(This is part of a series on the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted in Natchitoches on June 28th.)

By LES EAST

Written for the LSWA

 

Ed Daniels wasn’t a Hall of Fame athlete.

He wasn’t a Hall of Fame coach or administrator.

But he might as well have been all three.

He had the discipline and competitive nature of Hall of Fame athletes, the game-planning and people skills of a Hall of Fame coach as well as the organizational and talent-evaluation skills of Hall of Fame administrators.

On top of that he was a heck of a teammate.

Daniels applied all of those abilities in building a distinguished broadcasting career that earned him posthumous inclusion in this year’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction class, as a recipient of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

The Class of 2025 will be enshrined in Natchitoches June 26-28. For event information visit LaSportsHall.com.

The native of New Orleans who graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School and Loyola University began his 47-year broadcasting career as a sports intern at WVUE-TV in New Orleans in 1977.

He once said “my career goal was always to work in my hometown” and with the exception of a stint as sports director at KPLC-TV in Lake Charles (1980-81) he did just that – working as a sports reporter and weekend anchor at WDSU and as sports director at WGNO from 1992 until his death on August 16, 2024 at age 67.

“He cared about his city, and he cared about his city’s sports,” said Delgado Community College athletic director/head baseball coach Joe Scheuermann, who also is a Hall of Fame inductee this year. “He had a pulse of what people wanted to see.”

That pulse led Daniels to create the signature role of his career. When he arrived at WGNO it was like a really good young athlete joining a new team that would provide a fertile opportunity to blossom.

The WGNO station manager broached the idea of producing a half-hour NFL program; Daniels had a less-obvious but more astute idea.

“Let’s do a high school football show,” Daniels told the station manager. “Let’s do something that’s completely local, that no one else is doing that people will respond to.”

After “this big debate” took place within the station, the trend-setting Friday Night Football debuted in 1992, became an instant hit, and coverage of prep football in Louisiana hasn’t been the same since.

Daniels produced the show and co-anchored with John Curtis Christian head coach J.T. Curtis, who has since accumulated the most on-field victories of any high-school football coach in the history of the United States.

The prospect of one head coach being handed such a forum raised eyebrows, particularly at the top of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, but Daniels had as keen an eye for broadcasting talent as his co-anchor had for football talent, and Curtis has proven to be a trustworthy analyst.

Robert O’Shields was Daniels’ photographer and right hand for Friday Night Football.

“When one episode of the Friday Night Football show was done, Ed was already looking at the next week right after the show,” O’Shields said. “He was already looking at what was going to be the big match-ups for the next week.”

As O’Shields would drive the two to cover an LSU or Tulane game the next day, Daniels would be on the phone with high-school coaches, preparing previews about their upcoming games, lining up feature stories for during the week, and gathering the name of candidates to be player of the week and scholar-athlete of the week.

Once district play began and especially as the playoffs neared, Daniels would remind his photographers shooting games of the importance of staying “until it’s over if it’s a close game.”

O’Shields recalled shooting a district game at East St. John in Reserve. Daniels watched the first half, then returned to the station to finish producing the show, which was his habit.

He would call periodically to check on the game’s progress and after learning it was going to the wire, he told O’Shields, “Stay. That’s a River Parish game, and it’s really important to those two teams.”

The game wound up going into “four or five overtimes” and O’Shields stayed until the end.

“He was very proud,” O’Shields said of Daniels, “because it meant a lot to those people there.”

The success of the show eventually led to it becoming a one-hour program and 12 years ago the football show spawned Friday Night Fastball, a spring version that featured Daniels and Scheuermann discussing prep and college softball and baseball.

“It’s something that people wanted,” Scheuermann said. “People want to see their kids covered. He understood what people wanted.”

Daniels was named Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association for 1997, 2014 and 2018. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Press Club of New Orleans in 2014.

He was inducted into the Rummel Hall of Fame in 2013 along with classmate and longtime media partner Ken Trahan. The two met at Rummel in 1975 and Daniels confided to his new acquaintance that he was an only child and had recently lost his father. The two became fast and lifelong friends.

Trahan admired and emulated Daniels’ tireless work ethic, as did countless other colleagues, and compared him to workaholic NFL coaches, working until late at night and returning early the next morning, day after day, week after week, season after season.

Daniels felt the responsibility to prepare the best product he was capable of making as acutely as any of the coaches that he covered.

The distance from New Orleans to Baton Rouge didn’t prevent Daniels from treating LSU’s nationally prominent athletic programs as though they were in his backyard. Similarly the lack of national prominence of the programs in his backyard didn’t prevent him from treating them as though they were nationally prominent.

If you were an athlete, coach or team whose story deserved to be told he was going to find you and tell your story – whether it was at a playground or at a high school outside of the immediate New Orleans area, not to mention the Caesars Superdome, the Smoothie King Center or a variety of college campuses throughout Louisiana. 

“It didn’t matter how big you are, how little you are, he covered you,” Scheuermann said.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame broadcaster Ro Brown met up with Daniels and Trahan at Loyola, worked with Daniels in Lake Charles, at WDSU and in a variety of other places, mostly having to do with prep coverage.

“He liked the purity of prep sports,” Brown said. “It was still a game where it wasn’t the elite athlete. He liked the idea of the 160-pound nose guard, the kid just playing hard, never gonna play in college, but he’s an all-state lineman. He liked the community of it, the connection that you had with people that you don’t necessarily feel as closely with professional or collegiate sports.

“He liked the high school coaches. They were normal, ordinary people who did extraordinary things. Most of them didn’t have this air about them, didn’t act like the professional coaches. You could talk to them. You saw them in the store. You saw them at the Mardi Gras parade. I think that’s why he liked prep sports. It was just fun to cover.”

Trahan and Daniels started a radio sports talk show, “Two Guys on Tuesday” at WWL/WSMB and teamed on broadcasts of University of New Orleans basketball games, New Orleans Night Arena Football League games and New Orleans Saints games.

Daniels was an original and long-time contributor to what is now “Ken Trahan’s Original Prep Football Report,” which debuted in 1995 as a radio complement to Friday Night Football. Later that year, Daniels and Trahan were joined by Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Archie Manning in hosting “The Tailgaters Show,” which still airs on 106.7 The Ticket.

Daniels wrote a weekly sports column for the Clarion Herald beginning in 2005 and was a primary contributor to what is now Crescent City Sports from 2008 until his passing.

During his tenure at WGNO, Daniels switched to news reporter/anchor when the station temporarily de-emphasized sports coverage. He further demonstrated his versatility by co-hosting the WGNO-produced game show “N.O. It Alls,” which featured trivia on New Orleans topics.

In recent years he was co-tournament director of the AllState Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic basketball tournament and the WGNO Baseball Classic.

When Daniels was stricken by a heart attack last August he was in California covering Saints training camp. His employer didn’t require that he be there, but his sense of professional responsibility did.

The impact that Daniels had on the Louisiana sports community and beyond was immediately evident in the wake of his passing.

A Kenner playground that is the site of prep football games was renamed “Ed Daniels Field” and Archbishop Shaw High School renamed its football jamboree “The Ed Daniels Classic.” Nearly 80 high school football teams wore helmet stickers featuring Daniels’ initials.

The Saints, LSU and Tulane all memorialized seats in their press areas honoring Daniels. The NFL recognized him at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Trahan is establishing a scholarship in Daniels’ name at Rummel.

In May, Daniel, Trahan and Brown were inducted in the Loyola Hall of Fame as representatives of the school’s widely respected Communications school.

The passion that Daniels had for sports and his career was evident in his life away from work.

He was dedicated to his family – wife Robin, their five children, Erin, Stephanie, Ryne, Christopher, and Jonathan, and their grandchildren; he sang regularly in the choir at St. Philip Neri Church; and he routinely called the Saturday before Fat Tuesday “the best day of the year” as he reveled in his ride in the Endymion parade, generously showering friends and strangers alike with some of the most coveted catches of the Mardi Gras season.

After Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson arranged to have Daniels flown home from Los Angeles, O’Shields visited his comatose friend at Ochsner hospital, sensing correctly that it would be his final visit.

O’Shields stood over him and “I thanked him because he taught me not only to be a professional journalist, but now a husband and a father and just an all-around good person. He did that to my life, professionally and personally, and I thanked him for that.”

 _______________________________________

New Orleans resident Les East has collected a slew of writing awards in his career, including recent recognition from the LSWA as the 2024 Prep Writer of the Year and the 2022 Sports Writer of the Year. He is a contributor to Crescent City Sports, Saturday Down South, and several other publications.

---

The driver of a vehicle stopped for failure to signal a turn was arrested by Ruston Police for numerous drug and firearm offenses.

Mitchell Lacurtis White, 57, of Ruston, was arrested about 4 a.m. June 22 after a traffic stop and a stolen shotgun was discovered in the vehicle.

When White exited the vehicle, officers noticed the shotgun behind the front seat. The gun was partially covered by clothing and other items. White denied a shotgun was in the truck, replying, “You mean the pellet gun?”

---

When an officer placed a hand on White’s shoulder and asked him to step to the front of the patrol car, White fell to the ground, screaming, “You hit me.” White remained on the ground for about 10 minutes “causing a scene,” according to an officer’s report.

Ruston Ambulance Service was called to the scene and White was transported to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center complaining of neck pain.

A records check revealed the shotgun was stolen in Ruston and that White was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms.

Upon his discharge from the hospital, White was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. When searched, detention center staff found bags of suspected methamphetamine and synthetic marijuana in White’s shoes.

Charges against While include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, introduction of contraband (methamphetamine) into a penal facility, introduction of contraband (synthetic marijuana) into a penal facility, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance.

White’s bail was set at $170,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

On a relaxing Sunday afternoon on June 28, 1931, Betty Robinson and her cousin Wilson Palmer, a novice pilot, decided to take a flight in what one newspaper described as “an ancient plane of small design.”  Betty was an Olympian.  In 1928, she won the first Olympic championship in the 100 meters for women’s track.  Betty had made a few attempts to pilot a plane herself and took frequent flights with her cousin.  Betty’s and Wilson’s parents and friends chatted warmly at the airfield as their flight began.  It was a scene they were familiar with until the airplane reached an altitude of about 400 feet.  They noticed something was wrong.  The airplane was struggling to gain altitude and the engine stalled.  Wilson fought at the controls until the plane “slipped into a nosedive and plunged almost straight down.”  At that crucial moment, Wilson instinctively cut off the plane’s ignition switch.  There was nothing anyone could do.  Wilson fought with the controls until the end.  Family and friends watched helplessly for those few seconds as the plane silently plummeted straight down to the ground right in front of them.  Because Wilson had turned off the ignition switch, there was no fire.  The crowd rushed to what remained of the airplane and dragged Betty’s and Wilson’s unconscious bodies from the wreckage.  Motorists who had witnessed the crash stopped to help and transported Betty and Wilson to two different hospitals in Chicago; Betty was taken to Oak Forest Infirmary and Wilson to Ingalls Memorial Hospital.  Doctors at both hospitals told their families that it was unlikely that either would survive.  All they could do was hope and pray.

---

After reviewing her x-rays, Dr. Jacob Minke explained Betty’s injuries: “The thigh bone is fractured in several places between the knee and the hip and when it heals it will probably be a little shorter than the other leg.  It will be months before she is able to walk again.  She has a fractured left arm and internal injuries which may be more serious than is yet apparent.”  Headlines read, “Crash Will End Athletics for Betty Robinson.”

On September 5, 1931, Betty was able to leave the hospital but remained in a wheelchair.  She slowly began regaining her strength and her ability to walk.  “Not being able to race is terrible to contemplate,” Betty said after leaving the hospital, “but I have determined not to let this accident ruin my life.”  She hoped to become a coach at the 1936 Olympics.  Despite her countless hours of physical therapy and training, Betty was never able to get back into the crouching position runners take before a race.  Betty was at the 1936 Olympics, but not as a coach.  Five years after the airplane crash that left her body broken and battered, Betty was part of the U.S. 4 x 100 meter relay team.  During the race, Betty took the lead from her German counterpart and led her team to victory.  Even with a stiff left arm and permanent damage to her left leg, Betty Robinson won her second Olympic Gold Medal.       

Sources:

1.      The Minneapolis Tribune, June 29, 1931, p.1.

2.      Chicago Tribune, June 30, 1931, p. 13.

3.      Chicago Tribune, September 6, 1931, p.17.

4.      Chicago Tribune, September 29, 1931, p.4.

5.      Chicago Tribune, December 22, 1931, p.21.

6.      Chicago Tribune, August 10, 1936, p.20.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

---

---

Click the three bars in the bottom corner and select “With Radar” to see current precipitation and storms in your area.

Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Friday, June 27
10 a.m.: Therapy Dog storytime special (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)

Saturday, June 28
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2 p.m.: Russ-Town Band Concert (Howard Auditorium, Louisiana Tech)
3-5 p.m.: Puzzle swap (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)

---

Sunday, June 29
2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)

Monday, June 30
10 a.m.: Senior Health (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Community Room)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
4 p.m.: Story hour at Lincoln Parish Library (Events Center)
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, July 1
10 a.m.: Harvey Rabbit and Friends (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
2 p.m.: Crafternoon at Lincoln Parish Library Community Room (Ages 5 and up)
4 p.m.: Color wheel wreath for teens (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.)
6 p.m.: Fitness class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

Wednesday, July 2
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome

Thursday, July 3
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: Yoga at Lincoln Parish Library Events Center
8:30 p.m.: Temple Baptist Church fireworks

Friday, July 4
Independence Day

Saturday, July 5
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m.: Fighting Gaming Community (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Community Room)

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

by Kane McGuire

Last week, I found myself pulled into the gravitational force that is Chris Low’s ESPN article on college football’s 10 most unbreakable records.  Before I even clicked, I just knew Louisiana Tech had to be in there.  I mean, c’mon — Troy Edwards torching Nebraska for 405 receiving yards?  Or how about Colby Cameron’s video-game-level streak of 444 pass attempts without a single interception?  Neither made the cut.
 
So, this got me to thinking, what are some of the records in Louisiana Tech history that could very well stand the test of time.  At first, I thought about just football, but then I was curious about all the sports.  Needless to say, this sent me spiraling down a fun rabbit hole.  Let the deep dive begin.
 
SOCCER
Player – 6 goals scored by Amber Posthauer at Alcorn State (Aug. 25, 2019)
Amber Posthauer, a 5-foot firecracker in the midfield, had just four combined goals her first two seasons at LA Tech.  That more than doubled in the second game of the 2019 season as the junior netted not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but six goals at Alcorn State.  The first one came in the 14th minute with a 1v1 solo win.  Over the next 52 minutes, Posthauer turned the field into her personal highlight reel, capping the day with a one-touch finish from the left wing in the 68th.  By the final whistle, she wasn’t just rewriting the stat sheet — she was etching her name into NCAA history.  Her six-goal outburst remains tied for the fourth most in a Division I women’s soccer match (three have tallied seven).  This record will most likely go unmatched.
 
Team – 5 consecutive games in overtime (2008)
This is technically cheating since the NCAA pulled the plug on regular season overtime back in 2022.  But come on … five straight OT games in one season?  That’s just wild.  It all went down in 2008, a stretch of chaos the Bulldogs haven’t come close to replicating since (they’ve never had more than two in a row go to extras any other time).  It kicked off with a 2-2 snow-globe showdown at Boise State, followed by a frozen 0-0 draw in Idaho.  The drama followed them home where neither Fresno State nor Nevada could be dealt with in regulation.  And just when you thought it might end, LA Tech played at San Jose State and you guessed it, another tie after 110 minutes on the pitch. 
 
VOLLEYBALL
Player – 604 kills in a season by Katie Dow (1992)
There’s a reason Katie Dow has a permanent seat in the LA Tech Athletics Hall of Fame — and it’s because she absolutely murdered the volleyball stat sheet (don’t worry, it’s legal in volleyball lingo). Hailing from New Orleans, Dow unleashed a full-on kill storm at LA Tech.  Her senior year?  An avalanche of 604 kills, smashing her way to a program-record 29 wins.  That’s 15.5 kills per match. Every.  Single.  Time.  Yikes.  The closest anyone’s come to chasing her thunder was the very next season when Sharla Richardson checked in with a mere 436.  Katie wasn’t just spiking volleyballs — she was spiking history.
 
Team – 294 service aces in a season (1992)
Tennis courts aren’t the only place you can find service aces.  Back in 1992, LA Tech turned the volleyball court into an ace factory, piling up a jaw-dropping 294 service aces in just the sixth year of the program’s existence.  That’s a wild average of 7.5 aces per match in what many still call the greatest season in program history.  It was an ace-arama of epic proportions.  And let’s be real: that record might as well be written in stone — LA Tech hasn’t hit 200 service aces in a season in 20 years.
 
FOOTBALL
Player – 405 receiving yards by Troy Edwards at Nebraska (Aug. 29, 1998)
Of all the Bulldog records out there, this one might just be the crown jewel.  It’s the 1998 season opener.  The stage?  Lincoln, Nebraska.  The opponent?  The defending national champion Cornhuskers.  The crowd?  76,000+ packed into Memorial Stadium.  The result?  Troy Edwards going nuclear.  He didn’t just torch Nebraska’s famed Blackshirts defense — he incinerated them.  Catch after catch, yard after yard, until the final stat line read: 405 receiving yards.  Yep, FOUR football fields worth of damage.  Still an NCAA record to this day.  He bested the old mark by 42 yards, and even in today’s era of video-game offenses, no one’s topped him.  The bar was set in ’98, and it hasn’t budged.  Legendary doesn’t even begin to cover it.
 
Team – 100 points against Clarke Memorial College (Oct. 27, 1922)
Back in 1922, LA Tech’s defense was straight-up stingy.  The Bulldogs opened the season by blanking three straight opponents: Hendrix College, Louisiana State Normal (now Northwestern State), and Henderson Brown (now Henderson State).  But on October 27, the offense said, “our turn,” and turned Clarke Memorial College’s inaugural football season into a full-blown track meet.  Final score?  100 to zilch.  That’s right — a Benjamin of points.  Three weeks later, they nearly hit triple digits again, settling for a modest 89 (sadness).  Over a century later, that 100-point game still stands untouched in the Bulldog record books — and probably always will.  LA Tech flirted with it a few times, dropping 77 in more recent years.  And in 2012, they had 70 on Idaho through just three quarters. But then they kindly called the dogs off.
 
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Player – 33 rebounds by Charlie Bishop vs. Centenary (Feb. 28, 1967)
When Bulldog fans hear “Summerfield, Louisiana,” their minds jump straight to Karl Malone — and rightfully so.  But before the Mailman was delivering dunks in Ruston, another towering talent put Summerfield on the map.  Enter Charlie Bishop, LA Tech’s first-ever 7-footer and a true glass-cleaning machine.  As a freshman in the 1966-67 season, Bishop made history on Feb. 28 against in-state rival Centenary by hauling in a jaw-dropping, backboard-busting 33 rebounds — a program record that still stands tall.  And let’s be real … if legends like Mike Green or Paul Millsap couldn’t top it, that record is probably safe.
 
Team – Averaged 101.1 points per game (1971-72)
In the 1971-72 season opener, the Bulldog Basketball squad managed just 75 points against Louisiana College.  Not exactly fireworks.  But whatever legendary head coach Scotty Robertson said or did after that game — whiteboard wizardry or a locker room pep talk worthy of a Hollywood script — it worked.  The ‘Dogs suddenly turned into a high-octane scoring machine, dropping 100+ points in 10 straight games.  They lit up Southern Miss for 123 and casually hung 107 on Auburn like it was no big deal.  By midseason, they were averaging a ridiculous 107.8 points per game, thrilling fans and torching nets coast-to-coast.  The final tally?  101.1 points per game, a season average that feels more video game than real life.  Spoiler alert: that ain’t happening again anytime soon.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Player – 2,979 career points scored by Pam Kelly (1978-82)
Just a year ago, Louisiana Tech celebrated 50 legendary years of Lady Techster basketball — and if you’ve ever stepped inside the Thomas Assembly Center, you know it’s more than just a gym.  It’s a shrine.  Look up, and the banners practically whisper stories of Final Fours, national titles, and unforgettable moments.  Among them, hanging proudly, is the retired No. 41 jersey — Pam Kelly’s number.  The pride of Columbia, Louisiana, Pam didn’t just play the game, she rewrote it.  A three-time Kodak All-American, she poured in 2,979 career points with smooth precision, averaging 19.5 per game on an eye-popping 62.3% shooting.  Nobody’s even sniffed her record since — not within 500 points.  Let’s call it like it is: Pam Kelly didn’t just wear No. 41 … she was No. 1.  The GOAT.  (oh, and her program-record 1,511 career rebounds probably won’t be broken either).
 
Team – Ranked top two in the country for 70 consecutive weeks (1980-84)
Once upon a jump shot, the AP Women’s Basketball Top 20 was born thanks to Mel Greenberg of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who started it off in 1976-77.  It didn’t take long for the Lady Techsters to crash the party, making their poll debut on Feb. 15, 1978, at No. 20.  But they weren’t interested in just being invited — they were aiming for the throne.  And on Christmas Day 1979, they unwrapped the No. 1 ranking like a perfectly timed present.  From there, it was pure dominance: the Lady Techsters tipped off the 1980-81 season still at No. 1 and refused to let go, spending 70 straight weeks ranked in the top two nationally.  During that reign?  Two national titles, one runner-up finish, and a Final Four for good measure.  They weren’t just a team in Ruston — they were the team, a powerhouse that became a permanent part of NCAA legend.
 
GOLF
Player – 64 career rounds at or under par by Victor Lange (2012-16)
When one of South Africa’s top amateurs, Victor Lange, signed with the Bulldogs in April 2012, big things were expected. And Victor? He delivered immediately.  In his very first collegiate event — the Sam Hall Intercollegiate — he casually fired an eight-under to snag the title.  Three straight rounds under par.  No warm-up needed.  Just instant greatness.  That was the spark that ignited a legendary run.  Over the next four seasons, Victor rewrote the LA Tech golf record book like it was his own personal scorecard.  The crown jewel is probably his mind-blowing 64 career rounds of par or better — a number that still towers over the next best, James Swash, who sits at 50.  With his silky-smooth lefty swing, three NCAA Regional appearances, and a CUSA Player of the Year honor in his bag, Victor Lange didn’t just play the game — he owned it.   
 
Team – 6 team titles in one season (1975)
The 1975 Bulldog Golf season got off to a promising start, finishing third at the Mardi Gras Invitational.  Apparently third place was simply not good enough.  The team played seven more regular season tournaments.  The result?  They won six of them.  Count ’em up.  The Quandragle Meet (1st).  The McNeese Invitational (1st).  The Northeast Invitational (1st).  The Louisiana Intercollegiate Invitational (1st).  The Tech Invitational (of course 1st).  Then head coach Wallace Martin led LA Tech to seven more team titles, but that was over the course of three other seasons.  Six in one?  That probably won’t be outdone.     
 
SOFTBALL
Player – 50 wins in the circle by Debbie Nichols (1988)
Before the 1988 season, legendary head coach Bill Galloway made it clear: the game plan was simple — give the ball to Debbie Nichols and get out of the way.  The 5-foot-8 right-hander from Mesquite, Texas, had already dazzled as a freshman with 25 wins (a LA Tech rookie record), but that was just her warm-up act.  As a sophomore, Nichols literally doubled her win total by racking up 50 wins — yes, FIFTY — out of 58 appearances.  She allowed just 42 runs all season, fanned 207 batters, and issued only 40 walks.  Oh, and her 36 shutouts?  Still the NCAA Division I gold standard.  She went on to become a three-time All-American and had her No. 13 jersey rightfully retired.  And just to flex a little more — the second-most career wins in LA Tech history? That would be 41… also by Debbie Nichols.  Total dominance.  Total legend.
 
Team – 0.39 earned run average in a season (1983)
It was only year four for LA Tech Softball, but they weren’t playing like a rookie program — they were playing like rock stars with gloves.  They blazed through the regular season, notching statement wins over the likes of Indiana, Kansas State, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and even tossing a no-no against eventual national champ Texas A&M (thanks, freshman phenom Stacey Johnson!).  No wonder they punched their ticket to the Women’s College World Series.  With Johnson and sophomore Tami Cyr dealing in the circle, LA Tech spun 26 shutouts, including three no-hitters and six one-hitters between them.  A 0.39 team ERA?  Excuse us while we pick our jaws up off the dirt.   Other stellar teams in the 80’s tried their best that single-season ERA record, but no such luck by them or anyone else over the last 40+ years.
 
BASEBALL
Player – 12.2 innings pitched in a game by Richard Hunter (1990 vs. Arkansas State)
The box score is a mystery (could not find it anywhere in the archives), but one thing’s for sure — April 8, 1990, was an Ironman moment for Alexandria native Richard Hunter.  The LA Tech sophomore took the hill in Ruston against Arkansas State and decided he wasn’t coming out.  The game went into extra innings, and so did Richard.  He battled for 12 and 2/3 innings in a 6-5 heart breaker, setting the program’s long-outing record (the previous mark was 11 innings by Keith Thibodeaux back in 1980).  This is the same guy who according to a news article threw 166 pitches in a game against UL-Lafayette once, so yeah … dude had a rubber arm.  Think anyone’s ever going to top that?  Not likely.
 
Team – 21 innings played against Southern Arkansas (Feb. 16, 1985)
Bulldog fans had waited 287 days since the end of the 1984 season to watch their favorite baseball team again.  LA Tech was set to open the 1985 season at J.C. Love Field on Feb. 16 against Southern Arkansas.  The two teams were set to play a doubleheader in Magnolia the next day.  Little did they know they would also play a doubleheader (and then some) in the season opener.  The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard first thanks to an RBI by the catcher Pat Moore.  The Muleriders would tie the game up in the fifth on a solo homer.  The scoring would cease to exist … for another 15 innings!  Four hours and 54 minutes after the first pitch, LA Tech walked it off thanks to a two-out, game-winning RBI by Jim Faircloth.  The final score 2-1.  The final inning count, 21.  BLACKJACK!  The closest the Bulldogs have gotten over the last 40 years is 16 innings.  One of those came in the following season – 1986 – and another was as recent as 2023 at Florida Atlantic. 
 
TENNIS
Player – 25 wins in a season by Zoie Epps (2025)
Heading into the 2025 season, if you asked me which LA Tech individual record was unbreakable, I would’ve quickly pointed at Marla Watson’s 22 singles wins from way back in 1982.  That mark felt untouchable — especially in today’s college tennis world, where finishing matches has become a luxury thanks to clinch rules.  But then Zoie Epps stepped on the court and said, “Hold my racket.”  Not only did she finish all 28 of her singles matches (a feat in itself), she won 25 of them to best Marta.  So yeah, I was wrong.  And now, I’m doubling down: Zoie’s new record of 25 wins is the one to beat.  Unless, of course, she decides to outdo herself in either of the next two years.
 
Team – 14 road wins in a season (1982)
The 1982 LA Tech tennis schedule was tough to say the least.  A travel-heavy gauntlet featuring names like Ole Miss, Memphis, Notre Dame, Kansas, Auburn, and a slew of regional rivals.  They basically lived out of a suitcase. Of their 27 matches that season, 19 were on the road.  That’s not a schedule — that’s a tour. But the team didn’t flinch.  They thrived.  They won 14 matches, including a four-match road sweep to close the season over Arkansas State, Southern Arkansas, UL-Lafayette, and Northwestern State.  Nowadays, plenty opponents flock to the LA Tech Tennis Complex for matches so the opportunities to stack road wins aren’t what they used to be.  Yes, 2014 gave us a squad that picked up 12 road wins, but that ’82 crew were true road warriors.
 
TRACK AND FIELD
Player – Chelsea Hayes 23 feet, 3.5 inch long jump at US Olympic Trials (July 1, 2012)
Crack open the LA Tech track and field record book and you’ll find plenty of jaw-dropping marks that seem etched in stone.  Legends like Kim Francis and Trey Hadnot blazed tracks, while John Campbell and April Malveo turned throwing events into highlight reels.  But one record comes with Hollywood-level drama — Chelsea Hayes and the long jump.  The pride of New Orleans, Hayes had bounce built into her DNA.  A natural-born leaper with LA Tech greatness already secured, she stepped onto the runway at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with a dream and a prayer.  Her best jump at that point?  21-10.75.  Then came her first attempt: BOOM — 22-2.25.  A new personal record.  But still short of the podium.  Then: foul. Foul. Foul. Foul.  Four chances, four heartbreaks.  One jump left.  One shot at history.  And Chelsea delivered.  23 feet, 3.5 inches.  Good for second place and a spot on Team USA. Some records live on paper.  Hers?  It soared into legend.
 
Team – 9 consecutive years of having the 200m outdoor men’s conference champion (2006-14)
When it comes to speed, few did it better than former LA Tech track and field head coach (and future Hall of Famer) Gary Stanley.  The man didn’t just build teams — he built a sprinting empire with 21 conference titles and 46 All-Americans.  And perhaps nowhere was that greatness more blazing than in the sprints.  In one event in particular, the Bulldogs practically owned podium at the conference tournament … and that was the men’s outdoor 200 meters.  For nearly a decade, from Michael Coleman to Al Fullwood, Trey Hadnot to Dennis Richardson, LA Tech turned the event into a personal trophy collection — nine straight conference titles.  That’s freaky fast and freaky incredible. And while the program has had its fair share of dominance elsewhere, this sprint streak might just be the gold standard.
 
BOWLING
Player – Allie Leiendecker named All-American for five straight years (2019-24)
On Nov. 15, 2018, LA Tech Bowling rolled a strike before the season even started — they signed Allie Leiendecker.  Hailing from Wooster, Ohio, she was a walking trophy shelf with titles like the 2017 Junior Gold U20 champ and Teen Masters Varsity champ already in her back pocket.  She came in hot her freshman year, racking up Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year, NTCA Rookie of the Year, and Second Team All-American honors.  Then came four more seasons (COVID year being the extra), and with each one came the same result — All-American.  LA Tech has had a couple of two-time All-Americans.  But five times?  That’s a category for Allie only.  The All in Allie is practically short for All-American. 
 
Team – Ranked in the top 25 for 40 consecutive polls (and counting)
LA Tech Bowling got rolling in 2004, but it took a couple of years before they really started making noise.  That first strike came on Dec. 3, 2006, when they broke into the national rankings at No. 13.  Then came a bit of a spare — a few scattered appearances, including a mini-hot streak in 2009-10 and a pair of cameos in 2010-11 — before the pins went quiet.  Enter Matt Nantais.  Hired in 2016, the new head coach wasted no time establishing LA Tech as a national program.  By Dec. 4, 2017, LA Tech was back on the scene at No. 19 — and they’ve never looked back.  Since then, they have been a mainstay in every one of the 39 National Tenpin Coaches Association’s (NTCA) polls, peaking at No. 4 in 2023.  It’s been nothing but strikes since Nantais took over, and this bowling train shows no signs of slowing down.

---

A private memorial service for David Gerald Nitz, 82, will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana. An open visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Officiating the service will be Pastor Larry Earhart.

David was born on July 10, 1942, to Leon Dare Nitz and Wanda Arlue Nitz in Huntington, West Virginia, and passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Minden, Louisiana.

David was a dedicated storyteller, a voice of the game, and a pillar of the Louisiana Tech community. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1977 with a degree in Journalism and devoted 50 years of his life to the very place that shaped him, serving LA Tech with passion, loyalty, and a voice that generations came to know and love.

Over the course of his extraordinary career, David called more than an estimated 4,500 games for LA Tech and over 6,000 minor league games, becoming a legend behind the microphone. He spent 14 seasons as the voice of the Shreveport Captains Minor League Baseball team, calling their journeys through three Texas League championships in 1990, 1991, and 1995. He was honored as Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year in 2009, inducted into the LA Tech Hall of Fame in 2011, and enshrined in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019—testaments to his talent, dedication, and the joy he brought to fans across the state.

Beyond the press box, David’s greatest joy was his family. He married his loving wife, Marlene Nitz, on June 22, 1963, and together they shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and unwavering support.

David will be remembered not only for the games he called, but for the legacy he built through decades of storytelling, mentorship, and heart. His voice may have gone quiet, but his impact echoes on.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Marlene Nitz, and his cherished children, Jamie Oglesby, and spouse, Stephen, Jeff Nitz and wife, Allison, and Jay Nitz and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Chelsea Keith and husband, James Keith, Jr., Corey Oglesby, Jayson Nitz, and wife, Isabella, Caleigh Oglesby, Jesse Nitz, and Joah Nitz; great-grandchildren, Raelyn Williams, and Liam Keith.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Louisiana Tech University Athletics, www.latechsports.com. Flowers may be sent to Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana.

 

---

Billy Jack Talton 
March 16, 1940 – June 18, 2025 
Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Friday, June 27, 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
Service: Temple Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Saturday, June 28, 2025, 2:00 pm 
Cemetery: New Chapel Hill Cemetery, Saturday, June 28, 2025 

Trucy Mae Hudson 
Tuesday 03/06/1928 — Saturday 06/14/2025 
Visitation: Friday 06/27/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 06/28/2025 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Saturday 06/28/2025 Following Service, Ebenezer Cemetery, Parish Road 214, Ruston 

Ronald Lora Foster 
April 28, 1948 – June 12, 2025 
Graveside service: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 3:00 PM, New Ebenezer Cemetery, Castor 

---

by Hanna Singh

The Ruston Fire Department recently completed its first-ever Citizens Fire Academy. This educational program was designed to involve local residents in the day-to-day operations of Ruston’s emergency services.

The program offered demonstrations, behind-the-scenes experiences and personal interaction with the fire and EMS team. Participants experienced a unique and eye-opening look into what it means to serve and protect the community.

The six-week course provided regular citizens with the opportunity to get a one-of-a-kind experience of what it’s like to be a firefighter through demonstrations including EMS and firefighting responsibilities. The program also gathered valuable insight and feedback from community members on how the department can better improve their community service and engagement.

Ruston Fire Department Director of EMS, David Wells, played an important role in organizing and directing the event.

“I thought that the citizen academy was a real success,” Wells said. “We received great positive feedback from the participants, and I think that the fire department members that helped make it a success enjoyed it as well. It was a learning experience for all that were involved and established a connection with citizens of the community that we are proud to serve.

The Citizens Fire Academy was not only held to educate, but also to serve as a bridge between first responders and the community. Participants engaged in practical activities such as spraying fire hoses, learning bleeding control techniques, forcible entry, vehicle extraction and even climbing the department’s towering ladder truck.

Executive Director of Christian Community Action, Stephanie Matthews, shared what she learned while taking part in the inaugural class.

“I spoke with David Wells when he was formulating the idea of having an academy,” Matthews said. “Over a year later, he invited me to be part of the Ruston Citizens Fire Academy. I learned that they receive over 5,400 calls a year, and 4,500 of them are ambulance calls. We learned how to intubate, stop bleeding, hose stream and forcible entry. My favorite of all was climbing the ladder truck.”

At the end of the six-week training academy, participants were recognized with a graduation ceremony, complete with a spaghetti dinner with the crew. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker attended the event and personally thanked the participants for engaging with the department. The unpredictability of emergency work was on full display, even during the dinner, when firefighters were called away mid-celebration to respond to an emergency.

“That meant a lot to witness real life emergencies and how they put them top priority,” Matthews said. “They are truly dedicated to protect and serve us all.”

For many, the experience was not only educational but something of personal interest. Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Darbi Gonsoulin, shared her experience in signing up for the program.

“This was slightly out of my comfort zone when I signed up, but as we continued, this quickly became one of the most fun and educational experiences I’ve ever had,” Gonsoulin said. “Ever since I was a little girl, I found firefighting so interesting. The fact that people willingly ran into fires was just crazy to me. I always wanted to learn more about what they do.”

Each participant left the program with a certificate, a photo with Fire Chief Chris Womack, and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the dedication it takes to work in emergency services. Looking ahead, the department plans to offer the academy annually and develop shorter, targeted courses for local organizations and businesses.

“We hope to build upon this in the future,” Wells said. “The citizen academy was a success because of the participation and contribution of everyone involved.”

 

---

Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

With enhanced programming, record student participation, and new leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation are reaching new heights at Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business.

This academic year saw the hiring of Benjamin McLarty, Ph.D., as the McGehee Eminent Scholar Chair in Entrepreneurship and Jessica George as the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

“Ben’s strong entrepreneurship research portfolio, particularly in family business, and Jessica’s innovative approach to infusing entrepreneurship into our programming are keys to the Center’s success,” said Dr. Chris Martin, dean of the College of Business. “As a core theme of the College, entrepreneurship is woven into nearly every aspect of our academic programming. The reimagining of our Center allows us to build upon this mission-centric objective in a strategic way.”

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation capped its year with the Top Dog New Venture Championship, the University’s premier entrepreneurial pitch competition – one of the oldest in the state. The cross-disciplinary competition provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase innovative business ideas.

“This year, 22 teams competed in the preliminary round, with seven advancing to two distinct tracks,” said George. “The investor track was for market-ready ventures with true investment potential and the journey track featured teams with early-stage ideas. I’m so proud of each of our competitors and enjoyed seeing their ideas come to life.”

First place in the investor track was awarded to Dawson Mulkey, who graduated this spring with a degree in mechanical engineering. Mulkey’s product, FlatFit, is a modular, adhesive-backed power solution that discreetly delivers electricity using flat extension cord technology.

Other competitors in this track included:

• ThermaEdge (Joseph Estopinal, Douglas Graham, Victoria Baglio, Gabriel Stapp) (second place) – a heated or chilled muscle scraper that brings professional-grade recovery and injury prevention to athletes at an affordable price

• CutIR (Trisha Carter, Calvin Idom, Sam Chen, Holden Wells) (third place) – a web platform for performance-centric code optimization using IR and CPU cycle analysis to support sustainable, high-efficiency programming

• Aumnia (Vignan Deshaboina) – an AI powered personal life management system integrating sleep, scheduling, fitness, nutrition, finances, and emotional wellness into one adaptive platform

Ideal College Experience Safety Shuttle took home first place in the journey track. Comprised of recent management grad Bobby Simpson, management major George Breard, and finance major Claire Booth, Team ICE’s concept is a university-partnered student transit service aimed at reducing DUIs by providing safe, reliable transportation.

Additional finalists in the journey track included:

• Pawfect Match (Emma Daniels, Rileigh Langston) (second place) – a Tinder-style pet adoption platform that matches users with pets based on lifestyle and preferences to ensure lasting, informed adoptions

• Wello (Delsean Miles) (third place) – a smart wristband and mobile app that delivers real-time nudges to help users build healthy habits in hydration, movement, and nutrition

Prior to the Top Dog competition, students from the College’s Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship (BUSN 110) course competed in the Top Pup finals, a pitch competition designed to provide early exposure to entrepreneurship and startup methodology.

Under the guidance of Instructor of Marketing Bruce Siegmund, Top Pup teams develop and pitch their ideas, products, or businesses as part of BUSN 110. The winning team from each quarter then competes for the grand prize in the Spring.

“Top Pup prepares participants for more advanced competitions, and provides prize money in the form of scholarships to support next steps to further success,” said Martin. “By starting students earlier in their academic careers with programs like Top Pup, they have more time to refine their product or idea, leading to a greater chance of success. More importantly, it instills an entrepreneurial mindset in our students, empowering them to bring creativity, value, and innovation to any organization they become part of.”

This year’s Top Pup finalists were:

• MediMeal (Hailey Emerson, Danielle Miller, Kristian Pellegrino, Tyler Hart, Zachary Curtis) (first place) – a health-tracking app designed for individuals managing chronic conditions, helping users monitor meals, symptoms, and medications to improve wellness outcome

• Tech Drives (Nathan Fischer, Hunter Harris, Jaquerion Whitaker, Quincy Lewis) (second prize) – a student-run rideshare service offering safe, affordable transportation options tailored to the needs of Louisiana Tech students

• Dawg Dash (Gracie Vidrine, Zoe Tugwell, Ethan Vest, Brogan Walker, AJ Wetzig) (third prize) – a delivery service created by Louisiana Tech students for Louisiana Tech students offering convenient and affordable food and supply delivery across campus

• Magnolia Marketing (Caden French, Matthew Fortune, Ian Franze, Hillarie Gallien) – a social media and marketing firm focused on supporting local and regional businesses through personalized digital strategies

Judges for Top Dog and Top Pup included:

• India Carroll, Executive in Residence, College of Business, Louisiana Tech

• Michael Leachman, Partner and Patent Attorney, Jones Walker LLP

• Chris Martin, Dean, College of Business, Louisiana Tech

• Lucius McGehee, Vice President – Governmental Services, Argent Advisors

• Benjamin McLarty, McGehee Eminent Scholar Chair in Entrepreneurship, Louisiana Tech

• Dave Smith, Executive Director, Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program, BRF

Over $20,000 in prize money was awarded to the Top Dog and Top Pup winning teams thanks to the generosity of Jones Walker LLP, BRF’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program, alumni Matt and Catherine Saurage, and Just Business Giving Society donors.

Other initiatives of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation included Won in One, an elevator pitch competition – with a twist. This year’s Won in One took students into the Wyly Tower elevator to make their one-minute pitches as they rode up to the 16th floor of the iconic building on Tech’s campus.

Winners of Won in One were Anna Claire Masters (first), Patrick Rea (second), and Wesley Bonner (third). Each received scholarship funds as a prize.

The Center also piloted Backed by Business, a cross-campus collaboration between the College of Engineering and Science and the College of Business held during the annual Freshman Design Competition. Business students heard 60-second pitches from 20 engineering teams, then selected their top pick based on market potential.

“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about launching a startup; it’s a way of thinking that’s valuable no matter what industry or career you’re aiming for,” said George. “It teaches you how to spot problems, test your ideas with real people, and communicate your vision clearly. Those skills are something everyone can use. That’s why activities like these are so important; they help students build confidence and creativity that will serve them in any job or field.”

---

The Captain’s Launch (2025)

Photos by Josh McDaniel, Brad Deal

(This is part of a series on the 11 projects designed and built by classes in the Louisiana Tech School of Design at MedCamps of Louisiana.)

MedCamps Executive Director Caleb Seney: The Captain’s Launch was completed just before Memorial Day and was officially broken in earlier this summer.  The Captain’s Launch provides storage and staging for our wheelchair accessible ADA compliant paddleboats.  It allows us to dock the boat and roll a camper in a wheelchair on to it to cruise around the lake.  The project is our first attempt at solar power at camp and just weeks into camp, the project is already paying dividends.  We look forward to hundreds of campers enjoying it this summer and thousands of campers enjoying it in the years to come.

Tech Professor Brad Deal: The Captain’s Launch brought Kendell Webb, an alumna of the 2015 studio, back as an instructor. Using donated steel and houseboat floats, the students built the camp’s second floating structure, an inviting and calming space to help timid campers ease into the water. Floating floors with fixed roofs gave us a few mechanical and structural challenges, but the team met them head on.
We were especially proud of the solar array that powers the boats, an investment that will serve the camp well for years to come.

Program Summary: A new fully accessible paddle boat launch for a summer camp for children with special needs.

Program Statement: The Captain’s Launch transforms a shaded cove into an accessible waterfront haven for campers facing the greatest barriers to boating. Custom-designed floating ramps and slip bumpers let wheelchair users gently roll aboard pedal boats outfitted with remote-controlled trolling motors—empowering participants to enjoy open water without ever leaving the safety of their own wheelchairs.

By repurposing reclaimed houseboat floats, jet dock modules, and 55-gallon drums, the floating deck adapts to changing water levels and revives a once-inactive portion of the lake. Additionally, an adjacent amphitheater was restored, and a new fishing jetty expands on-site programs.

Drawing inspiration from the humble tugboat, this simple, inviting form features a pointed bow in the floor plan, sloping guardrails that echo a hull’s profile, and a gear-storage “bridge” for paddles, life jackets, and supplies. A sturdy steel roof crafted from donated drill stem and rod offers shelter and supports a 1.2 kW solar array that powers evening lighting and recharges boat batteries. Every detail underscores safety and dignity: an expanded-metal ribbon in the deck, paired with a matching linear skylight overhead, marks the moment campers become captains of their own vessels.

Named for the final stanza of William Ernest Henley’s “Invictus,” The Captain’s Launch lives its motto: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” By offering universal access to the water and celebrating each participant’s journey, it invites admiration for both its humble materials and its profound impact.

Project Team:

Professors: Brad Deal, Kendall Webb

Students: Blane Buras, Juan Colorado, Emily Deshotel, Cooper Dewitt, Kaitlyn Edwards, Lauren Ellzey, Ellie Falcon, Connor Fonseca, Lorraine Freeman, Nyaleima Gbondo, Alexander Gibson, Travis Heard, Mitchell Jones, Grace Julius, Kyle Kieronski, Emma Lee, Macy Mclean, Kingston Nicholas, Travis Oehlert, Jacob Rodrigue, Wanda Ryba, Gavin Savois, Ashton Schlotterbeck, Elliott Scott, Phillip Stephens, Rian Woods.

____________________________________

MedCamps programs are completely free of charge to all campers with special needs.  If you would like to support future projects at MedCamps, events, sponsor a campers attendance financially or volunteer please visit www.medcamps.org or email info@medcamps.org for more information.

---

A Shreveport man who allegedly burglarized two vehicles at a Ruston assisted living facility was arrested June 17 by police.

William Bates, 52, was charged by Ruston Police with simple burglary and other charges.

An employee of The Arbor and Terrace of Ruston watched Bates enter the facility’s bus located in the front parking lot. Before officers arrived, the man had moved to the west side of the parking lot into a tan car. Arriving officers found Bates inside a tan Lincoln sedan.

---

Bates told police he had not been in the bus, stating he was just hanging out and did not know anyone from the facility, according to an officer’s report.

Police discovered the sedan belonged to a resident who had no connection to Bates. Officers also discovered the console underneath the steering wheel of the bus had been pulled out with wires exposed and hanging from the dashboard. Near the seat was an open bag with belongings scattered near it was found near the driver’s seat.

Bates did not want to answer further questions and was placed under arrest as he was being placed in a patrol car, he squatted closer to the ground and then fell backward, according to an officer’s report. An officer assisted Bates back to his feet and placed a palm on Bates shoulder to guide him into the rear of the patrol car. Bates swung his shoulder back at the officer pushing his hand away.

Bates was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center two counts of simple burglary of a motor vehicle, simple criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, and resisting an officer.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON, La. — It’s not just the players on the gridiron for the Firmly Founded that will be fresh faces — the coaching staff will be bringing in multiple new staff members to the sidelines, as well, in a what feels to be a rarity for a staff that has mostly had continuity in Head Coach Jerrod Baugh’s tenure.

In all, four coaches and the video coordinator from last year will no longer be on the sidelines. Former defensive coordinator Kyle Williams is now with LSU, former O-Line Coach Josh Mote recently married and has down to South Mississippi, former D-Line David Taylor is now at West Monroe, and former freshman coach and Interim Head Coach for Basketball Corey Deans has taken a head job at a different school. Gregg Hawkins, the former video coordinator, has left the sidelines to pursue his private business.

Even if the churn feels higher than normal, for Baugh, it’s business as usual, as he will lean on his hiring philosophy to keep the program headed in the right direction.

“I tell the kids and I truly believe this football program is bigger than any one player, one coach or one head coach,” Baugh said. “All the coaches that have been through and everybody that has played are a very big part of getting this football program to where it is. But I’ve also told them, when someone leaves, we wish them the best. This is part of life, part of growing up, so we move on as best we can.”

Baugh has already either hired or reshuffled existing coaches into these positions — Marcus Yanez is now the defensive coordinator, Bryan Beck and B.J. Phillips (Ouachita) will co-coach the offensive line, and Anthony Freeman from Bastrop will take over defensive line with Frasier Hogan’s help. While Deans’ spot with the freshmen and cornerbacks has not been filled quite yet, both Colt Dunbar and C.J. Gatlin will take over for Hawkins as video coordinators.

But internal or external, it always comes to hiring the best “man” for the job for Baugh as he is able.

“I just try to find the best men to start with, and then we figure out how it is we can adjust,” Baugh said. “We want them to have things they’re knowledgeable in, the things they’re comfortable in, and to be able to find out what secondary sport they can help with. Of course, sometimes, the open teaching position dictates the whole thing.

“There are a lot of things that go into it, but I think first and foremost, I’m looking for a good person and a good leader for the kids. In interviews, I don’t get on the marker board and ask anyone to draw up plays or this and that. Usually, I’ve already do my background work on them before they even walk in the door — I’ve asked around to guys whose opinions I respect.”

Baugh said that the newcomers are already transitioning in well to the staff and to the school, and they are making things easier on the kids who have lost a position coach.

“These kids are resilient,” Baugh said in conclusion. “They’re sad to see these coaches go, because they’ve built close relationships together. But I remind them, too, that they’re going to graduate one day and leave, and I just can’t quite coaching when you move on. It doesn’t do anything to the relationship that we’ve developed with you based off whether I leave or anyone else. I try to pass that along, and I think they understand whenever a new coach comes in.”

---

by Malcolm Butler

The City of Ruston continues to grow in leaps and bounds.

And on Thursday night, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker and various city officials will be on hand for a entrepreneurial Q&A session at the old Historic Fire Station. The event will start at 6:30 p.m.

“It’s a time for people who are thinking about opening a business or who have a business and they want to talk about expanding … it’s a time to get together with city officials,” said Walker. “We will have planning and zoning there. We will have public works there. I will be there.”

Publicized as “Dream it! Do it! Ruston!”, the event is free and open to the public. The Historic Fire Station is located at 200 East Mississippi Avenue.

“We just want to talk to people who have a dream of opening a business here, and see if we can answer there questions,” said Walker. “We want to encourage them. This is an entrepreneurial-type setting. Hopefully we can give them some answers but also encourage them to open their business.”

---

 (This is part of a series on the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted in Natchitoches on June 28th.)

By SCOOTER HOBBS

Written for the LSWA

 

You just think college athletes do a lot of bouncing around from school to school these days.

It turns out the transfer portal is not just for athletes.

Take Glenn Guilbeau, for instance.

The New Orleans native, Metairie to be exact, was living the portal life long before it became fashionable — long before he ended up covering the constant hop-skip-and-jumping of college athletes.

It is now officially a Hall of Fame journey, as Guilbeau will be inducted in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame during the annual ceremony in Natchitoches.

Few on the journalism side took a longer and more winding road there, although most of it has at least been based in Baton Rouge, covering LSU’s always-wild sports scene.

He first tested the portal in college, attending LSU as a freshman in 1979-80, UNO for a year, then transferring to Missouri, then back to LSU and finally finishing at Mizzou in the summer of 1983. While at LSU, he interned in sports information office under legendary SID Paul Manasseh.

Diploma in hand, the bouncing around began.

It started back in Baton Rouge working for Tiger Rag before moving on to — you’ll need to take a deep breath here — the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser, Slidell Sentry News, Alexandria Town Talk, Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register, back to Baton Rouge at The Advocate, then Gannett Louisiana (based in Baton Rouge) covering LSU for the chain’s numerous state newspapers. Then he became a national columnist at OutKick.com/FOX News, and, finally, now back where it all started at Tiger Rag.

Feel free to exhale.

But that’s a guy who was never afraid to try new jobs, new places, new offices, new bosses.

New challenges.

“It has always been a lot of fun and adventure to leave a job, preferably on your own, and start a new one,” Guilbeau says. “First you get a going-away party, then you’re the new guy. Everything’s fresh.”

There was something to be said for all of them.

Most of them, you’ll note, were based in Baton Rouge, and there is one constant throughout this varied career.

It doesn’t matter where he works or which team or sport he covers, readers are going to get Guilbeau Unfiltered.

It doesn’t always endear him to fans, but he knows no other way.

What he sees is what he’s going to write. What he truly believes is the opinion you’re going to read in his columns.

None of this fluff stuff. Don’t expect any sugar-coating.

He just doesn’t play that silly game, doesn’t tip-toe around any subject, can’t worry about how many feathers he might ruffle in the process.

“I always wanted to be a columnist more than a reporter,” he says. “Writing opinions doesn’t lend itself to long relationships with people at the school or on the team.”

Translation: If the home team messes up, he’s going to point it out. If the coach made a bad game-day decision — and they do on occasion — that coach will read about it in the next day’s newspaper.

Fan-boy message boards can (and sometimes do) torch him all they want.

It might surprise some of them to know that Guilbeau is universally well received by his colleagues in a competitive business with no shortage of egos.

He’s the kind of guy who, learning that a fellow LSU beat writer was hospitalized in Houston at the same time LSU baseball was scheduled to play Rice, alerted Jay Johnson and suggested that the LSU coach pay the patient a visit (he did). 

One of these moons Guilbeau might give a big hoot in Havana that he sometimes gets under his readers’ skin. Or that he’s had some minor feuds with famous coaches and school administrators over the years.

Some, probably most, do get it.

“While I have not always agreed with his opinions, he always backs up his thoughts with viable information,” says Herb Vincent, LSU’s long-time SID who is now an associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.

Coincidentally, Vincent will be inducted the same night as Guilbeau in Natchitoches as this year’s winner of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

Vincent continues: “Glenn does not cater to the fan message boards and he doesn’t shy away from expressing an unpopular opinion.   He has always been thorough in his reporting and is not afraid to ask the tough question.”

The thing is, Guilbeau figures the teams have try-outs for cheerleaders, none of which he signed up for.

“I believe that for every 10 fans who get pissed, there is one who loves it,” Guilbeau says. “LSU fans — more than any other fan base, I believe — have more of an edge to them. They’re always on the brink of turning on the Tigers because LSU historically has had so many ups and downs and football coaching turnover.”

He’ll do it on his own “Guilbeau Time” as “fashionably late” is one of his many endearing trademarks. But he’s never missing anything important, like deadline.

And, often as not, he’ll be one of the last ones in the press box, done with his deadline story but already covering every angle for the next story.

Guilbeau can churn out some copy. He is all about the job.

In fact, even his marriage to the former Michelle Millhollon is your classic love story fit for an old, black-and-white journalism movie, filled with intrigue, coincidence and at least one little white lie.

It was set in Omaha in 2000.

Guilbeau, of course, was covering the Tigers’ baseball team in the College World Series.

Michelle, now communications director for the Louisiana Teachers Retirement Association, at the time was one of the state’s top court reporters with The Advocate (and the news ink still runs through her veins).

She admittedly knows little and cares less about sports but was also up in Omaha from The Advocate’s news side, sending back daily dispatches from the LSU fan and tailgate scene.

She had just recently watched and covered an Angola prison execution for the paper. The editors thought it would be good for her to go cover some lighter fare.

Perfect timing.

Glenn was already smitten with her before both ended up in Omaha. Up there she hung out after hours a little with The Advocate’s sports writers and photographers.

So before the national championship game, Glenn told her about an Irish pub in Omaha’s Old Market area where he, columnist Scott Rabalais and some staffers were going to belly-up for postgame fellowship.

Funny thing, but when she showed up, Glenn was the only one from the Advocate crew there.

It was part of a diabolical Guilbeau plan — Rabalais was even in on it, later corroborating the lie that he and the others had something come up that kept them away.

It worked.

Long story short: While the Tigers won the last of Skip Bertman’s five national  championships — Guilbeau’s most enjoyable team of the multitude he’s covered — it turned out that Glenn and Michelle made a pretty good team themselves.

“We started dating when we got back to Baton Rouge,” Glenn says.

He actually won twice that day — his story from the championship game took a first place in that year’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association contest.

He’s got too many of those plaques to count, a wall full of national awards, too.

Maybe his finest achievement, however, came when The Advocate put out a special section on Bertman’s final season as head coach in 2001.

It was a veritable book in itself, and Guilbeau wrote virtually all of the stories for it.

 It won a national award from the Associated Press Sports Editors.

Maybe it also set up the perfect rebut to those who wonder how he got along with all those coaches.

Years later, when Bertman needed someone to author the book on his fabulous LSU career, he chose Guilbeau to write “Everything Matters in Baseball.”

“Skip was fantastic to work with,” Guilbeau says, “It was like those days when he was in Omaha at practice, just sitting in the dugout talking to reporters while barely watching practice. Fantastic memory for details. Great storyteller.”

And Guilbeau was there to re-tell them.

Like many in his trade, Guilbeau grew up loving sports, but it was more the journalism that kept him going after he got up close and personal to the former.

As a kid in Metairie, he rode his bike to the Saints’ training camp practices, and when his father Baker Guilbeau’s season tickets arrived each year, he devoured the media guide that came with them. He always got fooled into thinking they might be good — was always disappointed and probably never dreamed he’d one day cover the Saints’ Super Bowl victory in 2010. 

He also played youth baseball as a good field/no-hit shortstop. He’s still a life-long Houston Astros fan — not to worry, no fan-boy conflict there since he doesn’t cover them (and stays off their message boards).

But his mother, Carmen, was the librarian at Rummel High School, and even before he was a student there, he was poring over the newspapers she collected — the big-city stuff from New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, etc.

Then one week his dad took him to a series of lectures at Loyola University, where John Jones and the late Marty Mule´, then of the Times-Picayune sports staff, were the speakers.

“I thought it was really cool,” he says, not knowing at the time that one day he’d be joining that duo and other scribes for the informal post-game football warm-downs to hash out games with the LSU coaches.

“I thought it would be fun to cover sports for a living. It wouldn’t be like working … or so I thought.”

Yet it all started with a love affair with the Saints and Astros — both awful during his formative years.

“Consistently, yearly, the worst two teams on the planet,” he remembers.

Perhaps that explains why his prose wanders into the negative from time to time.

“I haven’t talked to a psychologist about this,” he laughs. “But maybe I should.”

________________________________________

Scooter Hobbs has been entertaining and informing sports fans at the Lake Charles American Press since 1979 and as a columnist with Tiger Rag Magazine. Noted across the South for his coverage of LSU football, baseball and men’s basketball, Hobbs has been named LSWA Sportswriter of the Year and Columnist of the Year on numerous occasions. A former LSWA president, he is a 2018 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee as a Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism winner.

 

---

 (This is part of a series on the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted in Natchitoches on June 28th.)

By KEVIN FOOTE

Written for the LSWA

 

Sometimes it’s a good idea to listen to the advice of your older brothers.

There was one particular decision, though, St. Thomas More legendary boys basketball coach Danny Broussard is certainly glad he opted for his gut feeling instead.

After graduating from Meaux High in rural Vermilion Parish in 1977, Broussard’s first thought was to become a coach.

After all, his two older brothers Rickey and Brent were already coaches and the family was always heavily involved in athletics.

“They were kind of trying to talk me out of it,” Broussard said. “They said things like, ‘Oh, it’s tough, you don’t make a whole lot of money and it’s long hours, so why don’t you do something else?’”

So Broussard spent his entire freshman year at then-USL in Lafayette in general studies, hoping to decide what his future would hold along the way.

He thought about being a pharmacist. He always had a big personality and loved talking to and helping people.

“The only problem with that was pharmacy school was in Monroe and I didn’t want to go way up there and also there were too many chemistry courses,” Broussard said. “I was good at math, but not chemistry.”

After the second semester, his advisor came to him demanding a decision.

With no other favorable options in mind, Broussard said, “I’m going to education.”

Indeed, Broussard’s first thought was right on target.

Over four decades later, Broussard is entering the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as one of the nation’s most successful coaches in the history of high school basketball. The Class of 2025 Induction Celebration is June 26-28 in Natchitoches, with event information available at LaSportsHall.com.

It wasn’t that his brothers didn’t think young Danny could coach. In fact, he had already proven he could.

As a senior at Meaux High, Broussard coached the school’s 4H basketball team to a tournament title in Kaplan.

“I found guys at Meaux,” he remembered. “We put together a little team of fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth graders and we won. That’s kind of when I got hooked. I remember thinking, ‘This is fun. I love this.’ Getting them together and preparing them and then seeing the results.”

Two years later, Broussard helped Tommy Picard coach a Babe Ruth youth baseball team to the state championship and before the team’s ace pitcher punctured a lung during the series, “I “I think we could have won regionals.”

Big brother Rickey wasn’t surprised by those early signs of success.

“I never had any doubt that Danny could accomplish great things,” said Rickey, who led Nicholls State’s basketball team to two NCAA Tournament appearances. “There was just something about him.”

Upon graduating college, young Danny faced another big decision.

Incredibly, he got an offer from Hanson Memorial in Franklin to be the program’s head basketball coach. Broussard asked for the weekend to ponder his options, although he was ready to accept the offer.

Once again, his older brother had other ideas. While Danny was communicating with Hanson, a math teacher at this new school St. Thomas More where Rickey was the head basketball coach decided to run the math department at Fatima instead just weeks before the start of school.

So Rickey implored his younger brother to talk to STM’s administration before accepting the Hanson Memorial job.

“They offered me $3-4,000 more a year to be a freshman baseball, basketball and football coach,” Broussard laughed. “That’s a lot of money to a kid right out of college, so I took it.”

As a football coach, things didn’t go very well. The Cougars’ freshman squad went 0-8 and didn’t score a point, but he showed promise in basketball.

Amazingly, another big decision was right around the corner.

Rickey’s assistant coach from Fatima, Stephen Rees, decided to head to medical school, so now Danny moved into the spot as the Cougars’ top basketball assistant.

Then early in year two, Rickey got a call from Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Bobby Paschal with an offer to join his staff. He accepted.

“I remember asking Rickey, ‘So who is going to coach St. Thomas More?’ and he said, ‘You are.’”

Naturally, the 22-year-old’s stomach got real tight in a hurry, but big brother knew he was doing.

“I had no doubt in my mind that he could do it,” Rickey said. “The only question was, would they give him the job? There was a contingent of people (on the STM board) that wanted to go after a coach from New Orleans. I had to go to the board.

“I told them, ‘Just give him a shot. He knows all the plays and the players like him.’”

Those early nerves elevated to full-blown panic one half into Broussard’s first game as head coach. Trailing Abbeville 23-20 at half, Broussard remembers thinking, ‘This is going to be a short career. They might say, ‘You can’t handle this.’”

So after a halftime speech of yelling out adjustments, star guard Al Fadaol walked by Broussard on the way out of the locker room and says, “Don’t worry coach, I got this for you.”

He was right. Fadaol scored 22 points to complement 21 from John Simpson on the way to a 60-44 win over the Wildcats.

“Fadaol saved my job,” Broussard now laughs.

Fast-forward 41 years and Broussard ranks as the No. 6 coach nationally in wins with 1,162 – that’s 171 wins from being the winningest coach ever. He’s led the Cougars to six state championships, five state runners-up, 20 Top 28 appearances, 27 district championships and 18 30-win seasons.

“It’s a testament to his longevity and consistency and success,” former player Lyle Mouton said of Broussard’s Hall of Fame induction. “The way he tells it, he became a coach by default. I guess sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. He has proven it was a great decision and it wasn’t luck.

“You don’t do it for this long with so much success if it was just luck all the way.”

After winning the district championship that first year as head coach, Broussard still figured the school’s administration would hire a more experienced coach to replace him.

 “I’ve been very fortunate. I was in the right place at the right time,” he said.

Any remaining doubters were proven wrong when Broussard led the Cougars to the state championship in 1986.

“By that year, I had settled into my own,” Broussard said. “I could see the program developing.”

The young coach had begun to mix all of his influences.

He had the basketball knowledge from his brother’s mentor, Rodney Ledoux in Breaux Bridge. He utilized the drill sergeant approach to fundamentals from Rickey and blended that with the more player-friendly demeanor of Frank Hardy, who coached the youngest Broussard his final two seasons at Meaux.

“Rickey sold me on the importance of fundamentals that first year,” Broussard said. “I’d see us play some really athletic teams, but I saw them not being fundamentally sound and making a lot of mistakes. When we wouldn’t make those mistakes at the end of games, I saw that we’d win those games.

“But I also saw that some of the lessons I learned from coach Hardy worked for me too.”

By 1987, the Cougars were ranked No. 21 nationally in the USA Today poll, led by Mouton, the future LSU basketball and baseball player, and future UL Lafayette point guard Eric Mouton.

Despite some immediate success at such an early age, Broussard made another significant decision that greatly influenced his career. He knew deep down he didn’t know everything about being a basketball coach.

As a result, he relentlessly attended clinics and did whatever he could to learn more about his profession.

“I’d like to think that we just outwork people,” Broussard said. “I can name five guys right now that can run circles around me coaching-wise. I’m talking about awesome coaches. Those guys motivated me to work hard and go to clinics and learn as much as I could about this game.”

In fact, years after Broussard had established himself as one of the state’s top coaches, former assistant coach Mike Patin got a call from Broussard to have lunch with him and Roy Petitfils to discuss a matter.

Broussard had gotten multiple technical fouls and even got ejected from a state tournament game and he wanted to investigate that situation.

“He told us, ‘I’ve got to get better at this. I’ve got to get a better handle on this. What can I do?” said Patin, who coached with Broussard from 1988-90. “He was both vulnerable and really sincere. We gave him some practice suggestions. We were very frank with him and he followed back up with us. I was impressed to no end with that.

“He said, ‘I don’t want to throw my passion away, but some of my passion is getting in the way.’”

Indeed, that passion for the game, his team, his school and the relationship with his players is what has helped Broussard overcome all obstacles during his career.

“His drive is otherworldly,” Patin said.

“In the gym, he has the same energy level,” said assistant coach Wesley Cortese, who played for Broussard before being his assistant for 15 years. “He brings energy every day. When I’m having low energy days, he’s like, ‘Hey, let’s go. It’s time to go to work.’ He brings that energy and he expects that energy.”

Broussard’s mind is always moving, very rarely slows down, especially during the basketball season.

“Neither one of us sleep, but we’ll text each other from 5 a.m. until midnight some days,” Cortese said.

Broussard’s passion ranges into other areas as well, though. He’s long been a friend of St. Thomas More’s special needs programs.

“That’s who Danny is,” Patin said. “I remind him of that. Sure, he can chase the wins and all of that is important, but to me, the biggest thing is the stories, the relationships he has with so many people.

“You go to a St. Thomas More basketball game and you’re going to see people who aren’t necessarily basketball fans. They’re Danny fans because of the way he’s treated, inspired and motivated them.”

Still, Broussard’s actual glory years on the floor were yet to come.

Finally in 2013, Trey Touchet sparked a comeback win over the Bryce Washington-led St. Augustine Purple Knights and that second state title has been followed by four more since then.

For anyone doubting Broussard’s longevity, many believe this past season might have been the best coaching job of his career. With his leading scorer at 10 points a game, Broussard gave the 2024-25 Cougars a challenge at the beginning of the season.

“I told the kids that we had to guard better than any team in the history of St. Thomas More and that’s what they did,” Broussard said. “What a perfect example of buying into what the team needs.”

No one who knows Broussard expects him to slow down any time soon.

One year after being briefly benched by triple bypass surgery, Broussard guided his 2025 Cougars to the state championship game and then led the Cougars’ coaching staff to a victory coaching the West All-Stars in the McDonald’s All-American game in New York.

“This is one great year for Danny Broussard,” Lyle Mouton laughed.

____________________________

Kevin Foote, a lifelong Lafayette resident, has been a multi-media sports journalist for nearly as long as Danny Broussard has coached at STM. He hosts a daily sports talk radio show and writes for the Acadiana Advocate. He and Broussard have done colorful Facebook Live commentary on playoff games involving their beloved New Orleans Saints and Houston Astros.

---

A suspected hit-and-run driver who fled the scene of a crash on the Louisiana Tech campus was apprehended hours later at a southeast Ruston residence.

James Lamar Jackson, 56, was arrested about 2 a.m. June 18 following a crash on Tech Drive at about 9:30 p.m. June 17 on Tech Drive.

A witness reported seeing a white Toyota Camry leaving the scene of the crash at Tech Drive and Alabama Avenue. Louisiana Tech Police was able to review surveillance video that showed the vehicle leaving the scene. Jackson was seen getting out of the vehicle on Railroad Avenue, examining the damage to the vehicle and leaving the campus by driving down a one-way street the wrong way.

---

The damaged Camry was later found on Sage Court off South Farmerville Street. With the assistance of Ruston Police, Jackson was identified as the driver.

Jackson told officers that he was the driver, but downplayed the damage while denying fleeing the scene.

Jackson was arrested by Tech Police and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center charged with reckless operation of a vehicle and hit and run driving.

Jackson’s bail was set at $2,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

By Doug Strickel

I had a speaking engagement in Indianapolis earlier this week.  While the early morning flight out of Monroe to Dallas to get my connecting flight disrupts my normal routine, it always provides opportunity.  The opportunity is to observe and engage. 

With all the divisive talk these days, I still observed plenty of kind gestures that had nothing to do with political, religious, or social preferences.  These acts were purely acts of random kindness from one stranger to another. 

With that in mind, as I boarded my second flight for the day, I was looking for my opportunity.  I made my way toward the rear of the plane to find my aisle seat.  Like many other flights, opportunity found me. 

---

A mother and her young son approached my aisle.  He was going to be in the middle seat next to me, and she was going to be in the middle seat behind us.  He was apprehensive about being separated from his mom. I am not sure if he wanted to have her next to him or just didn’t want to sit between me and the big guy next to the window.

I offered up my seat and took her middle seat a row back.  I didn’t think anyone even noticed.  However, a flight attendant came over and offered to help me find an aisle seat if I was interested.  I thankfully declined.  The gesture would seem a little shallow if I got an upgrade! 

The ride was just as expected.  Two hours in the middle seat and uncomfortable.  It was a perfect reminder of what I need to do more.  The mother and her young son were of middle eastern descent.  I have no idea where they were from, but they needed to be together.  Twenty minutes into the flight, I could see him with his head on her shoulder as they watched the movie Wicked together. 

It would be easy for them to go unnoticed.  They weren’t drawing attention to themselves.  Just a mother and young son boarding a plane. 

I am reminded of Jesus’s first miracle.  He turned water into wine at a wedding, but the only people that saw the miracle were the servants.  When Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed his birth to the shepherds working the night shift.  Jesus even said that when we do for the least of these, that we do it for him.

I need to slow down and be more observant.  Maybe we all do.  A small act of kindness or sacrifice may mean the world to someone that’s hurting, lonely, or afraid.  We have no idea what someone else may be going through at any given time.

While at the DFW airport, with a lengthy delay, I stood and just watched people pass by not knowing what they may be going through.  I think that delay reminded me to be sensitive to opportunities that come my way. 

I don’t know how that mother and little boy did the rest of the day, but at least they were together on a bumpy flight to Indianapolis watching a movie together!

As much as I don’t like the middle seat, I was just fine. 

Doug provides professional speaking and coaching services to organizations and individuals.  Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build a team culture, feel free to reach out to Doug at  doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

---

---

Click the three bars in the bottom corner and select “With Radar” to see current precipitation and storms in your area.

Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Thursday, June 26
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
2 p.m.: Tween Time at Lincoln Parish Library Community Room (Ages 9 and up)
4 p.m.: 4-H Nutrition Class for teens (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
5-6 p.m.: 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry will host a free meal in Dubach at the Community Center on the corner of Smith Street and 167 North 
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: Yoga at Lincoln Parish Library Events Center
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)

---

Friday, June 27
10 a.m.: Therapy Dog storytime special (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)

Saturday, June 28
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2 p.m.: Russ-Town Band Concert (Howard Auditorium, Louisiana Tech)
3-5 p.m.: Puzzle swap (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)

Sunday, June 29
2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)

Monday, June 30
10 a.m.: Senior Health (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Community Room)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
4 p.m.: Story hour at Lincoln Parish Library (Events Center)
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, July 1
10 a.m.: Harvey Rabbit and Friends (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
2 p.m.: Crafternoon at Lincoln Parish Library Community Room (Ages 5 and up)
4 p.m.: Color wheel wreath for teens (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.)
6 p.m.: Fitness class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

Wednesday, July 2
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome

Thursday, July 3
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: Yoga at Lincoln Parish Library Events Center
8:30 p.m.: Temple Baptist Church fireworks

Friday, July 4
Independence Day

Saturday, July 5
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m.: Fighting Gaming Community (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Community Room)

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.