Join Marvin and his guest, Reneka Hayes Clark, to learn about the services of Youth and Families Empowerment.

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The Natchitoches Parish Council will hold a special called meeting on Thursday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will take place in the Council Board Room, #211 on the 2nd Floor of the Courthouse.

See Agenda 

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FAUNA recently received support from a group of young volunteers from Robeline First Baptist Church as part of a summer service project.

The volunteers assisted with a variety of tasks, including washing food dishes, filling water pools, and spending time with rescue dogs at the shelter. In addition to handling daily care responsibilities, the group provided much-needed attention and affection to the animals.

FAUNA expressed appreciation for the group’s efforts and their choice to support the shelter. Volunteers included Glen, Justin, Axel, Kody, Johnny, Layton, and Bryson. Their contribution helped lighten the workload and brought enrichment to the animals in FAUNA’s care.

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By ROBIN FAMBROUGH, Written for the LSWA

Years melted away in an instant as Dale Weiner told the story that shaped his life.

“I watched Jimmy Taylor score a winning touchdown,” Weiner recalled, motioning with his hands. “It was just the way he angled his body to get between two defenders. I had never seen anything like that.

“He scored and Baton Rouge High won. I was so excited. That was it – I knew football was something I had be part of.”

Weiner was a 5-year-old standing in the back of the BRHS end zone that night when Taylor, who went on to stardom at LSU and all the way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, scored that fateful touchdown.

Not every boy who grows up loving football becomes a 300 wins high school football coach. Weiner did and it not only shaped his life, it changed the trajectory of the athletic program at Baton Rouge’s Catholic High School.

Weiner, who amassed a record of 317-109 as a high school head football coach, is part of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Enshrinement occurs culminating the Induction Celebration in Natchitoches this weekend. Events begin today with a press conference and the free admission Welcome Reception at the LSHOF museum from 5-7 p.m.

All induction information can be found at LaSportsHall.com.

Weiner – brother-in-law of former Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey – made an impact that cannot be overstated, says a prior LSHOF inductee who worked alongside him.

“Dale Weiner is the most the most consequential coaching hire in the history of Catholic High,” said Pete Boudreaux, the school’s former athletic director, and a 2014 LSHOF inductee for his track and cross country coaching career. “Some people might question that, but I don’t.

“When you look at a high school in Louisiana, one of the first things people ask about is the football team. Before Dale came, we might have a good season here or there. Once Dale got here, the program took off. He was the right man for the job. It changed not just football, but the entire school.”

Hyperbole or truth? The fact that Boudreaux, who collected 52 state titles in track/cross country, could make such a statement points to the latter. Others, including former Baton Rouge High classmate/teammate and longtime Catholic assistant Don Hood, shoot down that notion.

“We were bad … everybody wanted to schedule us for their homecoming game,” Hood said. “We were called a lot of things that weren’t very nice that I won’t repeat. When Dale got there, I knew things would change because I knew Dale. He was always that guy … bright, could motivate people and knew football.”

Long before Catholic, there was Baton Rouge High. Weiner grew up within walking distance of the school, so watching games like the one he saw as a 5-year-old were common. His dream was to play for the Bulldogs and he did that as a lineman. When he met the late Murrell “Boots” Garland, Weiner saw a career path.

“Coach Garland had a way of drawing people to him,” Weiner said. “He had a sense of humor and a way of getting a point across. He could be tough when he needed to be. I loved playing for him. I knew I wanted to be a coach after watching him.”

His career move to Catholic High, just a couple of miles away – across Government Street – was more than a decade away after he graduated from LSU.

But his first job as an assistant coach, at Catholic High of Pointe Coupee in New Roads in 1975, was both eye-opening and helped earn the “cradle of coaches” moniker for the school.

Jim Hightower, the Hornets’ first-year head coach, was previously a baseball graduate assistant coach at LSU. It was the first head coaching job for Hightower, now the legendary coach at St. Thomas More, second on Louisiana’s all-time wins list with 482 wins and a 2016 LSHOF inductee. Over the years, CHSPC has been the proving ground for many coaches, including Weiner’s son, Neil, head coach at The Dunham School in Baton Rouge.

“Dale was and has always been such a positive person,” Hightower said. “He was a hard worker and eager to learn. He was that guy who was always in the lab, trying to figure out which plays and systems would work in which situation. He was always working on something.”

There was one notable misstep in the Hornets’ 1975 debut. Catholic-PC won its jamboree game on the final play. Weiner was in the press box.

“Our player was running down the field to score the winning touchdown and I started jumping up and down in the press box,” Weiner said. “I was so excited.”

Everyone wanted to relive and review that play once the film was developed in Baton Rouge. It was not meant to be. Weiner was next to the camera when he started jumping up and down. It distorted the images.

“We laugh about it now,” Lindy Weiner said. “In that moment, Jim was so mad at Dale.”

Soon enough, Weiner got his first head coaching job. He was a head coach St. John-Plaquemine, Catholic-PC and Trafton Academy, now known as The Dunham School. The first time he applied at Catholic, Weiner was turned down.

A couple of years later, the job was open again and Weiner was hired. During the second interview process, Weiner pointed out that he grew up in the neighborhood and boldly stated that was why he wanted to coach.

It’s fair to say the rest is history. In 30 seasons at Catholic, Weiner was 282-81, including a runner-up finish in Class 4A in 1990 and a Division I select title in 2015, along with 18 district titles with just one losing season.

More than 140 of his former players have competed on the college level and 16 have earned spots on NFL rosters. Weiner’s attention to detail in all things, including strength and conditioning, also contributed to 17 Olympic weightlifting team titles.

“To this day, I am thankful to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, the administration, Pete Boudreaux and all the coaches and faculty members I worked with at Catholic High,” Weiner said. “I ended up where I was supposed to be. I am blessed.”

Contact Robin at rfambrough@theadvocate.com

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Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” with good reason. Although we’re not at the top for deer, turkey and duck hunting, we hold our own rather well. With our proximity to the Gulf and its great salt-water fishing along with top-notch lakes and rivers within the state, we often turn heads when it comes to fishing.

Fishmasters.com, a relatively new media platform for anglers, recently did a yeoman’s job in selecting the top 30 lakes in states across the country. These lakes were chosen after talking with local anglers and followers on social media. The list was compiled not just based on popularity but about where people actually go to fish and what they catch.

Louisiana’s top 30 lakes, as compiled by Fishmasters.com, covers lakes all over the state. What attracted my attention was how the organization shined the spotlight on lakes in north Louisiana. A few of note included Bussey Brake, a lake that has recently caught on fire for the number of lunker bass it is producing. It sits at number 16 and if the list were more recent, Bussey might be higher.

Black Lake, not far from my roots in Natchitoches Parish, was listed as number 12 and Bistineau at number 11. What especially caught my attention was the top 10 lakes that included those in north Louisiana. Number 1 was no surprise, Toledo Bend with Caney Lake coming in at number 2 and D’Arbonne at number 3. What really pleased me was the lake sitting at number 7, Lake Claiborne.

When I lived in Homer during the late 1960s, the big news was that a new lake was being planned and drawn up for the hills of Claiborne Parish. State Senator Danny Roy Moore, a civil
engineer working with Representative John S. Garrett, drew up plans for the lake and they were able to secure funds to construct the 6,500-acre watershed. The lake was completed and water coursed over the spillway for the first time on May 17, 1968.

Before the lake filled, I would drive out before work and enjoy some exciting early morning duck hunts on the potholes that would eventually be inundated by 30 feet of water.

Once they were, Lake Claiborne became a school bass paradise and fishing for bass that churned the surface chasing shad became my go-to sport.

A lot has happened to Lake Claiborne over the past 57 years since it filled. The lake’s popularity started waning somewhat with the construction in Jackson Parish of Caney Lake, which became known as the big bass capitol of Louisiana. The state record 15.97-pounder was caught by Greg Wiggins on Caney, a record that has stood for over 20 years. Catching a four or five pounder on Claiborne was about the high standard.

Over the past decade, Lake Claiborne has quietly and steadily been making a comeback and much of the success today has to do with the introduction of Tiger Bass, a hybrid cross between native largemouth bass and Florida strain largemouth bass. Tiger bass are known for their faster growth rates compared to pure strains of largemouths. During a recent tournament held on the lake, the top eight fish averaged nearly 8 pounds each with the largest weighing in at over 11 pounds.

“Lake Claiborne doesn’t try to impress,” quoting Fishmasters.com. “It delivers, especially for those who know how to read the water and come ready to fish.”

Area fishermen should be proud to know that four of our north Louisiana lakes are in the top 10 for the state: Toledo Bend, Caney, D’Arbonne and rather surprisingly, Lake Claiborne.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

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Natchitoches Regional Medical Center is proud to recognize the 2025 graduates of the NRMC Leadership Academy, a professional development program designed to cultivate leadership talent from within the organization.

The NRMC Leadership Academy is an integrated curriculum designed to prepare current and future leaders with both the interpersonal and organizational skills needed to successfully lead teams. The 10-month intensive program explores critical skills such as leading transformation, effective accountability, difficult conversations, situational leadership, and more.

Each cohort is charged with identifying 2 key opportunities facing the organization and applying their new skills to develop an actionable capstone project that addresses these opportunities. The two capstone projects completed this year focused on (1) idea and innovation cultivation within the frontline staff and (2) deploying new approaches to broaden associate recognition within the frontline staff.

Participants are selected from throughout NRMC through a competitive process. This year’s graduating class includes: Shay Ball, Kelsey Beaudion, Halie Errington, Jessica Havard, Cheyenne Martin, Andrea Rachal, Renee Robinson, Megan Sauce, Justin Sines, Jared Stanton, Dacia Vascocu, Kasmine Williams, and Latonya Winslow.

“We are incredibly proud of these graduates and the work they’ve done,” said Kirk Soileau, NRMC Chief Executive Officer. “Their dedication to continuous improvement and innovation is a reflection of our mission to deliver excellent care and foster leadership at every level of the organization.”

Training leaders and planning for succession within the organization helps ensure the future of the healthcare system and its sustainability. The Leadership Academy is part of NRMC’s commitment to investing in its team members and ensuring a strong future of healthcare leadership for the region.

For more information on the services provided by NRMC, please visit NRMChospital.org.

ABOUT NATCHITOCHES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
One of the largest rural health systems in Louisiana, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center provides access to care for more than 100,000 patients in the 5-parish region. The 216-bed healthcare system has over 1,000 Associates and more than 100 active and consulting physicians on its medical staff. The system is comprised of the 96-bed acute care facility and is home to the NRMC EMS services and training center; NRMC Cancer Center with medical oncology, hematology, and radiation oncology; a nationally acclaimed award-winning Wound Center; NSU Sports Medicine; Breast Center; Behavioral Health Services in partnership with Compass Health; Ambulatory Treatment Center; the Courtyard of Natchitoches, a skilled long-term care facility; Pain Institute; retail pharmacy; Sleep Center; NRMC Imaging Center; and the NRMC network of clinics including Regional Cardiology; OB/GYN Associates; Walk-in and Primary Care; Pulmonology Associates; Urology Associates; Orthopedic Associates; General Surgery Associates; Medicine Associates; and North Natchitoches Medical Clinic. The NRMC Foundation helps support the hospital’s mission through its generous donors and signature events including the annual gala, golf tournament, TappedTober, and Steel Magnolia Run.

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LaTonzia Beavers, Master Teacher at Natchitoches Magnet School, has been named a National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Fellow, recognizing her ongoing commitment to instructional leadership and teacher development.

Since joining Natchitoches Magnet in 2021, Beavers has played a key role in supporting teachers through coaching, field testing instructional strategies, and leading collaborative planning sessions. Her efforts have contributed to a strong, intentional learning environment focused on student success and educator growth.

Earlier this year, Beavers led the school’s Instructional Leadership Team to Washington, D.C., where they presented a session titled “Cluster in a Bubble” at the NIET National Conference. The session showcased effective instructional practices and emphasized the importance of structured collaboration in professional development.

Her recognition as an NIET Fellow highlights her leadership and dedication to advancing instructional quality in the classroom and beyond.

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Members of the Mu Omega Zeta and Xi Epsilon Chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, alongside the Zeta Amicae of Natchitoches, LA, proudly attended the 96th Southern Regional Leadership Conference and 57th Southern Regional Zeta Amicae Leadership Workshop held from June 12-15, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. Themed “Two-Stepping Toward Our Southern Regional Centennial: A Celebration of Our Mighty Extraordinary Legacy of Leadership,” the conference provided engaging workshops, inspiring presentations, and valuable networking opportunities focused on strengthening bonds and enhancing leadership capabilities within the organization.

The Mu Omega Zeta Chapter was especially honored to celebrate several members for their enduring dedication and significant contributions. Sandra Williams, Josephine Winder, and Yalaunda Toliver-Taylor were recognized for 35 years of service, Lockey Reliford for 40 years, and Belinda Turner for an impressive 45 years of distinguished commitment.

Individual excellence was also a highlight. Yalaunda Toliver-Taylor was named Zeta of the Year for 2022-2023, and Cheryl Jackson received the Zeta of the Year award for 2024-2025. Ms. Toliver-Taylor was also re-elected as the Regional Life Member Coordinator and recognized as a graduate of the Southern Regional Leadership Development Academy.

Proudly representing the Mu Omega Zeta Chapter as delegates were Denise Washington-Cornelius, Carletta Jones, Coretta Conant, Yalaunda Toliver-Taylor, Josephine Winder, Kaylee Cotton (Xi Epsilon), and Faith Miller (Xi Epsilon).

The Zeta Amicae of Natchitoches also received well-deserved accolades. Melva Mitchell was honored as Amicae of the Year, Doryce Polk received a Milestone Award for 35 years of service, and Mary Calhoun was recognized as Amicae Advisor of the Year.

Finally, the Xi Epsilon Chapter of Northwestern State University celebrated Faith Miller as their 2024-2025 Zeta of the Year.

About Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated:
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is an international, historically Black Greek-lettered sorority founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by five visionary women affectionately known as “The Five Pearls.” The five co-eds chose the name Zeta Phi Beta, with “Phi Beta” taken from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, to “seal and signify the relationship between the two organizations.” The sorority’s founding principles are Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. Its motto is: “A community-conscious, action-oriented organization.”

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April 17, 1950 — June 21, 2025

A service celebrating the life of C C “Petey” Johnson will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 28, in the chapel of Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. It will be led by the Rev. Anthony Dharmaraj, MSFS, of St. Rita Catholic Church in Alexandria, LA. Brett Hortman will share a reflection on his life on behalf of the family. Interment will follow at Fern Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 27, in the funeral home chapel. Mr. Johnson, 75, died peacefully on Saturday, June 21.

A native of Natchitoches, LA, was the fourth of five children born to C C (Pete) and Anna Grace Elliott Johnson. He graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1968, and in 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education from Northwestern State University.

He began his career as a teacher and coach at Natchitoches Central High School and then worked at Kaffie-Frederick with his mentors, John Titus Frederick and John Levy Frederick, for several years. He later worked in hardware sales for Stratton Baldwin, and in 1985, he purchased Eckard Hardware in Alexandria, developing the business into a statewide source for locks and architectural hardware.

His passion was duck hunting and fishing. He spent countless hours in the great outdoors of Cane River, Snake Lake, Chee Chee Bay with his son, Thomas, and his lifelong friend, Dennis Arthur, finding peace in the stillness of a forest at dawn or the ripple of the lake at sunset.

In 2008, Mr. Johnson married the former Janet Waters, and together they made their home in Natchitoches, where they were active members of the Krewe of Dionysos, where he reigned as Duke of Dance VIII in 2006, King XV in 2013, and he served as Captain XIX in 2017 and Captain XX in 2018. Together they traveled across the United States, but they particularly loved New Orleans, Lake Tahoe, and Mexico.

He is survived by his wife; his children, Thomas Wayne Johnson of Alexandria; Anna Laura Johnson Angel and her husband, B.W. of Oakdale; and Marie Yvonne Johnson Wilson and her husband, Jared, of Alexandria; his step children, Mandy Roberts Owens and her husband, Jason, of Marion, AR; Jeffrey Nicholas Roberts of Fayetteville, NC; his four grandchildren and five step grandchildren; Thomas Wayne Johnson Jr., of Alexandria; Bradley Ross, Benjamin (Ben) Luke, and Andrew (Drew) Cade Wilson, all of Alexandria; Mallory Elizabeth Owens of Charleston, SC, Jackson Ronald Owens, and Hudson Carter Owens of Marion, AR; and Maggie Elizabeth Roberts and Dash William Roberts of Fayetteville, NC; and two sisters, Floy Ann Johnson Law and Hona Lou Johnson Graham, both of Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Grover Johnson; his sister, Linda Sue Johnson; his aunt, Martha Elliott; Hona and John Titus Frederick, and Madeline and Harold Matthews.

Serving as pallbearers for Mr. Johnson will be his grandsons, Thomas Jr., Bradley, and Ben; Jackson Owens; and Luke and Sydney Frederick. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons, Drew, Hudson, and Dash.

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Natchitoches Thomas Apartments will reopen the wait list and begin accepting applications on July 1, 2025.

Applications can be picked up at the site or downloaded from the website on and after July 1:

https://www.natchitochesthomas.com/ 

Completed applications will be placed on the wait-list based on the time and date received.

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BOM donated desk fans and cases of water to Monica Evans in support of her community fan drive. The distribution date is set for June 21st from 3-5pm in the St. Maurice community. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Nicole Williams and Kristen Carpenter and Monica Evan

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The Natchitoches Parish Council held a brief special called meeting on the morning of June 24 to address two key items of business.

The council first approved an amendment to the agenda to consider a resolution involving a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement. The resolution, concerning a previously discussed solar energy project, required revised language to comply with formal procedures. The council approved the updated resolution, which authorizes the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority to enter into a PILOT agreement related to the solar development project.

All council members present voted in favor of the resolution.

The council then approved the renewal of a contract and lease agreement with Waste Connections Bayou Inc. for continued operation of the parish transfer station. The renewal extends the agreement for an additional three years. The vote passed unanimously.

With no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned following a motion and second from council members.

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By Courtney Freeman

The Village of Robeline will hold its monthly meeting this Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m. in the police depot. Besides the normal financial reports, the 2025-2026 budget vote and sewer bond ordinance vote will be on the agenda. Everyone is invited to come be a part of the meeting.

The Robeline Heritage Society will hold a fish fry fundraiser this Saturday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Robeline park. Plates are $12 and orders of 5 or more can be delivered. You can pre-order by contacting Courtney Stoker 318-602-8682 or Frances Walker 318-581-6489. All proceeds will go towards festival activities.

As you may have noticed the Heritage Society is in the process of giving the jail in the park some TLC. We’ve also decided to use the east side of our building on Hwy. 6 to put a permanent sign for the festival and its dates. It has been ordered and should be ready soon.

We also decided as an ongoing fundraiser to post gold level donors on the sides of the festival sign on the Heritage building. Each sign will be 18×24 and will stay up from Sept. 1 until next September. Donors may contact Frances Walker 318- 581-6489, Courtney Freeman 318-354-7019, Courtney Stoker 318-602-8682, or Theresa Gibson 318-332-4968. We can also be reached by email at cfreeman51989@yahoo.com. As this is the 1st year and was not included in our initial donation mailer in January, please be assured if you have already donated your initial donation will count towards reaching gold level donor status.

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The Natchitoches Parish School Board invites the community to attend the 2025 Back to School Expo on Monday, July 21 from 4:30-6:30 PM at NSU’s Prather Coliseum, as the district gears up for a new school year filled with sweet opportunities.

With the theme “How Sweet It Is to Learn with NPSB,” families can look forward to an exciting, interactive event that celebrates education and helps prepare students for a successful school year. Students will receive and can enjoy the following:

FREE backpacks filled with school supplies (while supplies last)
Sweet treats
Haircut vouchers
Door prizes
School registration assistance
Supply lists and info from each NPSB school

Representatives from all Natchitoches Parish Schools will be on-site to answer questions and help families feel confident and ready for the new year.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Natchitoches Thomas Apartments will reopen the wait list and begin accepting applications on July 1, 2025.

Applications can be picked up at the site or downloaded from the website on and after July 1:

https://www.natchitochesthomas.com/ 

Completed applications will be placed on the wait-list based on the time and date received.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is currently updating the Statewide Transportation Plan and is inviting residents, commuters, and business owners to provide input through an online survey available until June 30.

The plan, last updated in 2015, will serve as a blueprint for shaping the future of Louisiana’s transportation system. The updated plan is expected to be finalized in 2025 and is designed to address the evolving needs of a modern transportation network—balancing safety, infrastructure longevity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.

DOTD’s effort is guided by the theme “Shaping Louisiana’s Future: Your Journey, Our Priority,” emphasizing the importance of aligning transportation planning with the needs of the public. Transportation in Louisiana encompasses more than just roads—it’s about efficiently and safely moving people and goods across the state and the country.

To ensure the plan reflects the priorities of Louisianans, DOTD has identified six overarching goals:

Safety – Provide safe and secure travel across all modes of transportation.

Preservation – Maintain the state’s multimodal infrastructure in a state of good repair.

Resilience – Strengthen the system’s ability to withstand and recover from extreme weather and other disruptions.

Community Development and Enhancement – Ensure the transportation network serves all citizens and supports broader community goals.

Economic Competitiveness – Foster a transportation system that drives employment, commerce, and tourism.

Environmental Sustainability – Make transportation decisions that are respectful of Louisiana’s environment, culture, and history.

Public input will play a critical role in refining these goals and guiding investment decisions over the coming years. Whether priorities lie in road improvements, bridge repairs, public transit, or freight logistics, community feedback will help shape the vision for how Louisiana moves forward.

The public is encouraged to complete the brief survey by visiting latransportationplan.la.gov/survey.

With growing demand, technological advancement, and shifting infrastructure needs, DOTD is committed to planning for a transportation system that supports safety, sustainability, and long-term growth. Public participation is essential to creating a plan that reflects the values and vision of all Louisianans.

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 We’re back for round two – and the deals are still
Join us this Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 214 Texas Street!

• 80% OFF all Christmas
• 70% OFF everyday home + seasonal
• Deep discounts you won’t want to miss

Shoppers will enjoy 70% off all inventory and an incredible 80% off all Christmas merchandise during this limited-time event. The sale includes a wide selection of home décor, gifts, seasonal items, and more—perfect for restyling your space or stocking up for future gifting.

Bring your shopping bag and come early—quantities are limited and the best items go fast!

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(EDITOR’S NOTE: Addison Evans is a 17-year-old photographer from Natchitoches with a growing portfolio in sports media, including her just-completed coverage of LSU at the College World Series for the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. She recently completed a six-month internship with Northwestern State Baseball and has covered high school baseball across north Louisiana. Evans is a recent high school graduate and incoming freshman at LSU.)

By ADDISON EVANS, Special to the Journal

Four years ago, as a high school freshman picking up a camera for the first time, I never imagined it would lead me to Omaha – photographing LSU Baseball’s historic eighth national championship win.

Over a week before claiming the national title, LSU opened its College World Series run against Arkansas. I arrived nearly eight hours before first pitch, eager to get a feel for where I would be shooting. One wrong turn landed me in the UCLA dugout – right in the middle of their warmups.

That simple mistake sparked an unexpected connection with a UCLA staff member – another woman passionate about working in baseball. At the time, I thought: Wow, this might be the coolest accidental turn of my life. I had no idea just how right— and wrong — I would be. 

That one turn sparked 10 days of once-in-a-lifetime experiences most 17-year-olds only dream of: capturing team arrivals, game action, postgame celebrations, and press conferences at the ultimate destination for a college baseball team or fan — Omaha.

I met Kayli Hartzell and Claire Ryerson, college students working with the NCAA’s CWS media staff, who shared the same passion for sports. Though I had prior sports media experience, Omaha offered something different – mentorship and guidance at a very high level. Every question I asked seemed to land in the hands of the right person.

As the road to the championship unfolded, so did my vision for how I wanted to document it. My personal mantra became “explore to get creative shots.” I did just that – experimenting from the upper concourse levels, behind players on deck, and even in the dugout. A brief, accidental visit to the Murray State bullpen reminded me that not every boundary is meant to be crossed.

Playing it safe for LSU’s Game 2 against UCLA led to a clean, but uninspired gallery. That’s when I recognized that the best shots come from trusting my instincts and pushing creative boundaries.

From that point on, I treated every game like any other – focused on the essence of baseball: the fans, atmosphere, player interactions, and everything in between.

With every resource imaginable at my fingertips, I made sure to use them. When a media opportunity came up in the LSU locker room, I took it — introducing myself to staff, chatting with players, and shooting pregame and postgame from the field. I learned that if you act like you know what you’re doing, eventually, you start to believe it — and others do, too.

As a longtime fan of disposable cameras, once the finals were set, I handed out a few to players from LSU and Coastal Carolina. I had done something similar during my internship with Northwestern State Baseball on a road trip to Pepperdine and it was a hit. I wanted to give players the chance to document their experience from their own perspective, using a creative outlet I love.

After LSU’s second win over Arkansas sealed the Tigers’ ticket to the finals, the pressure to get creative shots increased. The team had to beat Coastal Carolina twice for the title, giving me up to three games to capture the full story.

Following the 4-6-3 double play that ended the championship game, my lens went straight to the iconic dogpile forming near the mound. To document it as a photographer was incredible, and as a lifelong LSU fan and incoming freshman there, it was deeply personal.

After heading inside the media workroom to start editing, I heard music echoing in the hallway. Tiger Baseball was on the move, Turtlebox speakers blaring. Wherever they were going, I was, too. I quickly grabbed my camera and followed them to the Road to Omaha statue. Watching the team celebrate together, blasting their favorite songs, was a special moment to capture.

That reminded me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. It’s never just about the game — it’s about telling the story: the energy, the emotion, the moments few notice, or no one sees.

Being at the College World Series gave me the perfect chance to do that. And for a Louisiana girl who grew up supporting LSU in the stands at Alex Box Stadium, photographing the Tigers claiming their eighth national title was more than just a career milestone. It was a celebration of years spent supporting LSU Baseball – a moment where my younger self could see how far that love has carried me.

• To check out Evans’ portfolio from the College World Series, visit her AE Photography Instagram account — addionfilm.

Contact Addison at sports@journalservicesllc.com

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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, when St. Thomas More 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 three-day Class of 2025 Induction Celebration begins Thursday 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 the new Lafayette 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.’”

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.”

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.”

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.

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

Finally in 2013  came that second state title, followed by four more since then.

Many believe this past season might have been the best coaching job of his career.

One year after being briefly benched by triple bypass surgery, Broussard guided his 2025 Cougars to the state championship game and then led the STM 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.

Contact Kevin at kfoote@theadvocate.com

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Three fun-filled days and nights make Natchitoches the festive focal point in our state Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday with the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and you and yours are invited.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2025 will be enshrined Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 66th Induction Celebration. A seating reconfiguration last week created additional seating up to 900 and a few dozen tickets remain available at LaSportsHall.com.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday with the free admission Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m. at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.

The Friday schedule begins with the Mardi Gras Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. There’s still room for individual and team entries with participants enjoying lunch catered by Walk-On’s while warm up for the competition takes place at the 40-alley facility.

Two of south Louisiana’s hottest musical acts from the Baton Rouge area will take the stage for the coolest concert for miles around, the absolutely free Rockin’ River Fest party Friday evening.

The Lauren Lee Band will get the party started and The Chase Tyler Band is the featured act on the Rue Beauport stage bordering Cane River Lake smack dab in the middle of the City of Lights’ historic and beautiful downtown district.

In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event that is approaching capacity on the Front Street bricks and inside Mama’s Oyster House, Papa’s and the Blues Room.

The slate on Saturday kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting will televise the ceremony live from 7-9:30.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

The Class of 2025 is headlined by two men pivotal in LSU’s 2003 football national championship – coach Nick Saban and Andrew Whitworth, a champion at West Monroe High School, LSU and in the NFL during a 16-year pro career. More sparkle is provided by pro basketball All-Stars Vickie Johnson and Danny Granger, the state’s winningest all-time college baseball coach Joe Scheuermann and Danny Broussard, one of the nation’s most successful high school basketball coaches, in this year’s induction class.

It also includes LSU gymnastics great and NCAA individual champion April Burkholder, transformational Catholic-Baton Rouge high school football coach Dale Weiner and George “Bobby” Soileau, a four-time high school and 1956 NCAA boxing champion at LSU who also won a state crown as a football coach at his alma mater, Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte.

LSU graduate Herb Vincent, now a longstanding associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, is receiving the Hall’s Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award with his enshrinement.

Also being honored: Ed Daniels, a generational television sports broadcaster in New Orleans, and Glenn Guilbeau, one of the nation’s more decorated sportswriters in a career that has seen him cover LSU, state college, high school and pro sports along with stories across the South and around the SEC. They are being inducted as recipients of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

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