Ragin’ Cajuns fans from New Iberia will soon be able to hear a familiar voice at football games as NISH alum Tyler Robicheaux has signed a deal to become the newest emcee for Ragin’ Cajun Athletics.

Robicheaux, 31, is no stranger to the world of sports broadcasting, getting his start with the Ice Gators while still pursuing his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana.

Still, the decision to get back into the game, so to speak, wasn’t one that he was prepared to make this year.

“About a month ago my friend, Sully Gondron, contacted me about this thing that had popped up on Facebook saying that UL was looking for new emcees, DJs and PA announcers,” Robicheaux explained. “I went online, put in my name and my experience in and a week later I got an email saying that I made it to the second round of interviews.”

His experience certainly made him an attractive candidate, with Robicheaux working both as a DJ and a radio personality with 94.5 KSMB and 99.1 KXKC. His time with the Ice Gators also gave him quite a bit of real-world experience in handling crowds.

“While I was at school and the Ice Gators were at the CajunDome for their last stint, from 2011 to 2016, I was their in-stands announcer and PA announcer for all the games. I was interacting with fans and I was the guy who was screaming ‘y’all make some noise’ on the microphone,” he said. “That was my first level of what I eventually want to be, the ultimate goal is the Saints or the Pelicans.”

For now, Robicheaux is happy to focus on the Ragin’ Cajuns. In addition to football, his favorite sport, Robicheaux will also work the basketball, baseball and softball games for the 2023-24 season.

A return to the microphone has been a long time coming for Robicheaux, who said that he always looks for opportunities to provide everyone with a good time.

“I have a passion for interacting with people and providing them with entertainment,” he said. “Even just hosting small functions at the house, I always want people to have fun and I missed it when the Ice Gators went away. My son was three at the time and I look back at that time and wish that my youngest son could have experienced something like that at that age.”

In the interim, Robicheaux has been putting his Mass Communications degree to use in an unexpected way, working full-time as a Patient Care Navigator at Hospice of Acadiana.

To Robicheaux, having the ability to effectively communicate with others is a skill that can benefit anyone, regardless of occupation.

“It’s all about communicating with people. I feel like if you can communicate effectively, then whatever you’re doing in life, you’re going to be fine,” Robicheaux said. “Whether it’s the medical field, construction, or anything else, if you have food communication skills you’ll be okay. In the medical field, especially in hospice, if you communicate effectively then families and patients will be able to understand exactly what you’re going to do, from the time you meet them until the time they leave this Earth.”

Robicheaux said that he hopes that his appointment, along with fellow New Iberia native Mike Desormeaux taking over as head football coach, will spark new passion for the University, especially from the Teche Area.

“It’s cool that the head football coach is Mike Desormeaux, who is also from New Iberia. When I got this position, I just thought about how good this is for New Iberia,” he said. “I don’t care about it for me, per say, but for the City of New Iberia and for my kids, specifically, to experience this. I want them to go to school at UL and hopefully play sports there, so this is part of that. It’s also about bringing the games to the next level. I’m hoping to bring more excitement and energy to the games and have a better atmosphere.”

Robicheaux will team up with veteran radio personality Alex Benoit in order to ensure that there is sufficient coverage for the several concurrent sports being played throughout the season. While he hopes to serve in the position beyond his initial one-year contract, Robicheaux said he is going to take everything one sport at a time.

“I want to take it one sport at a time and really focus on it. Football is in a big stadium, baseball and basketball not so much, so I’ll be doing a lot of different things.”

For inspiration, Robicheaux will draw on two local sporting legends who left their mark on the Ice Gators.

There are two that come to mind,” Robicheaux said when asked about which emcees he wants to model himself after. “The most recent one is my former boss, Eric Tobias. When you think of a deep, smooth voice, you definitely think of him. We worked together with the Ice Gators. T.D. Smith is another one, he was the original voice of the Ice Gators in the ‘90s and early 2000s.”

The respect doesn’t just go one way, however, with Tobias, who now works in Indianapolis, speaking highly of Robicheaux’s ability to entertain wherever he goes.

“I’ve always thought of Tyler as one of the most genuine and best talents in Acadiana,” Tobias said. “His style, personality, and dedication to his work is known by all. Whether on-air, behind the board, or in the arena, his enthusiasm and energy stands out above everything else and his natural ability to inform and entertain audiences makes him the best above all else.”

“Tyler is truly the life of the party.”

Robicheaux will begin his term as the newest voice of the Ragin Cajuns when UL begins the 2023 football season against Northwestern State on Sept. 2. To purchase tickets, call the Louisiana Athletics box office at (337)265-2104 or visit ragincajuns.com.