LAKE CHARLES—McNeese Softball's Cowgirl Diamond will receive a big makeover in the coming months thanks to a generous donation by Mr. Joe Miller.
 
Two years after making a generous donation to have the foul territories at the ballpark redone with artificial turf, Mr. Miller has nearly quadrupled that amount to get that project completed, this time to have the entire playing surface (infield and outfield) made over with the artificial turf.
 
The Cowgirls, who have won two straight Southland Conference regular season and tournament titles and four championships in the last five seasons, are scheduled to once again host the league tournament in 2018 for the second time in three seasons.
 
"People like Joe Miller don't come along very often," said new McNeese President Dr. Daryl Burckel. "He is on of the most generous, humble men I have met and am grateful for all he has done for McNeese State University athletics."
 
"I'm happy that I am able to do these things for McNeese," said Miller. I've been a member of the McNeese Foundation for many years. I love the university and am pleased to find a place where I can do some good."
 
"We (McNeese Athletics) have been very fortunate to have people like Mr. Miller come forward and make generous contributions," said Bruce Hemphill, McNeese Director of Athletics. "He has done so much over the years not only for McNeese but also for the Lake Charles community and especially Little League Baseball."
 
In 2015, Miller provided a generous gift to the Cowgirl program to turf the foul territory and in addition to providing funds for a turf project at baseball's Joe Miller Ballpark and other areas of the field and the clubhouse area.
 
"Words will never be able to describe how grateful we are of Joe Miller," said head coach James Landreneau. "The generosity Mr. Joe shows to our program, along with what he does for the university, is overwhelming and humbling. His love for this university and community is not only expressed through his financial contributions but he is truly a great role model who is selfless with his time and wisdom. We are all blessed to have such a kind and inspiring example to follow."
 
Once completed, Cowgirl Diamond will be one of two fully turfed Division I softball fields in Louisiana (Louisiana Tech) and one of three in the Southland Conference (Abilene Christian and Central Arkansas).
 
Work on the new field is expected to begin in the coming weeks. GEO Surfaces, based out of St. Gabriel, Louisiana, is handling the installation. The company's clients include such schools as LSU, Louisiana Tech, ULM, ULL, Nicholls, Louisiana College, and installed the turf at Joe Miller Ballpark and the foul territory areas of Cowgirl Diamond.
 
"This surface will be a huge step for our program as we continue to grow," said Landreneau. "Our fans and players will now be able to count on games and practices no matter the weather conditions. Mr. Miller's contributions over the last few years have aided in the continuous growth of our program. Fans, players, and recruits can physically see the commitment our program has to excellence."
 
Miller has served on the McNeese Foundation Board of Directors since 1972. He has served as president and was a chair on the budget committee and served on the investment committee. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from McNeese in 2013 and he has also received the Distinguished Service Award from the McNeese Foundation for his support of the university. He was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor in 2014.
 
Miller was president of F. Miller and Sons Construction Co. for almost 50 years until 2006. He has also served as president for the State Highway and Heavy Associated General Contractors of America, board member and president of Louisiana Council of Associated General Contractors and director and president of the Lake Charles Associated General Contractors.
 
He is well known in Southwest Louisiana for his interest and support of baseball.  He coached South Lake Charles Little League Baseball for 40 years and was vice president of the Little League for 36 years. Many of his former players have played baseball at McNeese.
 
Miller has received numerous awards for his community service including the Angel Award for Public Service with area youth by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and Citizen of the Year by the Chamber Southwest Louisiana.
 
Miller and his late wife, Mary, have supported academic programs at McNeese through endowed scholarships and professorships.