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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Jess Curtis is bullish on the future of Natchitoches Central’s long-struggling football program.

But he won’t have a hand in it. Just 14 months after stunning the state’s prep football circles by departing the small school football powerhouse he built in his hometown of Many, Curtis told NCHS players Thursday he was leaving to take over the rising Southside High School program in rapidly-growing Youngsville, on the outskirts of Lafayette.

After developing Southside’s football team in its first seven seasons of the school’s existence, and leading the Sharks to a second-round playoff appearance last fall on the heels of a quarterfinal trip in 2022, Josh
Fontenot resigned to join the Lafayette Parish school system administrative staff, creating the coaching opening. A new football stadium at the school is planned soon, something that NCHS has craved for its campus.

For Curtis, recently divorced, the opening down south presented a life-changing opportunity.

 

“It’s been a year of transition, and I’m real serious with a woman down in that area,” he said. “That job came open, and that is an intriguing opportunity. Youngsville is exploding. That school’s probably going to be one of the biggest in the state.

“It was a tough deal telling these kids (at NCHS) today,” said Curtis. “They have given me everything. The administration, (principal) Micah (Coleman) and (athletic director) Dean (Johnson), they’ve given me everything. They’ve looked at me as their answer. But I’ve got to take care of me, too, and it’s the right move for me, at the right time. It is a new start in my life. I think I’ll be happy there.

“Natchitoches is going to move quick. There’s some good possibilities out there, and they’re going to get somebody good. The guys here have learned how to work and compete. We did some good things, and we were close to a few more wins, a point here and a couple points there,” said Curtis, whose
Chiefs finished 2-8 on the field, 3-7 officially after a postseason forfeit from Opelousas.

“It’s a good place, and there’s so much potential here. I hope they get somebody to dig in here, and the worm will turn. They have everything they need to succeed here. Everything. The kids, the people, the desire, the commitment.”

Coleman, a member of the LHSAA’s executive committee, was at a conference in south Louisiana. Natchitoches Parish schools superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi said Coleman and Johnson will run the search for the next NCHS coach, and said he will not be “deeply involved.”

“I would like to thank Coach Curtis for his time at NCHS and wish him the best on his next adventure,” said Eloi in a statement. “In his brief time at NCHS, Coach Curtis has brought an excitement and passion for Chief Football that had been missing from our community. The staff of NCHS and I appreciate
his contributions to our students and school.

“I look forward to the next chapter of Chief Football and finding the right coach, someone dedicated to Natchitoches and the Chiefs. Our student athletes deserve nothing less.”

It will be the third head coach in as many seasons for the school, which parted ways with third-year coach James Wilkerson after a 3-7 season in 2022 on the heels of a 7-4 campaign a year earlier, the school’s best record this century. Wilkerson was a key part of Calvary Baptist’s staff last fall as the Cavs won a state championship.

Curtis won three state titles while reaching state championship games six times in his last nine seasons at Class 2A Many. He was 142-32 (.816) in 13 seasons, winning 10 consecutive district titles and finishing as state finalists in 2013, 2019 and 2021 while winning the state title in 2014, 2020 and 2022.

His only Chiefs’ team narrowly missed District 1-5A wins at Benton, and at home in one-point losses to Haughton and Parkway. Just a couple of months after taking over at NCHS, Curtis interviewed for a high-profile vacancy at one of the state’s premiere prep programs, West Monroe, and was reportedly in the mix of two or three finalists.

NCHS football is poised for a breakthrough, said Supt. Eloi, who cited a preseason fundraising dinner and rally that drew about 800 people to the Natchitoches Events Center.

“You look at what’s going on at Central right now: softball’s winning again, baseball’s No. 1 in the state (power rankings), boys basketball just played for the state championship, girls basketball got to the quarterfinals,” he said. “Everything is on fire in a good way.

“The biggest thing for us is someone who wants to be committed to Natchitoches,” Eloi said, “who wants to lay roots here and develop something. We have the athletes. It’s been proven in all these other sports.

“I do think it’s more difficult to do it in football. I think it can be done here when we find the right person who fits the culture and is committed to Natchitoches,” said Eloi.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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There is a new place for Natchitoches’ four-legged residents and their owners to have fun together. Parc Natchitoches’ Dog Park officially opened Thursday, March 14 with a ribbon cutting presided over by Mayor Williams, Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce president Laura Lyles, and representatives from their Natchitoches Young Professionals program. The NYP members have pledged $15,000.00 over the next three years for the park’s upkeep.

The dog park, constructed at a cost of around $200,000.00 funded by the CARES Act, consists of two fenced areas for dogs of different sizes. The area also features water stations and waste stations. A grant from Louisiana Beautiful funded trashcans. There is also a concrete pad for a future gazebo.

After the ribbon cutting, the crowd of pet lovers enjoyed refreshments. Natchitoches residents Claire Prymus and her boxer Beaux were the first official guests of the Parc Natchitoches Dog Park.

Note: The construction cost to date is around $140,000, spread out over multiple fiscal years. Also, the funding source is not the CARES Act. The funding source is the City’s budget. We have line items associated with the dog park as well as line items that will fund the continued development of the park in the future. For example, you stated accurately that there is a concrete pad for a future gazebo. That concrete work was budgeted for in one fiscal year. The gazebos are a part of our 2024-2025 budget. We have been thoughtful in our planning and consistent with our strategy of phasing in components of the dog park over time.

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The Natchitoches Central softball team is all alone in first place after four games in District 1-5A, trying to defend the district championship under new coach Jeramie Hale.

The Lady Chiefs beat the other league leader, Haughton, 7-4 on Thursday at NCHS, dropping the visitors to 3-1 in the loop. Skylar Braxton’s three-run homer provided the winning margin.

Natchitoches Central got on the board in its first at-bat after an error scored two runs, and Mallory Lacour grounded out, scoring another.

Sydney Terrell’s sacrifice fly extended the Lady Chiefs lead to 4-0 in the second inning.

Braxton homered to left field in the fifth to provide the winning margin.

Terrell was the winning pitcher, allowing six hits and four runs while going the distance, striking out five and walking two.

Charlee Prothro, who has family locally, started for Haughton and surrendered two hits and four runs (but just one earned) over two innings.

Breanna Hale showed the depth of the NCHS lineup, leading with two hits in three at bats from the ninth spot in the batting order.

Prothro led Haughton with two RBI from the eight spot in the Lady Bucs’ lineup.

Next up for the Lady Chiefs (9-9 overall) is a non-district rematch at state small school power Calvary Baptist Academy on Saturday. CBA took the first contest of the season.

BASEBALL: The NCHS Chiefs, owning the No. 1 spot in the LHSAA’s Division I Non-Select power rankings through 13 games, had some pitching struggles Thursday in their District 1-5A opener and fell 13-3 at Benton. The Tigers drew nine walks. The teams meet again at Chad Hargis Field Saturday at 1.

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We are in the midst of early voting, and as we stand on the brink of this pivotal moment of potential change in our city’s administration, I am humbled and honored to have embarked on this journey with each and every one of you. Throughout this campaign, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with so many wonderful residents across our entire city. We’ve shared our hopes, our dreams, and our aspirations for a better tomorrow. Now, as the election draws near, I am filled with a profound sense of duty and determination to bring those dreams to fruition.

I believe in the boundless potential of our city and in the power of our collective will to shape its future. It’s been thrilling to witness the fulfillment of the plans I tirelessly worked on during my previous term as Mayor come to fruition. From cutting ribbons to enhance the beauty of our community and improve the lives of our citizens, to long-awaited upgrades to our infrastructure, it’s been incredibly fulfilling. Witnessing these improvements that have taken nearly three years after leaving office to implement, only fuels my determination to serve as your Mayor once again. We can’t afford to wait any longer; we’re just scratching the surface of the essential changes needed in our infrastructure, economy, and crime prevention efforts. Waiting three years for these improvements has wasted valuable time. Together, we have the opportunity to pave a way towards prosperity, equity, and unity. But to seize that opportunity, we must stand together and make our voices heard at the ballot box.

I offer myself as a servant leader, dedicated to the common good and committed to serving every neighborhood, every community, and every resident of our city. I bring to this role a vision for progress, a plan for action, and a steadfast resolve to confront the challenges that lie ahead.

Throughout my campaign to be re-elected as your Mayor, we hope you have seen that both myself and my campaign team have upheld the integrity of my character. While I’ve questioned the current Mayor and his team regarding the validity of their claimed accomplishments due to lack of tangible evidence, I have not resorted to attacking him or his character. I’ve opted to run a clean and considerate campaign, recognizing that our citizens have more pressing concerns in their daily lives than political bickering, mudslinging and trying to dig to find truth behind words. I’m proud of my eight years as your former Mayor. Being elected twice is a testament to the hard work I put into not just identifying, but actively implementing solutions to our community’s challenges. Choosing the next Mayor is a weighty decision, and we understand that. It’s crucial that the path forward is clear and tangible to each and every one of our Citizens.

If I did not meet with you during this campaign, I sincerely apologize. Both myself and my team have tried to diligently canvass our entire community to ensure every voice feels heard. I humbly ask for your support, your trust, and your vote to lead our city forward. Together, let’s build a future where opportunity knows no bounds, where justice prevails, and where the promise of our city shines bright for all to see.

So, I ask for your vote, not just for me, but for the vision we share and the future we can create together. Thank you for your faith in me, and may we go forward into tomorrow with hope, courage, and determination.

With deepest gratitude,

Lee Posey, #26
Candidate for Mayor of Natchitoches

 

Why wait to vote?

Early Voting is open today and tomorrow, Saturday March 16th, until 6pm

Election Day is March 23rd

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NCHS, Lakeview and the Natchitoches Parish Technical & Career Center held a FAFSA Night at their campuses, Thursday, March 14. The event was designed to assist families who needed help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a necessary step for obtaining Pell Grants, scholarships, and other financial aid. Counselors from Carrer Compass, a statewide initiative designed to remove roadblocks to student success after high school, were on hand to explain financial aid and assist families with completing the form. Whether college, the workforce, or career training, Career Compass helps students develop a plan for their life after graduation. Since its founding in 2006, Career Compass has assisted 140,000 students in Louisiana high schools. There are 110 counselors in Louisiana and 8 in Natchitoches parish.

Career Compass counselors meet each high school senior at least twice. They help the student develop his or her vision for life after graduation, in whatever form that may take.

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The Natchitoches Parish Soil and Water Conservation District held its annual plant and tree sale March 13-14 in Natchitoches. The two-day sale is intended to raise funds for the district’s conservation efforts. The popular sale, a tradition among area green thumbs for over 12 years, raised over $5,000.00 last year.

Forestry students and instructors from the Huey P. Long Campus of the Central Louisiana Technical and Community College in Winnfield returned for a second year of volunteering their services at the sale.

The Natchitoches SWCD was established in 1980 and works with local landowners to conserve their natural resources from threats such as erosion and top soil loss. They also work to assist landowners with controlling feral hogs. Feral hogs are an invasive species that can cause severe damage to crops, water quality and wildlife if left unchecked.

The Natchitoches SWCD plant and tree sale is a great way for local gardeners to obtain a variety of small trees and other plants while at the same time helping keep our community’s natural resources in top shape.

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To those who have already placed their votes during the early voting period, or by mail – I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Taking the time to vote your voice is the only way we see change in our day to day lives.

For those who have not voted yet, and may still be considering who deserves your vote, I hope the following will assist you in your decision.

A large percentage of citizens in our community do not know what a Councilman-at-Large is. They’ve never heard of the position, and they don’t even know the name of the person who currently holds the position. This concerns me greatly.

I’m concerned because this position is a critical position FOR the citizens of Natchitoches. If the position is held by the correct person, and is performed effectively, the Councilman-at-Large is the MAIN voice for the concerns of EACH and EVERY citizen in the community. He/She is responsible to look out for their best interest, to ensure that they have what they deserve to experience quality of life. The Councilman-at-Large doesn’t have to manage employees, manage day to day business or worry about budgets. The position is designed to manage the needs of the citizens, maintain awareness of what is happening in the City and to be a liaison between City management and the citizens themselves.

I’ve dedicated decades to serving the public, starting with the Boy Scouts, then the Military, and various non-profit civic service organizations. The military taught me discipline, like bouncing back after facing challenges. When I say I can take a door slamming in my face and get right back at it – that’s where I learned it – in boot camp. I mention this because I truly believe I’ve spent a lifetime preparing to be the best public servant for this community.

I see the need for YOU to be heard, I see the need for YOUR rights to be protected, I see the need to have someone who will courageously and boldly fight for YOU. I see the need for each of you to have a person in this position who owns it with every bit of passion in his soul. I see the need to have someone in this position who isn’t afraid to say NO when it is necessary and only says yes when it’s truly in your best interest. I see the need to have someone in this position who will challenge the council to remember the rights of every person in this community no matter their circumstances, choices, or financial situation.

You have the ability to vote for someone who holds every one of the qualities listed above, me, Harold Bayonne #33, candidate for Councilman-at-Large. I will serve the citizens of this community courageously and boldly. I will be accessible. You will know my name, my face, my voice and my passion for this City. I will work tirelessly, dedicating myself to ensuring each of my fellow citizens is experiencing the quality of life they deserve. 

As future Councilman-at-Large, I am already working towards your best interest; educating myself on how to create an ordinance that states that the Citizens of Natchitoches must be involved in the voting of an increase to their Utilities. We must not permit taxation without representation. Whether you have the means or not, your pocketbook should not be touched without your permission.

We Can Do Better.

Vote Harold Bayonne, #33 for Councilman-at-Large. I look forward to humbly and honorably serving this community.

Paid for by the Harold Bayonne Campaign

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State of Purpose:
The Executive Director serves as the chief administrator, providing leadership to staff and directing the CVB operation in order to develop maximum potential of convention and visitor business, thereby bringing the greatest possible economic benefit to the Natchitoches area.

Reports to:  Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission board members.

Degree of Supervision:  Monthly review by NPTC Board

Supervision Exercised: Supervises all NPTC employees

Location of Job: Natchitoches Visitors Center, 780 Front Street, Ste 100.

Qualifications:
Graduate of an accredited four year college in the field of Business, Marketing and Public Relations, Hospitality Management or any combination of education and experience to equal five years related experience.

Special Knowledge:
Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices in convention and tourism planning  services. Considerable knowledge in the fields to advertising, marketing, public relations, business administration, which includes but not limited to, personnel management, principles of accounting, and excellent communication skills. Must possess the ability to exercise initiative, judgment, tact, and, diplomacy in a wide variety of public situations. Position requires frequent travel.

Submit to:  Arlene Gould director@natchitoches.com

780 Front Street, Suite 100
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Telephone: 1-800-259-1714
Fax: 1-318-352-2415

DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

• Provide administrative and professional assistance to the Chairman and Commissioners along with the staff of the Tourist Commission and ensure that the board complies with all local, parish, state and/or federal laws and regulations
• Responsible for hiring, termination and training all staff and volunteers.
• Preparation of the annual budget and management of Commission business within the budget.
• Preparation of annual marketing/advertising plan with all advertising potentials outlined in plan.
• Track and prepare all financial data for annual audit or Compilation of Finances by Accounting Firm.
• Represent Natchitoches Parish to national and international audiences by attending consumer and trade shows along with Groups & Tourism Sales Manager.
• Oversee press releases and press packets for local, regional and national media regarding activities along with Marketing & Communications Manager.
• Advise tourism partners with launching festivals, new events and ongoing events with consulting, publicity and advertising.
• Host local, national and international travel writers along with familiarization tours for group tour leaders along with Marketing & Communications Manager.
• Create publicity materials and brochures for distribution to guests, group tour leaders, retirees and newcomer inquiries.
• Work closely with advertising agency to create ads for regional publications in a timely manner.
• Assist Marketing & Communications Manager with creating story ideas and articles for both regional and national publications.
• Attend meetings of city/parish stakeholders such as City, Chamber of Commerce, Parish Council, HDBA, NHDDC, CRNHA, Christmas Festival and several others including statewide, LTA and LACVB, and regional tourism associations, El Camino Real, No Man’s Land, Holiday Trail of Lights, councils and committees and others.
• Maintain a working relationship with the NSU hospitality program and university students for internships and other assistance to the Commission.
• Assist Groups & Tourism Sales Manager to consult and advise conference meeting holders and large groups visiting Natchitoches.
• Responsible for overseeing meeting notices, recording of minutes, transcribing and typing monthly board minutes, filing, letter writing and other necessary items for a small business office and Executive Director.
• Oversee that all inquiries from potential visitors and tour groups are acknowledged immediately.
• Assist Marketing & Communications Manager with updating websites, social media information with current events and festivals.
• Assist with daily operations as necessary supervising the Travel Counselors and Visitor Center.
• Follow the directions and seek counsel of the Chairman of the Board of Natchitoches Parish Tourism Commission, as the immediate supervisor, between Board Meetings.
• Ensure no employees, nor the Executive Director; conduct any personal business on Tourist Commission property, during working hours or with Tourist Commission assets.

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Pacey the Armadillo may not have been in the original Steel Magnolia cast, but you’re sure to see him on March 16^th for the 6^th Annual Steel Magnolia Run. Grab your friends and move your bodies for a good cause. Your participation in the race supports cancer treatment right here in Natchitoches. There is no better way to kick off your St. Patrick’s Day Weekend than strolling along the beautiful Cane River. Sign up today and be a part of making a difference in the community. Steel Magnolia Run (runsignup.com)

The Steel Magnolia Run supports the efforts of the NRMC Foundation and proceeds support the NRMC Cancer Center initiatives. Over the years, our participants, sponsors, and volunteers have played an instrumental role in improving the health and well being of our community and for that we are grateful. Run, walk, or jog it is up to you. Lace up your running shoes and join us March 16 in downtown Natchitoches.

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Position: Airport Manager

Description: Directs, Coordinates and Supervises all day to day operations and activities related to the Natchitoches Regional Airport.

Qualifications: Broad knowledge of such fields as Accounting, Marketing, Business Administration,  Finance, etc. Equivalent to a four-year College degree, Plus 5 years related Airport Management experience and/or training.

Contact: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department, 750 Second St. or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches LA 71458-0037.

Applications may be picked up at the Event Center or you can download an application at www.natchitochesla.gov and turn into Human Resources at the Event Center when complete.

Deadline to Apply: March 15th, 2024

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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The NPJ conducted a poll between Monday, February 26, 2024 and concluded the poll on March 1, 2024  at 7 p.m. The purpose of this poll is to gain insight to our readers’ opinions regarding the ELECTRICAL RATE INCREASE to the City of Natchitoches Electric users.

Electric Rate Poll

Total Responses: 628

Question:
In your Opinion – Was the 15% increase last year in electrical cost to the city clients needed?

Yes:  50  7.96%

No:  578  92.04%

Question:
In your Opinion – Who was ultimately responsible for the 15% increase last year in electrical cost to the city clients?

Mayor Ronnie Williams: 465  74.04%
The City Council:  124  19.75%
The Voters of Natchitoches:  39  6.21%

Question:
Have you been on the Past Due list in the last year since the 15% increase in electrical cost on your City Electrical bill?

Yes: 310  49.36%
No: 318  50.64%

Question:
Have you been on the CUT OFF list in the last year since the 15% increase in electrical cost on your City Electrical bill?

Yes: 289  46.02%
No: 339  53.98%

Question:
Do you need assistance with your electrical bill?

Yes: 342  54.20%
No: 286  45.80%

NOTE:  This poll was to gain insight among the readership of the Parish Journal. This is simply a snapshot-in-time of the opinions of our readership. This is NOT a scientific poll.

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Notification Address/Location for search:

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Morgan Robinson’s grand slam and a two-run homer by Ehren Guidroz helped the Natchitoches Central softball team outscore District 1-5A rival Parkway 12-8 on Tuesday in Bossier City.

The outcome kept NCHS unbeaten at 3-0 in district, and improved the Lady Chiefs to 8-9 overall. Parkway dipped to 5-10 overall, 2-1 in 1-5A.

The visitors took the lead in the second inning on Robinson’s homer, but Parkway replied in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 6.

In the top of the fifth, the Lady Chiefs regained the lead for good when Mallory Lacour doubled and Maggie Massia singled, each driving in a run.

Guidroz homered in the top of the sixth to pad the NCHS advantage.

A 14-hit Lady Chiefs attack was led by three hits each by Massia, Guidroz, and Robinson, and a pair from Lacour.

NCHS will continue district play Thursday at home against Haughton with the
junior varsity game at 4 and the varsity 90 minutes later.

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Students from four Natchitoches and Rapides Parish schools gathered at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum to vie for top honors in the Natchitoches Regional National History Day competition Saturday, March 9. The National History Day Competition, celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, is a nationwide contest for students in grades 6-12. Participating students have an opportunity to choose a research topic related to the year’s theme and present their research to a panel of judges. This year’s theme was “Turning Points in History”. Participating schools were Natchitoches’ St. Mary’s Catholic School, NSU Middle Lab School, The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts and the Rapides Academy for Advanced Academics. The contest winners listed below will advance to the Louisiana State Competition to be held April 13 at the National WWI Museum in New Orleans.

The Journal Media Group wishes these superb young historians all the best as they represent their communities at the state, and hopefully national, National History Day Competitions!

Senior Paper

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Natchitoches, LA

1st place- “The Switch from ‘Made in the USA Tag’: 1900s Fashion Makes a Comeback”, student Sydney Durocher

Senior Group Performance

St. Mary’s Catholic School, Natchitoches, LA

1st Place- “The Day Our Lives Changed Forever”, students Molly Blackmon, Lexi Cross, Ava Errington, Sophia Hogg, and Anna Thibodaux

Senior Group Exhibit

St. Mary’s Catholic School, Natchitoches, LA

1st place- “Pearl Harbor: The Turning Point in History”, students Cameron Ball, Jackson Godfrey, and Joseph Sklar

2nd place- “Battle of Saratoga”, students Colton Cross, Andrew Kautz, and Payne Williams

Senior Individual Exhibit

St. Mary’s Catholic School, Natchitoches, LA

1st Place- “The Radium Girls: A Turning Point in Worker # 39; Safety and Radium Education”, student Audrey Matt

2nd Place- “Wings of Change: The Revolution of Flight”, student Peter Kautz

3rd Place- “The Creation of Social Media”, student Nikolas Wright

Junior Group Documentary

Rapides Academy for Advanced Academics, Alexandria, LA

1st Place- “WW2 in Nazi Germany and Russia”, students Parker Gilmore and Danny Pena

Junior Group Performance

Rapides Academy for Advanced Academics, Alexandria, LA

1st Place- “The War Within the War: How Women’s Lives Changed Forever WWII”, students Ella Cintron and Camryn LaCaze

Junior Individual Exhibit

NSU Middle Lab School, Natchitoches, LA

1st Place- “Economic Impacts of World War 2”, student Riya Weber

2nd Place- “Industrial Revolution”, student Leah Weber

3rd Place- “Remembering the September 11th Attacks and Aftermath”, student Molly Morris

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You sports fans know we’re in the Crossover Season. Lots of moving parts. 

In the pros, baseball is in spring training, the NFL is in trade/arbitration/free agency/pass-the-blame offseason, and the NBA is nearing the start of its third trimester.

Yawn…

Then there is college, where campuses might not have enough fans to go around.

Tennis.

Track and field.

Softball and baseball.

Bowling. 

For some, beach volleyball. (We see you waving goodbye, Pac-12.)

Golf, for sure.

And in the Cucumber States, pickle ball. (Well, maybe one day …) 

But Crossover Season has just one Real Season, one that counts, and everybody who’s ever been in a gymnasium knows that.

It’s college basketball. Until March Madness is over, it’s tough to make more than a token investment in anything else. 

The men’s tournament started with eight teams in 1939 and grew with television, to 16 teams in 1951, to 64 in 1985, and eventually 67 games and 68 teams, from the First Four to the Final Four.

The women’s game and ultimately the tournament began to grow in the early 1980s. Check this out: the first Division 1 NCAA women’s champion defeated Cheyney State, 76-62, in 1982 in The Scope in Norfolk, Va. That would have been Louisiana Tech. Hometown team Old Dominion had been upset in the East Regional Semifinals, so the announced sellout crowd of 9,000-plus, thanks to corporate locals buying bunches of tickets, was a bit smaller than that.

TV ratings — CBS televised the title game as part of their contract with the men’s tournament — were miniscule. Still, the ball was rolling, and the Lady Techsters were the bunch that first kicked it down the road.

So Tech won the first one.

And the most recent Division I NCAA women’s champion, if memory serves, is LSU, a 102-85 winner over Iowa in the highest scoring final in the tournament’s history. That game was played before an announced crowd of 19,842 — and most of them were actually there — in the American Airlines Center in Dallas. ESPN viewership was nearly 10 million, a 100 percent increase over the year before.

Good times. 

So now the March action is twice the fun for those who are fans of both sports. If you are a fan of only one, that’s enough. That’s how good this tournament-times-two is.

I have not, as a writer, covered an NCAA Tournament beginning-to-end in a hard-to-believe 34 years. So when I write about things that happened in the mid-1980s, let’s say, it would be like me, back then, writing about the tournament as it was in the early-1950s.

In other words, names I’d type today about those 1980s times — names like Loyola Marymount, Bobby Cremins, Bucknell, St. Bonaventure, Bob Knight and Dick Tarrant — would be like me going back 30-plus years then and typing Canisius and Bradley and Clarence Iba and Slats Gill, Phil Woolpert and Adolph Rupp and a youngish John Wooden. Bill Russell and B.H. Born.

Go much further back and you’re talking peach baskets and a jump ball after every made basket.

Time is the great mystery. 

Things change. But that Thursday and Friday the first week of the tournament, four games in one day at each site, that’s the best Daily Double of the year. 

And always the surprises, in a tournament that’s proven timeless.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Anglers question themselves after a bass tournament. Bass fishermen are their own worse critics when it comes to how they performed.

While I still go into every tournament wanting to win, the reality is I probably won’t. But I do feel I’m still good enough to make the top 10! My effort and heart are still there, and I’ll do my homework before each event, but I’m continuously reminded that this is a young man’s sport. Today I’ll share my perspective on what happened after my recent ABA Solo 150 15th place finish at Lake of the Pines in East Texas.

Today’s tournament anglers are very good at catching bass. It all starts with the equipment they are using today. Fishing reels are so much more advanced than when I first started tournament fishing back in 1990. Reels that we used to consider high speed with a 7:1:1 gear ratio have been replaced by super high-speed reels with a gear ratio of 10:1. The fishing rods also are state of the art with so many different designs for every type of fishing known to man. Many rods today are so sensitive you can actually
feel every single pebble on the bottom of the lake.

So, with all this great equipment, why is it that everyone is not a great angler? In my opinion, it’s just like any other sport. Some anglers are just naturally better and more talented than others. The days of someone getting lucky to win a tournament are long gone! Anglers still must do their homework, spend time on the water and pre-fish before each event.

For this Lake of the Pines ABA Solo 150 Tour event, I made several trips to the Pines to scout weeks before the tournament. Of my first three previous trips leading up to the week of the event, I was catching not just a lot of fish, but quality as well. I was feeling pretty good about being able to have a top 10 finish. Then tournament week rolled around and all the time and effort I had put in was all for naught, or was it

One thing about early spring bass fishing is conditions can change almost daily. It might be the hardest time of year to pattern fish since conditions are constantly changing with passing cold fronts. This time of year, bass are constantly on the move looking to head for shallow water to spawn. For this event, I had what I thought was a good area where I felt bass would stage before coming in for the spawn. These spots can be a true honey hole and can put an angler in great position to do very well.

But that did not happen for me on this event, and I had to adjust my game plan and go to Plan B early on Day 1. But that’s what tournament bass fishing is all about — making adjustments. Long story short, I managed to bang out a five-fish limit just shy of 17 pounds on Day 1. Now for 80 percent of most events, this would be considered a great start. I felt confident I would be in the top 10 for sure or maybe the top 7.

Wrong! After all anglers weighed in on Day 1, I was sitting in 12th place. Now that’s nothing to be ashamed of, but two of my competitors caught over 25 pounds, with one over 27.

After the shock was over, I asked myself, “What the heck am I doing wrong?” I knew that the anglers who were leading were really good anglers, but I was heading into final day with a 10-pound deficit. I knew that there was no way I could make up that kind of ground on this group of anglers.

But Day 2 for me was not very good as I struggled to get a limit of about 11 pounds in the boat before 11:30 that morning. It was a small limit, but I continued to put my head down and fish hard hoping to get two or three quality bites (four- or five-pounders) that might put me in range to maybe get a check. As Day 2 came to a close, I ended this event in 15th place overall.   

Over my 34 years of tournament fishing, I have logged in thousands of hours on the water looking for those little green fish we call bass. While I still have the desire to compete and win an event, I’m a realist as well. These young anglers today are good, and I mean really good, especially with today’s advanced electronics. They are just better than me and that’s hard for me to say!

But one thing I have come to terms with is that at the age of 62, and a melanoma diagnosis that so far I have overcome, I’m happy to be able to wet a hook and continue to fish on a competitive level. It’s funny how your perspective changes when life throws you a curve ball and reminds you how precious it is to have our health. Winning is no longer that important. What is important is that I still enjoy the camaraderie we anglers share as a group. It’s the friends I’ve made because of bass fishing that makes it all worthwhile.

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and make sure to check out Tackle Talk Live podcast, as well as the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show on You Tube.

Contact Steve sgraf26@yahoo.com 

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