Bowl Season Hall of Fame
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl’s Mike McCarthy was named a member of the Bowl Season Leadership Hall of Fame Class of 2025. McCarthy, a local business owner of Curtis Stout, has been an integral part of the Independence Bowl since the early days in the Bowl’s 49-year history, and he has continued his tremendous support of the Independence Bowl to this day as he approaches his 90th birthday in October 2025.
McCarthy has been a staunch supporter of local college and high school athletics for many decades, among various other civic endeavors. He was the President of the Shreveport Sports Foundation beginning in 1984. Later, he was the Independence Bowl Chairman in 1993 for a Virginia Tech vs. Indiana matchup. The matchup featured College Football Hall of Famer Frank Beamer coaching in his first bowl game.
He is a long-time member of the Independence Bowl Selection Committee and has played a major role in recruiting many Independence Bowl teams over the last 40 years – including Lou Holtz’s Minnesota team in 1985, before Holtz departed for Notre Dame following the 1985 regular season, and the in-state Tulane Green Wave in 1987. The relationships McCarthy developed with college coaches and administrators over the years helped pave the path for some of the most historic matchups in Independence Bowl history.
To recognize his dedication to the Independence Bowl and bowl games, McCarthy has received numerous awards and recognitions. One of his most prized recognitions was being awarded the Bud Dudley Bowl Executive Award in 2000. Another tremendous honor bestowed upon him was the Distinguished American Award, which he received in 1994 from the Northern Louisiana Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The award was given to a former player who has carried the lessons learned on the football field into a life of service in the community.
From his local bowl game, McCarthy has received countless honors for his everlasting support of the Independence Bowl. He was named the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year in 1985 and received the Legend Award from the Independence Bowl Foundation in 2016. He is also a two-time Volunteer of the Year – 2013 and 2021.
McCarthy has provided tremendous support to local collegiate athletics – providing financial and advisory support for LSU Shreveport Athletics and Centenary College. He has also been a constant supporter of Loyola College Prep. He has also served on and been President of local boards such as the Strand Theatre and the Shreveport Opera.
His involvement in numerous community organizations and endeavors has earned him many honors throughout Shreveport-Bossier City. He was named a member of the Centenary College Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 1997, Loyola College Prep Flyer of the Year in 2015, LSU Shreveport Pilot of the Year in 2018 and received the LSU Shreveport Chancellor Community Partner Award in 2023.
McCarthy’s company, Curtis Stout, which deals with lighting, electrical automation and audio-visual products, has previously helped light Independence Stadium and the Superdome in New Orleans.
McCarthy is a 1957 graduate of Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., where he was a letter-winner in football, track and cross country.
