Didn’t that happen already? Yes, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2020 at the end of June.
There’s another induction coming up? Yes. The Hall of Fame will honor the Class of 2021 next weekend, Aug. 26-28 in Natchitoches.
Due to last summer’s pandemic limitations, the Class of 2020 was delayed until this summer, and the induction of the Class of 2021 shifted to the end of August. All state protocols, notably masking and social distancing, will be observed during the upcoming events.
The 2021 LSHOF inductees are headlined by New Orleans Saints star receiver Marques Colston, Major League Baseball All-Star Rickie Weeks from Southern University, and three of LSU’s greatest competitors – basketball’s Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, football stalwart Glenn Dorsey and national-champion track coach Pat Henry.
Baton Rouge ties connect five members of the LSHOF Class of 2021. Baton Rouge native Courtney Blades Rogers, considered one of college softball’s best pitchers of all time at Nicholls and Southern Mississippi, joins the trio of LSU competitors, along with LSU alumnus Terry McAulay, a Hammond native who in a 20-year NFL officiating career refereed three Super Bowls. Now the NBC Sports officiating analyst for Sunday Night Football and Notre Dame football, McAuley is the 2021 winner of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.
The LSHOF Class of 2021 also showcases Natchitoches native and 1980 Bassmaster Classic champion Villis “Bo” Dowden, chosen as one of the 35 greatest pro anglers of all-time in a joint ESPN Outdoors/BASS package in 2004.
Inducted as winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism will be trailblazing New Orleans television sports anchor Ro Brown, former Northwestern State sports information director and longtime Hall of Fame chairman Doug Ireland. and Baton Rouge Advocate sportswriter Sheldon Mickles.
The 2021 Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, Aug. 26 with a press conference carried live on Cox Sports Television, followed by a free to the public reception at 5 at the Hall of Fame museum. The three-day festivities include two receptions, a free youth clinic, a bowling party, and a free Friday night riverbank concert in Natchitoches. The full schedule of events and purchases for ticketed events culminating with the Induction Ceremony are available through the LaSportsHall.com website or by calling 318-238-4255.
The Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com. Standard and customized sponsorships are available.
