Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (LHOF) is an hall of fame exhibit that honors the accomplishments of athletes, coaches and other sports figures in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Located in a facility in the downtown historic district of the city of Natchitoches, the LHOF is part of the broader Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum – Natchitoches. The LHOF formally opened on June 28, 2013.[1]

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
EstablishedJune 28, 2013 (2013-06-28)
LocationNatchitoches, Louisiana, United States
TypeHall of fame
Executive directorRonnie Rantz

History

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The museum had been fifty-five years in search of a permanent home. Many of the artifacts had previously been stored at Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.


In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there were concerns that the proposed museum would be removed from the list of approved projects in 2005 by the Louisiana Bond Commission. However, then-state representative Taylor Townsend informed Hall of Fame executive director Doug Ireland that the sports museum, unlike other similar proposals, had survived the vetting process.

Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey said the museum is a "tremendous" boost to Natchitoches-area tourism.[2] On June 28, 2013, the LHOF was officially opened.[1] Then-Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne, whose office handles state tourism matters, was on hand for the grand opening.

In 2016, Ronnie Rantz, a former Louisiana State University pitcher and sports broadcaster, was chosen to lead the Sports Hall of Fame.[3] In 2020, the exhibit postponed its induction ceremony for the Class of 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Inductees

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The first inductees were named to the Hall of Fame in 1958.

Sortable table
Name Sport/Team/City Year Inducted
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Basketball, LSU 2021
Danny Abramowicz Pro Football, New Orleans Saints 1992
Joe Adcock Major League Baseball, Coushatta, LSU 1975
Joe Aillet Football Coach, Louisiana Tech University 1973
Charles Alexander Football, LSU, NFL 1993
Teddy Allen Journalism, Shreveport 2022
Billy Allgood Coach, Louisiana College 1999
John Altobello High School Basketball Coach, New Orleans 1994
Morten Andersen Football, New Orleans Saints 2011
Eric Andolsek Football, LSU 2022
Ronald Ardoin Horse Racing Jockey, Jockey’s Agent 2013
Alex Greek Athas Basketball, Track & Field, Tulane 1992
Carrice Russell Baker Basketball Coach, Louisiana Tech, Jena, Winnsboro 2009
Bill Banker Football, Tulane 1978
Gary Barbaro Football, New Orleans/Nicholls State/NFL 2000
Leon Barmore Women's Basketball Coach, Louisiana Tech 2004
Alana Beard Basketball, Shreveport, WNBA 2023
Albert Belle Major League Baseball, LSU 2005
Skip Bertman Baseball Coach, LSU 2002
Bernie Bierman Football Coach, Tulane 1967
Courtney Blades Softball, Baton Rouge 2021
Buddy Blair Basketball, Track, Baseball, LSU 1981
Mel Blount Football, Southern University, NFL 1989
Vida Blue Major League Baseball, Mansfield 1990
Tommy Bolt Professional Golf, Shreveport 1974
Zeke Bonura Major League Baseball, New Orleans 1989
Sid Bowman Track and Field, LSU 1976
Warren Braden Football, Southern University, NFL 1998
Terry Bradshaw Football, Louisiana Tech, NFL 1988
Frank Brian Basketball, LSU, NBA 1986
Lou Brock Major League Baseball, Southern University 1983
Michael Brooks Football, NFL 2009
Marty Broussard Sports Medicine 2009
Billy Brown Track and Field, LSU 1969
Bruce Brown Journalism, Lafayette 2023
Charlie Brown High School Football Coach, Neville-Monroe 2001
Dale Brown Basketball Coach, LSU 1999
Gernon Brown High School Coach, Jesuit-New Orleans 1990
James E. "Big Fuzzy" Brown High School Football Coach, Istrouma-Baton Rouge 1992
Joe Brown Professional Boxing, New Orleans 1976
P. J. Brown Basketball, Louisiana Tech, NBA 2016
Ro Brown Journalism, New Orleans 2021
Willard Brown Major League Baseball, Negro league baseball, Shreveport 2007
Willie Brown Football, Grambling, NFL 1985
Pat Browne U.S. Golf Champion 1998
Queen Brumfield Women's Basketball, Southeastern Louisiana University 2002
Buck Buchanan Football, Grambling, NFL 1986
Jerry Byrd Sportswriter for the Shreveport Journal and Bossier Press-Tribune 1996
Paul Byrd Baseball, LSU 2023
Chris Cagle Football, Merryville, USL, Army 1960
Billy Cannon Football, LSU, AFL, NFL 1976
Tony Canzoneri Professional Boxing, Slidell 1959
Harold Carmichael Football, Southern University, NFL 1989
Roger Carr Football, Louisiana Tech, NFL 2012
Mark Carrier Football, NFL 2010
Tommy Casanova Football, LSU, NFL 1985
Jim Cason Football, LSU, NFL 2003
Don Chaney Basketball, McKinley-Baton Rouge, NBA 1991
Jimmy Childress High School Football Coach, Ruston and Monroe 2001
Jay Cicero Sports Management, New Orleans 2022
Will Clark Major League Baseball, New Orleans 2004
Marques Colston Football, New Orleans Saints 2021
Hollis Conway Track and Field, Shreveport, Louisiana-Lafayette, USA Olympic Team 2004
Jim Corbett Athletic Director, LSU 1985
Clifford Ann Creed Professional Golf, Alexandria 1985
John David Crow Football, Springhill, NFL 1976
J.T. Curtis Football coach 2010
Jerry Dalrymple Football, Tulane 1964
Alvin Dark Major League Baseball, Lake Charles, LSU 1976
Willie Davenport Track and Field, Southern University, USA Olympic Team 1988
Tommy Davis Football, LSU, NFL 1988
Walter Davis Track & Field, LSU 2023
Wendell Davis Football, LSU, NFL 2023
Willie Davis Football, Grambling, NFL 1977
Fred Dean Football, Louisiana Tech, NFL 1995
Joe Dean Athletic Director, LSU 2001
Eddie Delahoussaye Horse Racing Jockey, New Iberia 2002
Joe Delaney Football, Northwestern State University, NFL 1996
Bill Dickey Major League Baseball, Bastrop 1981
Mel Didier Baseball, Baton Rouge, LSU 2003
Paul Dietzel Football Coach, LSU 1988
Dave Dixon Entrepreneur, New Orleans 1999
Dr. Jack Doland Football Coach, McNeese State 2002
Atley Donald Major League Baseball, Louisiana Tech, Choudrant 1982
Glenn Dorsey Football, LSU 2021
Villis P. “Bo” Dowden Fishing, Northwestern State 2021
A. J. Duhe Football, LSU 2001
Steve Duhon Rodeo, LSU 2022
Joe Dumars Basketball, Natchitoches/McNeese State/NBA 2003
Matt Dunigan Football, Louisiana Tech, CFL 2019
Ralph Dupas Professional Boxing, New Orleans 1994
Mark Duper Football, Northwestern State, NFL 2005
Claney Duplechin Track & Field / Cross Country Coach, Baton Rouge 2022
Billy Joe Dupree Football, West Monroe/NFL 2003
Tom Dutton Football, LSU 1969
Eddie Dyer Major League Baseball, Morgan City 1966
Ken Ellis Football, Southern, NFL 2000
Ron Estay Football, LSU 2006
Jahri Evans Football, New Orleans Saints 2022
Lenny Fant Basketball Coach, Northeast Louisiana University 1998
Kevin Faulk Football, LSU 2015
Marshall Faulk Football, NFL 2009
Doc Fenton Football, LSU 1968
Joe Ferguson Football, Shreveport, NFL 1994
Jim Finks Administrator, New Orleans Saints 2000
Chuck Finley Baseball, ULM, Monroe 2006
Norman Allen "Norm" Fletcher Broadcaster, NSU Demons 2010
Peggy Flournoy Football, Tulane 1968
Edward Flynn Boxing, New Orleans 2022
Steve Foley Football, Tulane, Jesuit-New Orleans, NFL 2002
Garland Forman, Jr. Journalism, Louisiana College 2022
Matt Forte Football, Tulane, NFL 2023
Alton "Red" Franklin High School Football Coach, Haynesville 2004
John Franks Horse Racing Thoroughbred Owner, Shreveport 1995
Eddy Furniss Baseball, Louisiana State 2012
Stan Galloway Football Coach, Southeastern Louisiana University 1989
Lin Gamble Women's Basketball, Grand Cane 2001
Ralph Garr Major League Baseball, Grambling 1985
L. J. Hoss Garrett High School Football Coach, Louisiana Tech, Ruston 1997
Leslie Gaudet High School Basketball Coach, Pine Prairie 1997
Paul Geisler Football, Centenary 1967
Larry Gilbert Baseball, New Orleans 1964
Matt Gordy Track and Field, LSU 1985
Tad Gormley Coach, Tulane, LSU, Loyola 1968
Hoyle Granger Football, Mississippi State, NFL 2005
Mike Green Basketball, Louisiana Tech, NBA 1996
Grits Gresham Outdoorsman, Natchitoches 1989
Bob Groseclose Track & Field Coach, Northeast Louisiana University 1992
Eric Guerin Horse Racing Jockey, Maringouin 1984
Ron Guidry Major League Baseball, Lafayette, USL 1992
Sue Gunter Women's Basketball Coach, LSU 2005
Freddie Haas Amateur Golf, New Orleans 1978
Darryl Hamilton Major League Baseball, Baton Rouge, Nicholls State 2008
Jake Hanna Football, Centenary 1978
Billy Hardin Track and Field, LSU 1998
Slats Hardin Track and Field, LSU 1962
James "Shack" Harris Football, Monroe, Grambling, NFL 1999
Gayle Hatch Weightlifting Coach, Baton Rouge, Northwestern State 2008
Joel Hawkins High School Basketball Coach, Southern Lab, Lake Providence, G.W. Griffin 2007
Elvin Hayes Basketball, Rayville, NBA 1988
Ed Head Major League Baseball, Selma 1965
T.P. "Skipper" Heard LSU Athletics Director 2011
Bobby Hebert Football, Cut Off, Northwestern State, NFL, New Orleans Saints 2000
Jay Hebert Professional Golf, Lafayette 1982
Lionel Hebert Professional Golf, Lafayette 1982
Lee Hedges Winningest high-school football coach in Shreveport, 1955-1965; 1967-1984 2010
Bob Henderson Director, University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1999
Charlie Hennigan Football, Northwestern State University, AFL 1978
Pat Henry Track & Field Coach, LSU 2021
Tommy Henry High School Administrator, Alexandria 2008
Pete Herman Professional Boxing, New Orleans 1960
Tynes Hildebrand Basketball coach and athletic director at Northwestern State University 2014
Dalton Hilliard Football, LSU, New Orleans Saints 1997
Tom Hinton Football, Louisiana Tech, CFL 2005
Fred Hobdy Basketball Coach, Grambling 1994
Sonja Hogg Women's Basketball Coach, Louisiana Tech 2009
Bob Hopkins Basketball, Grambling, NBA 1978
Cal Hubbard Football & Baseball, Centenary 1966
Stan Humphries Football, ULM, NFL 2007
Walter Imahara Weightlifting, Baton Rouge 2023
Doug Ireland Journalism, Northwestern State 2021
Luke Jackson Basketball, Olympic & NBA 1998
Rich Jackson Football, Southern University, NFL 1994
Rickey Jackson Professional Football, New Orleans Saints 1999
Susan Jackson Gymnastics, LSU 2022
Dana Jenkins Track and Field, LSU 1968
Kathy Johnson (Clarke) Gymnastics, Centenary College, USA Olympic Team 1996
Gary "Big Hands" Johnson Football, Grambling, NFL 1991
Vaughan Johnson Professional Football, New Orleans Saints 2011
Charlie Joiner Football, Grambling, NFL 1990
Bert Jones Football, LSU, NFL 1986
Biff Jones Football Coach, LSU 1966
Dub Jones Football, Tulane, NFL 1982
Esther Jones Track, LSU 2007
Ken Kavanaugh Football, LSU, NFL 1970
Pam Kelly (Flowers) Basketball, Louisiana Tech 1994
Kenny Konz Football, LSU, NFL 2000
Venus Lacy Pro Basketball, Louisiana Tech, USA Olympic Team 2014
Ernie Ladd Football, Grambling, AFL, NFL 1994
Dwight "Bo" Lamar Basketball, University of Southwestern Louisiana 1984
Maxie Lambright Football Coach, Louisiana Tech 1986
Hank Lauricella Football, New Orleans 1983
Lester Lautenschlaeger Football, Football Coach, Tulane 1983
Janice Lawrence (Braxton) Pro Basketball, Louisiana Tech, USA Olympic Team 2005
Walter Ledet Track & Field Coach, Northwestern State University 1995
Bill Lee Major League Baseball, Plaquemine 1972
Eun Jung Lee (Ok) Basketball, Northeast Louisiana University 1998
Albert Lewis Football, Mansfield, Grambling, NFL 2004
Frank Lewis Football, Grambling 2006
Bob Love Basketball, Southern University, NBA 1983
Bobby Lowther Basketball, Track & Field, LSU 1995
Johnny Lynch Football Referee, New Orleans 1975
Lori Lyons Journalism, Loyola University 2023
Ted Lyons Major League Baseball, Lake Charles 1960
Terry McAulay Football Referee, LSU 2021
Charles McClendon Football Coach, LSU 1982
Dick McCloskey High School Football Coach, Hanson Memorial-Franklin 2003
Max McGee Football, Tulane, NFL 1984
Jimmy McGonagill Amateur Golf, Shreveport 1970
Bo McMillin Football Coach, Centenary 1964
Rudy Macklin Basketball, LSU, NBA 2005
Carl Maddox Athletic Director, LSU 1986
Ron Maestri Baseball Coach, University of New Orleans 1995
Faize Mahfouz High School Football Coach, Eunice, New Iberia 1981
Paul Mainieri Baseball Coach, LSU 2023
Karl Malone Basketball, Summerfield, Louisiana Tech, NBA 2008
Archie Manning Football, New Orleans Saints 1988
Eli Manning Football, New Orleans, NFL 2023
Peyton Manning Football, New Orleans, NFL 2019
Pete Maravich Basketball, LSU, NBA 1984
Oliver Marcelle Negro league baseball, Thibodaux, New Orleans 1996
Leonard Marshall Football, Franklin, LSU, NFL 2008
Eric Martin Football, LSU, New Orleans Saints 2006
Tommy Mason Football, Tulane, NFL 1981
Ben McDonald Baseball, MLB 2010
Abe Mickal Football, LSU 1970
Sheldon Mickles Journalism, LSU 2021
Rod Milburn Track and Field, Southern University, USA Olympics 1988
Fred Miller Football, LSU, NFL 1990
Sam Mills Football, New Orleans Saints 2001
Brian Mitchell Football, ULL, NFL 2007
J. D. Mooney Horse Racing Jockey, New Orleans 1976
Bernie Moore Football, Track Coach, LSU 1963
Jim Mora Football Coach, New Orleans Saints 2003
Al Moreau Track and Field, LSU 1963
Jackie Moreland Basketball, Louisiana Tech 1984
Johnny Morriss Track & Field, University of Southwestern Louisiana 1989
Kim Mulkey Basketball, Louisiana Tech, USA Olympic Team 1990
A.W. Mumford Football Coach, Southern University 1984
Charles Cotton Nash Basketball, Baseball, Lake Charles High School 1993
Calvin Natt Basketball, Northeast Louisiana University, NBA 1993
George Leon Nattin Jr. Basketball, Bossier High School, LSU Date missing[5]
Shaquille O'Neal Basketball, Louisiana State, NBA, USA Olympic Team 2013
Britni Sneed Newman Softball, LSU 2022
Mel Ott Major League Baseball, New Orleans 1963
Emmett Paré Tennis Coach, Tulane 1997
Robert Parish Basketball, Woodlawn-Shreveport, Centenary, NBA 2001
Raymond "Buddy" Parker Football, Centenary, NFL 1991
Mel Parnell Major League Baseball, New Orleans 1963
Willie Pastrano Professional Boxing, New Orleans 1965
Audrey "Mickey" Patterson (Tyler) Track and Field, New Orleans, USA Olympics 2000
John Pennel Track & Field, Northeast Louisiana University 1976
Warren Perkins Basketball, Tulane, NBA 2007
Craig Perret Horse Racing Jockey, New Orleans 2006
Jimmy Perrin Professional Boxing, New Orleans 1965
Kim Perrot Basketball, ULL, WNBA 2007
John Petitbon Football, Notre Dame, NFL 1998
Richie Petitbon Football, Tulane, NFL 1992
Bob Pettit Basketball, LSU, NBA 1973
Jelly Pigott High School Basketball Coach, Jena 2008
Howie Pollet Major League Baseball, New Orleans 1981
Harold Porter Track & Field, University of Southwestern Louisiana 1997
H. Lee Prather Basketball Coach, Northwestern State University 1965
Eddie Price Football, Tulane 1975
Greg Procell High School Basketball, Ebarb 1988
Joe Profit Football, Monroe, Northeast Louisiana University 1999
Harry Rabenhorst Coach, LSU 1970
Gary Reasons Football, Northwestern State University, NFL 1997
Willis Reed Basketball, Grambling, NBA 1981
Bill Reigel Basketball, McNeese State University 1988
Dutch Reinhardt Basketball Coach, University of Southwestern Louisiana 1986
Nick Revon Basketball, New Orleans 2002
Shane Reynolds Major League Baseball, Bastrop 2014
J. R. Richard Major League Baseball, Vienna 1988
Ham Richardson Tennis, Tulane University 1983
Willie Roaf Football, Louisiana Tech, New Orleans Saints, NFL 2009
Isiah Robertson Football, Southern University, NFL 1996
Johnny Red Robertson High School Football Coach, Ferriday 2002
Scotty Robertson Basketball Coach, Louisiana Tech, NBA 1997
Rick Robey Basketball, New Orleans 2006
Tony Robichaux Baseball Coach, McNeese State, University of Louisiana 2022
Eddie Robinson Football Coach, Grambling 1985
Johnny Robinson Football, LSU, NFL 1984
Randy Romero Horse Racing Jockey, Erath 2005
Rolland Romero Track and Field, Loyola, US. Olympic Team 1974
Connie Ryan Major League Baseball, New Orleans 1993
Nick Saban Football Coach, LSU 2020
Leo Sanford Football, Louisiana Tech, NFL 1990
Michael Sanders Basketball, DeRidder, UCLA, NBA 2000
Tony Sardisco Football, Shreveport, Tulane, AFL 2004
Glynn Saulters Basketball, Northeast Louisiana University 1981
Rags Scheuermann Baseball Coach, Delgado, Loyola 1990
Clark Shaughnessy Football Coach, Tulane, Loyola 1970
Don Shows Football Coach, Louisiana Tech, West Monroe 2011
James Silas Basketball, Tallulah, ABA 1995
Monk Simons Football, Tulane 1969
Jackie Smith Football, Northwestern State University, NFL 1983
Lee Smith Major League Baseball, Castor 2003
Neil Smith Football, New Orleans, NFL 2004
Bobby Spell Professional Softball, Lake Charles 1977
Freddie Spencer Motorcycle Racing, Shreveport 2009
Rusty Staub Major League Baseball, New Orleans 1989
Jerry Stovall Football, LSU 1981
George "Bo" Strickland Baseball, New Orleans 2006
Pat Studstill Football, Shreveport, NFL 1999
Dave Styron Track & Field, Northeast Louisiana University 1977
Don Styron Track & Field, Northeast Louisiana University 1977
Hal Sutton Golf, PGA 2009
Pat Swilling Football, New Orleans Saints 2007
Edna Tarbutton High School Basketball Coach, Baskin 1993
Jim Taylor Football, LSU 1974
Rosey Taylor Football, Grambling, NFL 1996
Red Thomas Basketball, Northwestern State University 1969
Sheila Thompson (Johnson) Basketball, Louisiana College, Pitkin 2006
Gaynell Tinsley Football, LSU 1959
Y. A. Tittle Football, LSU, NFL 1972
Charlie Tolar Football, Northwestern State University, AFL 1991
Andrew Toney Basketball, University of Southwestern Louisiana, NBA 1992
Emmett Toppino Track and Field, Loyola 1981
Jack Torrance Track and Field, LSU 1961
Harry Turpin Football Coach, Northwestern State University 1974
Steve Van Buren Football, LSU, NFL 1961
Mike Vining College basketball coach 2010
Sparky Wade Basketball, LSU 1962
Joyce Walker Basketball, LSU, Harlem Globetrotters 1997
Everson Walls Football, Grambling, NFL 1998
Ralph Ward Basketball Coach, McNeese State University 1991
Ron Washington Baseball Coach, New Orleans 2023
Teresa Weatherspoon Basketball, Louisiana Tech, WNBA, USA Olympic Team 2010
Rickie Weeks Jr. Baseball, Southern University 2021
Barbara White Boddie Golf, Shreveport 2008
Sammy White Football, Grambling, NFL 1995
Aeneas Williams Football, New Orleans, Southern, NFL 2008
Doug Williams Football, Grambling, NFL 1993
Kyle Williams Football, LSU, NFL 2022
Earl "Moose" Wilson Major League Baseball, Ponchatoula 1996
Larry Wilson Basketball 2010
Roy "Moonie" Winston Football, LSU, NFL 1991
M. L. Woodruff Baseball Coach, Baton Rouge 2023
Orlando Woolridge Basketball 2010
Jim Wynn Louisiana Sports Writers Association 2006
Tank Younger Football, Grambling, NFL 1973
Don Zimmerman Football, Tulane 1975

References

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  1. ^ a b "Long Road: After years of waiting Sports Hall of Fame to open Friday'". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  2. ^ "Jason Pugh, "Worthwhile wait ends Friday for Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum", June 26, 2013". Shreveport Times. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  3. ^ "Ronnie Rantz tabbed to lead Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation". The Advocate. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  4. ^ "Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame postpones its 2020 induction ceremony". The Times. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  5. ^ "Obituary: George Nattin, Jr". Bossier Press-Tribune. September 30, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
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