LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese Athletic Foundation has signed an agreement with Visit Lake Charles on a five-year partnership extension valued at $365,000, McNeese Vice President and Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer announced on Friday.
 
The new extension will go into effect in July of 2026 and will run through the end of June 2031.
 
"I'm incredibly excited to have Visit Lake Charles renew their commitment to the McNeese Athletic Foundation through a new corporate sponsorship agreement," said Schroyer. "The relationship between our athletic department and VLC has grown tremendously over the past three to four years, and we are both honored and humbled by their increased support of McNeese State University Athletics.
 
"Kyle, Eric and the entire team are incredible partners who champion Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana, and we are looking forward to continuing to grow this partnership over the next five years."
 
As part of the agreement, Visit Lake Charles will utilize the Townsley Law Arena to host the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Women's Basketball Championship and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) Basketball All-Star Game. The NJCAA Women's Basketball Championship will take place in March 2026 while the LHSAA basketball all-star games will also be played in the spring at a date to be announced.
 
"Visit Lake Charles is proud to invest in McNeese Athletics," said Eric Zartler, executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority and senior vice president of sports at Visit Lake Charles. "This partnership grows opportunities, draws fans to our region, and strengthens the sports tourism impact that defines Louisiana's Playground. Geaux Pokes!"
 
The NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship includes 24 of the nation's top junior college teams with many of its players going on to play NCAA Division I ball.