LAKE CHARLES - The McNeese Athletic Foundation (MAF) has announced a corporate sponsorship to partner with Smoke & Barrel Inc. as the organization's new charitable beneficiary.
 
Established in 2018 as Smoke & Barrel Inc., S&B Events has become the premier food and spirits event producer in Southwest Louisiana, attracting thousands of visitors annually to its large-format, multi-day experiences in Lake Charles. Its flagship events, held each fall and spring, are built on three pillars: great food, great spirits, and great music, delivering high-quality entertainment while generating meaningful community impact.
 
"We're thrilled to join forces with Smoke & Barrel in a partnership that blends community, tourism, and craftsmanship," said Matt Fontenot, McNeese Deputy AD and Executive Director for MAF. "We're not just creating an incredible experience, we're driving meaningful impact, with proceeds directly supporting the MAF and supporting McNeese Athletics."
 
"We see a natural alignment between S&B Events and the McNeese Athletic Foundation, particularly in how we both engage key Texas markets, whether that's attracting visitors to our events or supporting McNeese's recruiting efforts," said Nathaniel Allured, President of S&B Events. "With the strong momentum behind McNeese Athletics and several exciting developments ahead as we approach our 10-year milestone, this partnership brings a unified energy that helps elevate both organizations. Adam and I have always had a passion for college sports, and we firmly believe in the long-term value McNeese brings to this community, not just through competition, but by developing individuals who go on to live, work, and build families right here in Southwest Louisiana."
 
S&B Events is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing high-quality entertainment that benefits the community and supports charitable causes. Through strategic marketing and event production, the organization drives regional tourism, attracts out-of-market visitors, and generates economic impact for Southwest Louisiana while creating funding opportunities for partner organizations like the McNeese Athletic Foundation. Learn more about S&B Events here: https://smokeandbarrel.org.
 
The MAF promotes and raises funds to strengthen the financial position of all 15 McNeese NCAA-sponsored sports programs and provides resources supporting more than 400 student-athletes. Members receive exclusive access to events and engagement opportunities throughout the year. To learn more or to join, visit: https://mcneesefoundation.org/give/mcneese-athletic-foundation.