NEWS

Barbara Reich Freiberg

Louisiana Tech University alumna Barbara Reich Freiberg, for 30 years an educator who turned from serving in the classroom to serving in the state legislature, continues to serve, this time as keynote speaker for Tech’s 2025 Winter Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1 in Thomas Assembly Center on the Ruston campus.

Also during the ceremony, Sonja Hogg — the original Lady Techster, coach of back-to-back national champions in 1981 and 1982, and a member of the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame — will receive the Tower Medallion, awarded to Tech alumni who have distinguished themselves by exceptional achievement, community service, and humanitarian activities.

As a recipient of the Tower Medallion, Hogg, now retired in Waco, Texas, will be inducted by the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association into Tech’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

Sonja Hogg

It was shortly after the passage of Title IX that Hogg founded the Lady Techsters with the support of then-Tech President F. Jay Taylor. Her vision led to the first dynasty in women’s college basketball and introduced the potential of women’s sports to a nation. Generations of women who have excelled in life because of the opportunities afforded by access to sports can look to the Lady Techsters and “Coach Hogg” as the foundation.

Hogg started the Lady Techsters basketball program in 1974 and spearheaded its climb to the pinnacle of Women’s collegiate basketball during an 11-year career. During her tenure, the Techsters never had a losing season, won a pair of national titles, went to the Final Four six straight times, set a national record with 54 consecutive victories, and compiled a composite record of 306-53, easily the finest in the nation during that time.

A native of Baton Rouge, Freiberg taught for 30 years in her hometown’s high school classrooms, then served 10 years as education administrator for the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). She continued serving in Baton Rouge-area educational positions until being elected to the State Legislature in 2019, when she quickly became involved in all aspects of the legislative process.

As a member of the Transportation, Highways, and Public Works Committee, the Education Committee, and the Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee, she has worked to pass legislation that will improve the state’s infrastructure, economy, and opportunities. As a member of the Early Childhood Care and Education Commission, the STEM Innovation Caucus, the Capital Region Legislative Delegation, and the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus, among other service groups, she has worked with experts from around Louisiana and the country in her effort to find solutions to some of the state’s greatest concerns.

Freiberg and her husband of 51 years, Mickey, are the parents of two grown children and the proud grandparents of three. She is a member of the University Methodist Church and is involved in numerous civic activities.