Physicist and spouse lead Operation Smoke Sheaux fundraiser

On March 17-18, 2023, Dr. Andy Hollerman of our Physics Department and his wife Lynn, who works in Enterprise Application Services, were head officials for the 3rd Annual Operation Smoke Sheaux (OSS) BBQ Contest at Poche’s RV Park and Fish-N-Camp in Breaux Bridge, LA. This BCA contest had 54 participants, a prize payout of more than $10,500, and was sanctioned by the Barbecue Competitors Alliance (BCA), which is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation. Money raised from this contest will be used to benefit the on-campus student veterans and military services group at UL Lafayette. In 2022, more than $10,000 was raised by Operation Smoke Sheaux for this veteran’s group. It is expected to raise a similar amount for 2023. It should be noted that Dr. Hollerman is also the elected President of BCA and has served in the capacity since 2015. In his life, Dr. Hollerman has donated his time in 453 barbecue events as an official, judge, promoter, and cook all-across the United States. Mrs. Hollerman is also the Administrator of BCA.

To advertise OSS, Dr. Hollerman cooked a prime brisket for station KLFY (Lafayette, LA) Passe Partout with Gerald Gruenig on Friday, March 17, 2023. In addition, OSS will be featured in an upcoming episode of the BBQ USA television show. BBQ USA is an American cooking documentary series on the Food Network that also streams on Discovery+. The show follows former iron chef Michael Symon as he explores the art of barbecuing around the United States by traveling to BBQ competitions. Season One of BBQ USA premiered in July 2022. The OSS episode will be shown in Season Two which should air in summer 2023. Who knows, you might just see Dr. and Mrs. Hollerman on TV! Cameras from BBQ USA followed six different Louisiana cooks as they prepared entries for OSS.

Photo caption: Dr. Hollerman reading ticket numbers to the assembled crowd at the awards ceremony for OSS on Saturday, March 18, 2023.