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With 12 seasons now under his belt, Jim Ricklefsen is a comforting fixture on the Lamar University coaching staff. Having built a reputation as one of the top recruiters in Texas and Louisiana, Ricklefsen continues to attract to Beaumont quality players who have kept Lamar in the hunt for a conference championship on a regular basis. Ricklefsen posted an 81-79 record in three seasons as head coach at McNeese State before coming to Lamar. He guided the Cowboys to a 41-16 record in his first season at the helm, which tied the school record for most wins in a season and set the school record for best winning percentage. The Cowboys finished second in the Southland Conference standings in 1995 and second in the league tournament. McNeese sent 10 players from that squad to the professional ranks, the highest number for any school in the nation that year. "Jim did an outstanding job at McNeese," said Lamar head coach Jim Gilligan. "He is an excellent recruiter and a good judge of talent, and he brings a strong work ethic to our program." In addition to coaching third base for the Cardinals, Ricklefsen works with the infielders, defensive alignment and hitters and is also the recruiting coordinator. Ricklefsen began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at McNeese in 1987. He quickly moved up to the top assistant the next season, and served seven seasons (1988-94) before being named head coach for the 1995 season. McNeese posted a 275-149 record during that time and won one SLC championship and one conference tournament title and made two NCAA Tournament appearances. McNeese had 32 players sign professional contracts during his tenure at the school, and he was directly responsible for recruiting 23 of those players. Ricklefsen played collegiately at McNeese. He was a three-year starter as both an infielder and outfielder. He posted a career-best .333 batting average his senior season. He twice led the team in stolen bases and hit 11 career home runs. Ricklefsen played for current Rice University head baseball coach Wayne Graham at San Jacinto Junior College before attending McNeese. Ricklefsen served three years on the NCAA's Southern Region At-Large Search Advisory Baseball Committee, which recommends at-large teams to be selected to play in NCAA Regionals. A native of Houston and an avid fisherman, Ricklefsen prepped at Northbrook High School. He and his wife Andrea have one daughter - Lauren. |
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