Ellison Haynes, a senior at David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy, has been crowned the 2025‑26 Gatorade Louisiana Boys Soccer Player of the Year, a distinction that caps a season in which he rewrote the school’s record books.
He finished the year with 39 goals and 11 assists, shattering two long‑standing marks — 39 goals in a single campaign and 64 career goals — while guiding the team to a 14‑7‑1 record and a Division II regional final.
The accolade follows a stint at the FC Bayern Munich Global Academy in Germany, where Haynes was the sole Louisiana prospect selected for the program, a journey he financed through a community‑driven fundraiser with the Cajun Rush Soccer Club.
Off the pitch, Haynes will continue his soccer career at Xavier University of Louisiana, having signed a letter of athletic aid, and he plans to pursue a degree in aviation with the ambition of becoming a commercial pilot, all while maintaining a 3.53 GPA.
His impact extends beyond athletics; he volunteers at Catholic Charities of Acadiana’s St. Joseph’s Diner soup kitchen and serves as a guest speaker for the Positively Affirmed Youth Mental Health Summit, using his platform to promote youth mental‑health awareness.
A Future in Flight and Service
Looking ahead, Haynes is set to balance the rigors of college soccer with his academic pursuits, aiming to soar both on the field and in the cockpit, while continuing to mentor younger athletes and advocate for mental‑health resources in his hometown.