Press Release via LSUE Athletics
EUNICE, La.- LSU Eunice Baseball Head Coach and Athletic Director Jeff Willis has been awarded the 2025 Citizen of the Year by the Eunice Rotary Club, the organization announced on Wednesday at their weekly meeting. Willis was selected from nominations submitted by both members of the Rotary Club and the entire Eunice community.
Willis was nominated by Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot. In his nomination letter, Mayor Fontenot says Willis “embodies the very best of what it means to be a dedicated community leader in Eunice. Through his extraordinary achievements in athletics, visionary leadership, and tireless efforts to improve our region, he has brough national recognition to our city while creating lasting economic and community benefits.”
The Dumas, Texas native has called Eunice home since taking over the program in 2003 and building into a perennial national championship contender. Under his leadership, LSU Eunice has compiled more than 1,100 wins with an extraordinary winning percentage exceeding .800, while capturing eight NJCAA National Championships and making 11 World Series appearances. His teams have never finished a season ranked lower than seventh nationally, further cementing the program’s sustained excellence.
Willis’ impact extends far beyond wins and championships. He has helped more than 240 student-athletes continue their careers at four-year institutions, with dozens going on to be selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. His commitment to student success and development has made LSU Eunice a national model for junior college athletics.
In addition to his success on the field, Willis has played a vital role in shaping the future of the Eunice community. His leadership has been instrumental in the ongoing development of a state-of-the-art Bengal Stadium project designed to serve both LSU Eunice and the broader region—enhancing economic growth, expanding opportunities, and strengthening community pride.
Willis’ contributions to the sport have also been recognized nationally. He was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2023 and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024, placing him among the most respected figures in college baseball.
The Eunice Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year award honors individuals who exemplify the organization’s core values of service, leadership, and community impact.