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Like many 2020 ��˾�������� graduates, Austin Robichaux will earn his degree during commencement ceremonies at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park. 

The venue holds significance for Robichaux, who’s celebrating the completion of a longtime goal to graduate from UL ��˾��������. He'll receive his diploma on the same field he pitched on for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from 2012-2014 under his father, the late Tony “Coach Robe” Robichaux. The elder Robichaux was head coach for 25 years until his death last year.

Lifelong Ragin’ Cajun

Austin grew up a Ragin’ Cajun. Not even an offer to join the Cincinnati Reds out of high school in 2011 was enough to sway him from playing for his father’s team. 

“I got to play the sport I love at a competitive level, while also being with my dad every single day," he says. “I would relive that over and over.”

The pinnacle of that experience for Austin was when the Cajuns hosted the 2014 Super Regional. It was the team’s first Super Regional since 2000. 

During that tournament, Austin got news he’d been drafted to the Los Angeles Angels. Within three days, he was flying out to play minor division in Utah, cutting his academic career short with only 30 credit hours left to his bachelor’s degree.

“At first it was kind of a culture shock,” he says. “After that first year under my belt, I became more comfortable. It was basically — essentially — a dream come true. I was waking up every day, playing the sport I love as a job.” 

Life After Baseball

Coach Robe was known for holding his players to a high standard both on and off the field. Players — including sons Justin and Austin — were required to sign a code of conduct known as “Robe’s Rules.” 

In a 2009 interview for La Louisiane, the head coach said, “Baseball will come to an end. For some, that happens after college. For others, it’s after a career in baseball — but it will end. It’s my job to prepare them for life after baseball.”

Austin says part of that preparation was an emphasis on earning a degree. 

“One day, it comes to an end and when that day comes, we need to be set up,” he says. “It was something [my dad] preached, and it was a goal that I set.” 

When the University launched the online Bachelor of General Studies in 2017, Austin sought to finish what he’d started six years earlier. The following year, he played his last season of pro ball and returned to Acadiana. 

He began working with athletic training facility Ragin’ Cages, giving lessons. That later turned into a full-time role as head of baseball operations, focusing on training pitchers. 

Balancing his online coursework with his full-time job was a challenge but found it was something he’d trained for. 

“It was definitely tough. But if there's one thing going to school and playing a professional sport teaches, it's time management. That's a big thing my dad taught me, as well," Austin says. 

He’d plot out what needed to be done in 45-minute to hour-long blocks as he had them. 

“That ultimately saved me,” he says. 

Back to the Ball Field 

Austin says it was never a matter of if he would earn his degree, but when. Now that the date is set, Austin is both proud and relieved.

“I couldn't be more excited because of how much [my dad] preached I need my degree, and how proud I know he is,” Austin says. 

Commencement comes with its own set of emotions. Had he continued at UL ��˾�������� through his senior year, his father would have been on stage to confer his degree. Instead, his mother will be part of the ceremony. 

“There will be a lot of emotions, but I know he's going to be watching from above. At the end of the day, it's going to be all happy tears,” Austin says. 

With this chapter closed, Austin is carrying on his father’s legacy on and off the field. He's training future players as he and his wife prepare to welcome their first child. 

“My dad taught me not only the game, but the game after baseball, which is life. His biggest thing until the day passed was life isn’t just baseball, because baseball comes to an end. It's what kind of husband, brother, son you are. And that's what I put into my teaching. I remind them someday you have to be the man that God intended, and it's not just about baseball,” Austin says. 

“The biggest thing I’m looking forward to is my son getting here and teaching him who his grandfather was.” 

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