By Kyle Roberts
The courthouse lobby entrance was shoulder-to-shoulder Friday morning with elected officials from both the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and Lincoln Parish School Board, all celebrating both the athletic and academic success of Ruston High School with a ceremonial unveiling of a limited edition framed state championship poster of the Bearcats after winning the team’s first title in over three decades.
Both Ruston High head football coach Jerrod Baugh and principal Dan Gressett were in attendance, as well, along with LPSB superintendent Ricky Durrett.
The ceremony came at the behest of Third Judicial Judge Bruce Hampton, who purchased the poster from the Lincoln Parish Journal following the Bearcats 31-17 victory over Zachary in the Super Dome. Hampton then spoke with police juror Greg “Big Coach” Williams about holding a formal event to showcase the framed poster, proudly displayed for everyone to see when they walk into the courthohuse.
Williams, now holder of the LPPJ District 1 seat, was on staff the last time Ruston won a state championship in 1990.
“It is an answered prayer for me for Ruston to win another one,” Williams said. “God allowed me to see another championship.”
Williams also spoke about how excited he is about the future of Lincoln Parish and said the state championship is a big piece of that.
“In five to six years from now, you’re not going to recognize Lincoln Parish,” Williams said. “This is the start for me — the championship.”
Hampton said he knew the poster would be best placed somewhere that would see a lot of foot traffic and get visitors.
“This is a great location in the courthouse for everyone to see,” Hampton said. “I can’t say enough about what the coaches have done, and I’m so appreciative to everybody who has worked for that program. I want more people to see the accomplishments for our schools, because that brings the community together.”
Members from the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and Lincoln Parish School board joined Hampton and spoke to how they see the connection between students’ athletic participation and athletic success.
“There’s nothing that brings a community together any stronger than athletics,” police jury president Glenn Scriber said. “When you’re winning, it draws a community together. But to follow up on that, there’s not a coach I’ve ever been around that will tell you that academics comes first (like Baugh). You can’t have athletics without academics — you have to have both. Like “Big Coach” said about being excited about the future of Lincoln Parish, the school system plays such an impeccable and important part of that.”
LPSB president Gregg Phillips echoed Scribers sentiments.
“As a father of four boys who have gone through Ruston High School, I agree academics and athletics are very highly connected,” Phillips said. “And I know (Baugh’s) commitment to academics is stronger than his pursuit of athletics, and that’s greatly appreciated.”
