Lou Marciani Elected to University of Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame
Dr. Lou Marciani will be inducted into the University of Southern Mississippi's Alumni Hall of Fame. The Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 1987 to recognize those whose contributions of time and financial means have helped move the university forward.
Lou Marciani’s distinguished record of service to the University spans more than three decades and continues today. Lou joined the University in 1974 as the first full-time director of Intramural Sports. Under his leadership, the program was enhanced and the department was expanded to Intramural-Recreational Sports.
Lou was instrumental in creating the student referendum that passed in 1984 for the purpose of constructing a campus recreation facility, later known as the Payne Center. Through his leadership, the Department of Intramural-Recreational Sports increased its services. During his tenure, the department grew the intramural-recreation facilities with the addition of lighted intramural fields, Lake Sehoy and the Equestrian Center.
After serving as athletic director at Salisbury University and East Stroudsburg University, Lou rejoined Southern Miss in 1989 as associate athletic director for External Affairs. In 1991, he was given the opportunity to serve as athletic director at Western Kentucky University, and Drexel University and as executive director of two governing committees for the United States Olympic Committee.
He returned to Southern Miss in 2004 to serve as director of the School of Human Performance and Recreation. It was during this period that his research endeavors were the impetus for the formation of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security. The Center supports the advancement of sports safety and security through research, training, professional development and academic programs.
Lou was a past president of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association as well as the 1983 recipient of NIRSA’s Honor Award, the highest recognition for a Campus Recreation professional. In 2013, Lou was cited as a NIRSA Legacy. Locally, he spearheaded the formation of the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association.
Lou has been married to the former Sandra Sorger for 44 years, and they are parents of four children, all Southern Miss graduates, and have five grand children.
Congratulation Lew!
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