Sunshine State Conference

From All-American to Prime Minister

Laurent Lamothe qualified for the NCAA national tournament twice during his career at Barry, setting the stage for today's Buccaneer men's teams, which have excelled at the national level. He became the first Barry tennis athlete to earn ITA All-American status, doing so after his NCAA Division II individual national quarterfinals trip in 1993.

Lamothe was the longest-tenured Prime Minister of Haiti. He was also an All-American. On May 4, 2012, the former Barry University tennis star took office. That was 19 years after he earned ITA All-American status.

The Port-au-Prince, Haiti native, was voted team MVP twice at Barry and was an All-Sunshine State Conference selection in 1994. He had a No. 28 national collegiate ranking in 1994 and was No. 44 during his sophomore season. Lamothe compiled a 46-29 career record, all from the number one position. Lamothe played in 20 countries as a member of the Haitian national Davis Cup team in 1994 and 1995. In 2000, he was named to the Athletics Wall of Honor for his achievements as a Barry Buccaneer.

Lamothe was an excellent student, earning Dean's List honors multiple times. Following a degree in political science, Lamothe furthered his studies in Barry's School of Business M.B.A. program.

He was active in the community with the "Food for the Poor" organization, working in clinics for underprivileged children. He also ran leadership clinics in Miami's Little Haiti.

With his business partner Patrice Baker, Lamothe founded the telecommunications company Global Voice Group in 1998. The company, which started as a small telecommunications business, is now a worldwide provider of technological solutions in emerging markets and developing countries.

Lamothe began his political career by accepting the position of Special Advisor to Haitian President Michel Martelly and became a member of the Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti. In 2011, Lamothe and former U.S. President Bill Clinton co-chaired the Presidential Advisory Council for Economic Development and Investment to help redevelop Haiti by making it more attractive to foreign companies and investors. Subsequently, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti before being formally appointed Prime Minister.

Lamothe successfully served as Prime Minister of Haiti between May 2012 and December 2014. It is the longest tenure of any Haitian Prime Minister in the last three decades. During his time in office, Lamothe presided over the design and implementation of an important social policy agenda, which targeted the most vulnerable sectors of the Haitian population. Lamothe also presided over the largest infrastructure development in recent memory which, included schools, bridges, and roads now clearly visible throughout Haiti.

Lamothe was named to the SSC Hall of Fame in March of 2016. "Barry University changed my life," Lamothe said upon accepting the award. "When I came to the University, I was only looking for an education. I left with much more."

[Published: 4/22/16 / Edited: 3/24/20]

About the 40 Great Moments Campaign

The "40 Great Moments" campaign was created to bring attention to the athletic excellence, academic excellence, community engagement, and sportsmanship that has made up the Sunshine State Conference over the last 40 years. Moments were nominated by current and former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni, and fans. The final 40 moments were decided upon by a vote of conference Sports Information Directors. The "40 Great Moments" campaign concluded during the Summer of 2016.

View all 40 of the SSC's Great Moments, here.