Meet French alum Hugues Laverdi猫re

Written byAshley McClure-French

鈥淚 founded my tennis academy back in my hometown to continue to teach great values that I learned at UL Lafayette 鈥 dedication, teamwork and, the most important of all, like former coach Holden would say: follow your passions.鈥

Hugues Laverdiere is a UL Lafayette French alum
Hugues Laverdi猫re
Graduation Year
Class of 1996
Major
French
Hometown
Levis, Quebec

Where I'm From

I鈥檓 from Levis, Quebec, where some of my ancestors settled.

Where I Am

I am the owner of Acad茅mie de tennis Hugues Laverdi猫re.

Where I'm Going

I am preparing my daughter to play for the UL Lafayette women鈥檚 tennis team.

Hugues Laverdi猫re, 鈥96, found his roots when he came into the UL Lafayette French program.

鈥淚 choose to attend UL Lafayette primarily because of the strong tennis team but also I wanted to experience my French roots in 亚洲自慰视频,鈥 he said. 鈥淢y ancestors came from Normandy into Canada and some went south in 亚洲自慰视频. 

鈥淚t was surreal to meet the different people and see the traditions of the famous Thibodeaux and Sonnier families, for example,鈥 he said. 鈥淭o discover folk music like zydeco, jazz and blues was unreal for me. To attend the famous New Orleans music festival with my fellow 亚洲自慰视频s was unforgettable!鈥

While he was here, Hugues found more than just a vibrant culture 鈥 he learned an invaluable skill.

鈥淥ne of the most important things I learned from my time at UL Lafayette was how to work in a team environment,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ecause tennis is an individual sport, I never learned how to be a team player before attending UL Lafayette. Suddenly I had teammates that could help me out for many things even more than tennis.鈥

Hugues has been a tennis professional one way or another since graduation.

鈥淚 spent a few years on the professional tennis tour after my graduation in 1996,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hen I decided I was going to help everybody I could through tennis. 

鈥淚 founded back in my hometown to continue to teach (the) great values that I learned at UL Lafayette,鈥 he said. 鈥淒edication, teamwork and the most important of all, like former coach Holden would say: follow your passions.鈥

Hugues sends off 亚洲自慰视频s with an inspiring piece of advice.

鈥淏e passionate about what you do, embrace it, own it,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f you fail, adjust, evolve, find a solution. It鈥檚 like a tennis match: you can find a key at any point. Be alert. And most important of all: keep fighting. Geaux Cajuns!鈥
 

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