Nicholls State Colonels Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Division I FCS

Head Coach: Tim Rebowe

Team Mascot: Colonel Tillou

Year Opened: 1972

Capacity: 10500

City / State: Thibodaux / Louisiana

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

River Bell Classic

Rival Team: Southeastern Louisiana Lions

The winner of the annual rivalry matchup between Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana takes home the River Bell Trophy. The rivalry between these two Louisiana-based schools dates back to 1972. However, the rivalry was on hiatus from 1986 to 2004. You won’t want to miss it when the Colonels and Lions square off, so make sure to be in attendance when Southeastern Louisiana comes to town.

NSU Challenge

Rival Team: Northwestern State Demons

Nicholls State and Northwestern State play annually in the NSU Challenge. The rivalry began in 1973 and has been one of the key fixtures each year since then. Over the years, the Demons have amassed a 28-16 lead in the all-time series. Don’t miss it when the Colonels and Demons meet as the NSU Challenge is always one of the best matchups of the year.

Nicholls State Colonels Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

When attending a Nicholls State Colonels football game, make sure to arrive early and enjoy all the pregame festivities. Colonels fans love to tailgate before the game, and there is no better way to get into the game day spirit than by grilling out and throwing back a few beers in the parking lots surrounding Guidry Stadium before the game.

One of the best parts of tailgating at Nicholls State is the Colonel Football Tailgate Concert Series. Each Colonels football game features a pregame concert that you won’t want to miss. The concerts feature local acts and are an excellent way to hear some of the best musicians from the Thibodaux, Louisiana area.

If you’re a Nicholls State student, then you also won’t want to miss checking out the student tailgate area, which features reduced beer prices and free burgers. Here you’ll find great deals on food and drinks making it a great place to tailgate before the game.

Tailgating is a fun part of any Colonels game, so get here early and enjoy all the pregame festivities.

Traditions

Colonel Football Tailgate Concert Series

If you enjoy live music, then you’ll love tailgating at Nicholls State. Each Colonels home game features a pregame concert that you won’t want to miss, so get here early and enjoy the performance.

Where to tailgate

Nicholls State Colonels Stadium Guide

In Game

A Nicholls State football game is a fun way to spend some time in Thibodaux, Louisiana and is an excellent way to get involved in the community. Fans from all over the area come out to cheer on the Colonels on game days. Everywhere you look, you’ll see support for the Colonels as fans dressed head to toe in red and gray pack John L. Guidry Stadium.

You’ll see lots of pageantry on display at Nicholls State thanks to the superb performances of the Colonels spirit groups. The Pride of Nicholls Marching Band kicks things off with their pregame performance, and from there it only gets better. The Colonettes dance team puts on a fantastic display, and you won’t want to miss the Nicholls Color Guard, Colonel Tillou, or the Nicholls Cheerleaders throughout the game.

Nicholls State offers just about everything you could want in a college football game including devoted fans and tons of pageantry and traditions, making a trip to Thibodaux a must for any diehard FCS football fan.

Things to check out

Pride of Nicholls

The Pride of Nicholls puts on a fantastic pre-game and halftime show and is a must-see part of any Colonels football game. The marching band also livens up the game with their tunes, making them one of the best parts of any game.

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Nicholls Colonelettes and Color Guard

You won’t want to miss the performances of the Nicholls Colonelettes or the Nicholls Color Guard. Both groups’ routines are can’t-miss parts of the game, so don’t leave your seat when you see either one take the field.

Colonel Tillou

Colonel Tillou is the official mascot of Nicholls State and is beloved by Nicholls State fans young and old. Keep an eye out for Colonel Tillou as he gets into all kinds of antics during the game.

play Watch video

Nicholls Cheerleaders

The Nicholls Cheerleaders co-ed team will pump you up with their cheers and chants. Nobody does a better job of riling up the crowd than the cheerleaders, so join in their cheers and help propel the Colonels to victory.

Fight Songs

  1. Nicholls State Colonels Fight Song

    Go, Colonels, Go!
    We are behind you all the way.
    Fight, Colonels, Fight!
    We’re on the top and there we’ll stay.
    FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
    Win, Colonels, Win!
    You’ve got to win this game today.
    Big Red, fight for victory
    ‘Cause we’re behind you all the way!

  2. Nicholls State Alma Mater

    All hail to thee, our Alma Mater,
    We raise thy glorious name on high.
    The echo of thy spirit rises,
    And fills devotion’s cloudless sky.
    To thee we pledge our loyalty
    Through all the years that are to be.
    Hail to Nicholls, Alma Mater,
    Our hearts are thine and thine shall be.

Nicholls State Colonels Bars & Restaurants

  1. Venetian Food & Spirits

    Handy Andy

    This family-oriented restaurant serves delicious food and has great service.

    401 Jackson St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  2. Norm’s Daiquiris & Grill

    beer

    Your Number One Spot in Thibodaux for THE BEST DAIQUIRIS, Ice Cold Beer, Good Food, Good Friends, and a Great Atmosphere.

    303 N Canal Blvd, Thibodaux, LA 70301, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  3. Spahr’s Seafood

    Spahrs Seafood

    “The Original” Catfish Chips, World Famous Bloody Marys, and Seafood Gumbo.

    601 W 4th St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Malt-N-Burger

    Iron Skillet Fried Chicken State Line Fried Chicken Finish Line Cafe Fried Chicken Ark Fried Chicken Chicken Tenders Takis Diner Fried Chicken

    Seafood Poboys, Burgers, Hot Dogs and Specialty Burgers, Ice Cream.

    1604 Canal Blvd, Thibodaux, LA 70301, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. Fremin’s Restaurant

    Fremins Restaurant

    At Fremin’s, we strive to retain the richness and excellence for which our regional dishes are known.

    402 W 3rd St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  6. Grady V’s American Bistro

    Grady Vs American Bistro

    Simple, honest, goodness.

    900 Country Club Blvd, Thibodaux, LA 70301, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. Flanagan’s Creative Food

    Flanagans Creative Food

    We have continued to update our restaurant and bar menus providing high quality product and service second to none.

    1111 Audubon Ave, Thibodaux, LA 70301, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$