BY: Dan McDonald

Louisiana Athletics Staff Writer

LAFAYETTE – The fowlest of the fowl is back, for a one-night roost at the Cajundome. 

For nearly two decades, the Fabulous Cajun Chicken delighted Ragin’ Cajun athletic audiences with his unique brand of comedy, his never-ending list of characters, and the level of zaniness he brought to his sideline and on-court antics. 

On Saturday, Feb. 4, when UL’s basketball squad takes on Marshall at 7 p.m. in a key Sun Belt Conference game, the Chicken will make a one-night return to the court. It’s a good bet that mayhem will result. 

That night is also Senior Night, when UL coach Bob Marlin and the Cajun program honors the senior members of the 2022-23 basketball squad. For the Fabulous Cajun Chicken, that’s almost fitting. 

“When I heard it was senior night,” said the Chicken (a.k.a. Russell Heim in real-life), “I said, great, I’m a senior citizen now, so I thought it was nice to be honored like that.” 

Heim won’t be one of the Cajun seniors honored in pregame activities, but he’ll be part of the show as he brings some of his classic skits back to life after an absence of nearly 20 years. The Fabulous Cajun Chicken made his debut back in Blackham Coliseum in 1984 and followed the Cajun basketball team to the Cajundome two years later.