BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Travis Blaize won’t be coaching the Westminster Christian Academy football team in 2023, but his departure from the campus outside Opelousas is anything but immediate.
Blaize, who became WCA head football coach in 2021, has accepted a similar position with Acadiana Renaissance Academy in Youngsville.
Last week Blaize was formally introduced to parents who intend sending their children to the school which has become part of the Lafayette Charter Foundation program.
With Blaize choosing to leave WCA, it also leaves a void for football positions in District 4-1A,
Blaize is the fourth district head football coach to leave a district program since the end of 2022.
Thomas David of Opelousas Catholic has announced that he is leaving the school perhaps to obtain a job in the public school system.
The decision by David followed a decision by Jacob Carruth to leave North Central. Carruth was subsequently named the new head coach at Avoyelles High School.
Sacred Heart-Ville Platte is also looking for a new head coach after Josh Harper left the school after eight years to become the head coach at Marksville High.
Westminster was 8-12 during the two seasons under Blaize.
“Leaving (WCA) was a difficult decision. We had a young team last year and we have a good group of players who are coming back. There is also a lot of interest now in playing football (at WCA),” Blaize said.
The Renaissance Academy is also starting an athletic program this year and that initiative also includes football, Blaize says.
“It was a job that was so tempting for me to pursue. From where I am living, I can look just down the street and see the school. Renaissance Academy is a growing school and it presents a great opportunity for me,” says Blaize.
Currently the south campus of Acadiana Renaissance where Blaize will be coaching includes a varsity program of junior high through freshmen.
The football program as Blaize envisions its development, will at this point include the junior high and freshmen. Next year Blaize thinks there may be enough players to schedule junior varsity games.
If there aren’t enough athletes to play comprise a junior varsity program, Blaize says he will consider incorporating the junior high players into a group that could compete against schools in similar situations.
For the next couple of months however Blaize expects to remain at Westminster, helping condition boys and girls track athletes, returning members of the volleyball team and football players who are awaiting the selection of a new head football coach.
Blaize didn’t speculate on the time stamp established by WCA school officials for selecting a new football coach.
Currently Blaize says WCA school officials have been accepting applications for the head coaching position.
