RUSTON, La. – Origin Bank, the official bank of Louisiana Tech Athletics, has provided a significant philanthropic gift in support of both the new baseball and softball/soccer complexes.

With the gift, Origin Bank now joins the Louisiana Tech Athletics lifetime giving society of "Team Tech $1 Million" and continues their commitment to both the University and its student-athletes. Origin Bank becomes the first business to meet this threshold – all others in this philanthropic society have been individuals or families.

"After the 2019 tornado, our campus, and in particular the baseball, soccer, and softball facilities, was devastated," said Louisiana Tech President Les Guice. "The support from our community, our state, and organizations has helped our University recover.

"We appreciate Origin Bank's continued support of Louisiana Tech University, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the new facilities as we open them for the 2021 seasons."

After not playing a home game on campus since the EF3 tornado ravaged Ruston in April of 2019, both baseball and softball are scheduled to compete in their new facilities in late February and early March while soccer will open its new field in the fall.

"I want to thank Drake Mills and Lance Hall and the entire Origin Bank Family for their unbelievable support of our student-athletes and coaches," said VP and Director of Athletics Eric Wood. "Their level of financial support impacts these complexes in a first class manner. Not only will the facilities be game-changers for these three programs, but they will help enhance the student-athlete experience as they compete and represent our University at the highest level."

The Origin Bank Baseball Complex – pending approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System – will include coach's offices, locker rooms, team meeting room, player lounge, hitting facility, suites, state-of-the-art sports medicine area and more.

"Origin Bank has been committed to Louisiana Tech for generations and that commitment is stronger than ever," said Drake Mills, chairman, president and CEO of Origin Bancorp, Inc. "The benefit that Louisiana Tech provides this region, our state and the entire country is so evident, and we are proud to continue to support the University's long-term vision."

In addition, the softball and soccer teams will now be housed in the Origin Bank Soccer and Softball Complex, a state-of-the-art home for both programs that sits between the new softball and soccer fields. It includes coach's offices, locker rooms, team meeting rooms, player lounges as well as a state-of-the-art sports medicine area.

"Whether it be in the classroom or on the playing field, Origin takes pride in our partnership with Louisiana Tech," said Lance Hall, president and CEO of Origin Bank. "We have been a long-term supporter of Louisiana Tech as well as their athletic programs, and this donation to the women's sports complex and the baseball program will provide opportunities for our student-athletes to be successful for years to come."

Season tickets for both Bulldog baseball and Lady Techster softball are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631 or online at LATechSports.com/tickets.