For 12 years, the Louisiana boys’ basketball state championship has been contested at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. Nearly 10,000 fans would pack the arena, built in 1976, and root on their favorite team for “Marsh Madness.”
Beginning in 2027, Marsh Madness will find a new home at the CAJUNDOME, home of University of Louisiana men’s and women’s basketball. The DI facility has been recently renovated. According to KPLCTV, it will provide a “modern championship atmosphere.”
The CAJUNDOME last hosted the boys’ basketball state championship in 2010. The return offers a centralized location, high-quality amenities and an iconic venue.
“Moving Marsh Madness back to the CAJUNDOME marks an exciting new chapter for our boys’ basketball state championships and reinforces our commitment to delivering a premier experience for student-athletes, schools, and fans across Louisiana,” said LHSAA assistant executive director and director of basketball Karen Hoyt. “At the same time, we will always be grateful to Visit Lake Charles, Burton Coliseum, and the entire Lake Charles community for hosting our boys’ basketball state championships for more than a decade. They played a tremendous role in helping Marsh Madness become the event it is today. Their hospitality, professionalism, and unwavering support created a first-class experience for our student-athletes, coaches, schools, and fans year after year. Lake Charles was a fantastic host and a wonderful home for our championships, and we sincerely appreciate everything they have done for Louisiana high school basketball.”
Along with boys’ basketball, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association is also relocating the powerlifting state championships and wrestling state championships.
Powerlifting, previously contested at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, La., will now call the West Monroe Sports & Events Complex home. And Wrestling will move to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans after several years of competition at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City.
The move of all three sports aligns with the LHSAA’s championship partner, Sugar Bowl. As the title sponsor of the LHSAA state championships, Sugar Bowl is elevating the student-athlete in Louisiana.
“The Sugar Bowl has a long-standing tradition of supporting amateur and scholastic athletics across Louisiana,” said LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine. “Their commitment to helping us elevate our state championship events allows us to provide an even greater experience for the thousands of student-athletes who compete for a state title each year. These venue enhancements are an example of the exciting opportunities this partnership will create for the future of LHSAA championships.”
