When it comes to basketball Nicholls women’s coach Payne is a ‘Gym Daddy’

People who spend a lot of time in a basketball arena pick up the name “Gym Rats.”

In the case of Justin Payne, you could just call him a “Gym Daddy.”

As the first-year Nicholls coach was putting his team through the final practice paces of the 2023 calendar year, the session was interrupted by a pair of young visitors – Payne’s four-month-old son Justice and four-year-old daughter Rayah.

Both had been dropped off at Stopher Gym on the Thibodaux campus by their mother, Ravae’.

“With the (school) break, certain situations arise,” said Payne. “My wife had to go pick up my son (five-year-old Joshua) from school as well as having to feed the baby and everything like that, so I get to have the kids during practice.

“It was a blast just to be able to have him and my daughter in there. I wish I could have had my five-year-old, too. Just to have them in practice and the girls (Lady Colonels) interact with them, it’s just awesome.”

Because of the circumstances, it was a rare occasion.

“This was a one-time thing for right now because my wife is a stay-at-home-mom. She’s normally taking care of then, but in this case, I hope it happens a little bit more.”

With Rayah following around dad and with Payne towing Justice in his baby carriage on the court, it was a visible symbol of the type of family atmosphere the coach has formed with his team.

“First and foremost, I tell our kids God first, and then family, and then education and basketball,” said Payne. “I love being a dad. One of the biggest blessings is when you see the birth of your child.

“I just love being a dad, so those times out there when my wife needs my help, and as a dad you can help out with things that she normally takes care of, it’s just a blessing being able to do so.”

As his children get older, will they become more of a fixture at the gym?

“Absolutely. We want to have Daddy Daycare in the gym. Absolutely. Absolutely. So, yeah, I can definitely see that.”