Anniversary Gold Award, with former Southern Arkansas University Mulerider legends Jordan Babineaux (football) and Brooke Goad (softball) among the 10 nominees from Great Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). American Conference.
In telling the story of Southern Arkansas’ NCAA membership, which officially began with competition beginning in the 1995-96 season, the successes of Babineaux and Goad transformed the department, and their influence resonates to this day.
A 2003 All-American from Port Arthur, Texas, Jordan Babineau, an All-American who played both cornerback and kick return, has made his presence felt in the program to this day. While his 200-plus tackles, 29 passes defensed and ten interceptions during his playing career at Southern Arkansas are impressive, Babineau carried his success at Magnolia into the National Football League. An undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 2004, the Texan spent a nine-year career, seven in Seattle and two in Tennessee, recording 600 career tackles, 41 passes defensed and a dozen interceptions while representing Southern Arkansas and the NCAA Division II. on the biggest stage in professional football: Super Bowl XL.
Babineau, who earned the “Big Play Babs” tab for making repeated big plays during crucial moments of his NFL tenure, continued to make play after play even with his playing days behind him. In February 2021, Babineau published Pivot to Win: Play Big in Life, Sports and Business, and soon after, his first authored work became an international bestseller. The former Mulerider has since branched out into career and leadership development, corporate training, team building, diversity and inclusion, and public speaking at Pivottowin.com, where his main goal is to “help successful people move beyond their current success.”
In addition, Babineau currently serves as a senior partnerships advisor at Seattle University and as an adjunct professor in the university’s Sports and Entertainment MBA program. Babineau remains active on NFL Sunday night as he is currently in his eighth year on the Seattle Seahawks pre- and postgame shows on 710 ESPN and Fox Q-13. Babineau and his brother Jonathan, also an NFL veteran, are co-owners of their entertainment, branding and production company, 2 Brothers Productions, LLC, which has served Kevin Hart, Mike Epps and Bishop T.D., among other businesses. Jakes.
Babineaux received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and media studies from Southern Arkansas University, an executive certificate from Seattle University, and an executive MBA from Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics.
The most decorated athlete in Southern Arkansas University athletics history, Brooke Goad brought national recognition to the Mulerider softball program during her distinguished career (2014-2018) as she was a key figure in the program’s emergence as a national power.
A native of Waxahachie, Texas, Goad demonstrated plate prowess perhaps unmatched in NCAA softball history as she finished her celebrated Mulerider career as the Division II career leader in home runs (90) and walks (218). as well as one season in Division II. Record holder in these categories as well (32 HR, 91 BB; 2018).
Goad is no stranger to adversity, as her impressive career has not been without its challenges. Goad’s final season at Magnolia, despite multiple knee injuries, was remarkable. The year she was named a first-team All-American honoree, Goad was responsible for setting nine program single-season hitting records, including slugging percentage, on-base percentage, games played, runs scored, RBI, home runs. , common bases, walks and intentional walks; a result that helped her finish her career as the sole owner of nine record-breaking career programs, all of which she still remains in sole ownership of.
A multiple All-American, Regional and All-Conference honoree, Goad, who appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” in May 2018, was named to the GAC All-Decade Team in January 2020. Goad holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Kinesiology-Coaching, both from Southern Arkansas University.
Following her playing career, Goad served as an assistant coach for the Mulerider softball program for four seasons. In the summer of 2022, Goad set her sights on a new career path, becoming a firefighter in her native Central Texas.
The Gold Award will be presented to two individuals who have made a positive impact on Division II. Nominees include current or former student-athletes, coaches, teachers or administrators from active member schools or conferences who have distinguished themselves in the areas of athletic or professional achievement, service and leadership. The overall winners will be recognized at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix.
