Jan. 13, 2008

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association recently broke ground for the new Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum in Natchitoches.

The 18.3 million structure is expected to be open in the spring or summer of 2010. Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu was on hand to mark the ground breaking.

The facility will be located in downtown Natchitoches on the corner of Washington and Lafayette streets and construction is expected to begin sometime this year.

Among the locals on hand for the ceremony were McNeese State sports information director Louis Bonnette and Lake Charles American Press managing editor Bobby Dower. Both are members of the LSWA and former presidents of the organization.

Also, McNeese has two former athletes and two former coaches in the Hall of Fame. Joe Dumars is the last Cowboy to be selected to the Hall while also a member of the Hall are former football coach, athletic director and university president Jack Doland, former basketball coach Ralph O. Ward and former basketball player Bill Reigel.

Two former Cowboy football all-Americans - Buford Jordan and Leonard Smith - are nominees for the Hall of Fame.

In his remarks to Hall of Fame members, special guests, LSWA members and the general public, Landrieu said that the Hall of Fame building will be one of the best in the nation, representing the sports excellence of the state.

LSWA president Kent Lowe of LSU also made comments during the ceremony as did Natchitoches mayor Wayne McCullen, Northwestern State president Dr. .Randy Webb, Northwestern State vice president and former Hall of Fame director Jerry Pierce, Hall of Fame member Charlie Hennigan, current Hall of Fame director Doug Ireland and state representative Taylor Townsend, who was instrumental in obtaining the funds for the new building. The Hall of Fame will cover 27,000 square feet.

Pictured at the recent ground breaking ceremony for the LSWA Sports Hall of Fame are (left to right) former LSWA presidents Louis Bonnette, unidentified, Sheldon Mickles, Bobby Dower, Buddy Davis, Glenn Quebedeaux and Dan McDonald.