Michael Lotief Writes Open Letter To UL Softball Fans

Louisiana Ragin' Cajun head coach Michael Lotief has written an open letter to softball fans.

The letter is a follow-up to a recent article in the Lafayette Advertiser entitled "A Tale Of Two Cajun OWI Arrests"

The coaches involved in the article, Coach Lotief and UL head baseball coach Tony Robichaux, are top coaches in their respective sports. They've both been incredibly successful, and both are tremendously respected by their peers, and their players.

Both are also local guys, who have an incredible love for the area, and the people in it.

They also have a lot of respect and admiration for one another.

The softball player in the article is Haley Hayden, who has been successful both on and off the field.

A junior from West Monroe, Hayden is not only a two-time Sun Belt Conference (First Team) selection, but was named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List in 2014, while maintaining a 3.7 GPA.

It's next to impossible to spend 30 seconds with Hayden and not like her. Her personality, along with her abilities and hard work, both on and off the field, are the secrets to success for the program.

That's the backstory. Now let's get to coach Lotief's letter.

Dear Softball Fans:

Merry Christmas! I want to take this opportunity to address the recent media attention of the “Tale of Two OWI’s”. Two of my favorite scripture readings are: The Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan. From these passages, I hear loud and clear that we should forgive and accept our “prodigal sons” (and daughters), back into our families with open arms. On the son’s return, the Father graciously welcomes him back and treats him with a generosity far more than he has a right to expect. The father implies that his love for both sons in NOT dependent upon their performance NOR LAW, nor merit, rather on LOVE & GRACIOUSNESS. The Good Samaritan stopped and helped a person of different faith struggling and beaten up and on bad times (even though the Levite, expert in rules, and the priest, expert on scripture – just walked on by). Which of the three was a “neighbor”, a good teammate? The answer: the one who showed “MERCY” – Jesus says, “go do likewise”; show mercy.

As a father and husband, my love for my children and wife has to be based on mercy and graciousness versus their performance or merit. As a coach, I love my players like my children. In my fight against cancer, I have met many Good Samaritans who connected with me out of empathy and love when I was down and struggling; I also met many good Levites who labeled me and judged me and walked right passed me because my voice was now different or because of the marks on my face or because now I was broken. I met many good people who attend church services and who could quote scripture, but who had a hard time living it or putting it into action. I love being a CAJUN because we genuinely care about each other, especially when times get tough.

You have always supported and loved and believed in these kids and this program – even when we, especially I, do goofy stuff. We all make plenty of mistakes. We all strike out too many times or argue with umpires too much or make bad pitching changes or make too many errors or lose too many games, etc. That is part of the game and that is part of life too. Even in our worse moments, I pray that you see a team and players and a coach who are attempting to pursue excellence; I hope you understand that we as people, reflect you: that we are good, decent people who are fallible; that we are hardworking and committed even when we make mistakes; that we are trying to learn and grow from every experience even though it is not easy and takes so much time and effort to change; that we are forgiving and empathetic and caring and loving people; that we are all CAJUNS and all on the same team!

I stand by Haley Hayden 150%! She has CHARACTER. She is thoughtful and intellectual (3.7 GPA/Exercise Science) and beautiful and athletic and competitive and involved in this community and caring and compassionate. I believe in this kid and I know she will continue to learn and grow and get better even through stupid mistakes and bad decisions. She accepts responsibility. She is in pain. She is paying the price. She is prodigal. She needs us to be a GOOD SAMIRATAN, not to walk by her or judge her or throw her away. She needs our love and mercy and graciousness. Values are operational; they are lived; they are not locker room words. Let’s make this a learning moment for her and US.

The last thing we want is division amongst you and within US over controversial issues – we have that already in so many phases of our lives. Thank you again for all of your support and love through good times and bad. We are ready for some softball and excited to get on the field FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME AND EACH OTHER! Another favorite scripture passage is David & Goliath – TOGETHER, we have the courage to continue to face & conquer “giants” – whether it is a personal vice or illness/cancer or an opponent on the field. PEACE & JOY to you and yours!