By T. Scott Boatright
As scores of people flocked to Origin Bank’s downtown branch on Thursday to join in on Bill Cox’s 90th birthday celebration, there was a common denominator talking about the “magic” behind what makes him so special — his selfless service to all.
There aren’t too many people in Ruston that Cox hasn’t served in one way or another over the years, whether it was as owner and operator of Cox’s Shell Station from 1960 – 1984, or later serving as Louisiana Tech University’s Director of Athletic Promotions and Director of Athletic Facilities.
Even after retiring from Tech, Cox continued working at Cedar Creek School from 1996-2007.
And many of those friends of Cox have eaten servings of his jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice and such, and have been entertained by his love of magic tricks.
But it’s the way Cox has served his community, including Temple Baptist Church, where Cox is a deacon, that people seem to admire the most about Ruston’s “magic man.”
“He’s always been there to serve,” said former Louisiana Tech Sports Information Director Keith Prince. “That’s the most magical part about him. It’s who he is. He’s kind of been ‘the Spirit of Tech’ to me.”
Sandra Kane worked with Cox for years in Tech’s athletics department and said it’s his generosity that makes him special.
“He’s kind, he’s funny, and he’s just so generous,” she said. “One time he helped my mother with car trouble, and when he was done, she asked him how much she owed, and he said ‘nothing.’ He would never take any money. He just wanted to help people.”
Kane’s husband, former Tech baseball coach Mike Kane, echoed his wife’s sentiments.
“Everybody says the same thing about him,” he said. “He’s one of the most giving people there is and has done something for pretty much everybody.”
Glenn Theis became good friends with Cox while playing semipro baseball with Cox’s son.
“He never stops working trying to serve other people,” Theis said. “Whether it’s cooking for somebody or coaching a baseball team every week, he never stops helping other people with anything they need.
“That includes just talking to people when they need someone to listen. It includes making them laugh with his jokes and amazing them with his magic tricks. He really is one of a kind, and I’m just glad to not only know him but to be able to have the friendship I have with him. He is a special man.”
Aug. 2 is Cox’s actual birthday — “the 2th of August,” he joked. And he’s seen a lot of change all his years in Ruston.
But Cox said it wasn’t always that way.
“It didn’t change any the first 30 to 40 years I was here,” Cox said. “Then something happened. Maybe something in the water, I don’t know. But I haven’t seen anything close to the way Ruston has grown the past 20 to 30. It’s been incredible watching it all happen around me over the years.”
Another change that Cox said he is thrilled about is the recent news that LA Tech athletics is returning to the Sun Belt to share the conference with longtime rivals such as Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State.”
“It’s going to be the best thing that ever happened to us,” Cox said. “We had growing pains, but we never should have left those regional rivalries. All the old Southland Conference rivals. And teams like (current Sun Belt) Southern Miss and Troy fit perfectly into being Tech rivals. It’s going to be great.
“Those are the kinds of games that will pack the stands like Tech hasn’t seen in years. Those are the games people here in Ruston want to see — the games that most of the Tech fanbase want to see. When we play ULM, or Lafayette, whether it’s here or there, it’s going to be a packed house. Being able to get back to that is going to be special.”
Cox remembers a time Tech wanted to build even bigger rivalries.
“We had growing pains,” Cox said. “When (legendary Tech football coach Joe Aillet) was winding down, Tulane was getting out (of the SEC) and he wanted us in the Southeastern Conference. And we could have gotten in at that point. And that’s what we should have done.
“But it didn’t happen with the powers that be. I have been so close to Tech for so many years, it just hurts me to realize that we missed the boat when we had the chance. In the early ’70s, we could have played with anybody. I had the privilege of recruiting Tech athletes for 42-43 years. I’d cook for them and do some magic tricks. But we had a big chance back in the ’60s that we didn’t take advantage of. I’m just glad we took advantage of the Sun Belt chance this time.”
Cox relished all the friends who stopped by to wish him a happy birthday and rehash old memories and good times and said he appreciated the celebration put on for him.
“It’s been a hoot,” Cox said. “It’s been fun.”
