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Hi everyone.

I'm Christina Jensen, and I'm Johnny Atkinson.

This week we're kicking off our Summer SWI series, where we'll be bringing you a look back at some of our past stories, and we'll also be sharing some fun new content.

This week is all about sports, starting with the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

12 people will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend in Natchitoches.

From sportswriters to big time athletes, and Victor Howell has hosted the event for several years now.

Victor, the inductees are the main event, but there's so much more going on this weekend.

It's a tremendous weekend, and thank you very much for saying all about sports.

I like this, it's almost like you're giving me a gift here for sports, but this is a big deal for the state and for the city of Natchitoches as well.

Really huge for all of the communities, Louisiana athletes, former coaches and players, their families, fans as a whole.

They go down to the Natchitoches community who welcome them with open arms.

It's a jam packed weekend of events celebrating all things Louisiana sports.

What it means to this town is you welcome not only the celebrities, the superstars, the Duane Struthers and and Todd McClure's and Joe Horns and Sylvia Fowls.

But you welcome their people and their friends and their family, and it's such an opportunity not only to celebrate these people, but to get to know them, have fun with them, show them a good time.

And in turn, this community has a great time.

Things kicked off Thursday night with a welcome reception at the Hall of Fame Museum.

All the inductees were there, along with fans and supporters getting to enjoy a happy hour, great local food and live entertainment.

Then Friday afternoon, they took part in the Celebrity Bowling bash down in Alexandria.

Sounds like an odd fit, but it's always hilarious and one of the best times for the inductees.

Current and former inductees put on their wildest bowling shirts and get pretty competitive.

It's all in the flick of the wrist itself, you know it's not going this way, it's going this way, and it's the way you grab the ball.

It's the way you position your hand on the ball.

So it kind of works both ways.

But I'm struggling a little bit right now.

But I'll find my rhythm.

I'll find my group.

After bowling, everyone heads to the banks of the cane River for Rock and Riverfest on Front Street in Natchitoches.

There's more live music activities for the kids, and formal introductions of all the 2026 inductees, culminating with a massive fireworks show, a great event that's free and open to the public.

And if that's not enough, or if you're looking for something a little more exclusive, there's the VIP taste of Tailgating, where you can have some outstanding food and drinks and just have a wonderful time.

That leads up to Saturday, when it's all about the kids at the junior training camp.

Will there learn some skills and get words of wisdom from the pros?

Work hard.

I think setting goals is a good thing, whether it's in school, in sports, and then have dreams and then, you know, work as hard as you can to try to achieve those dreams and accomplish those goals.

The kids, ages 8 to 16, will run football and basketball drills led by Hall of Fame inductees, along with coaches and athletes from Northwestern State.

Now, following that is the main event Saturday night, when the 2026 class of inductees will be welcomed into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

And that's an end to a wonderful weekend.

Here's a look again at the 12 inductees.

Now, you've had athletes and coaches from high school and the college ranks outstanding pro athletes along with sports leaders, journalists, ambassadors, and so much more.

Let's focus on some of them individually.

And we're going to give you a recap with them all.

And we'll start at the top.

Hard to find a bigger name in Louisiana sports than Big Syl.

Talk about Sylvia.

Fouls.

You might remember we talked to Big Syl exclusively here on LPB last year, when she was announced as being inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

During her time at LSU, she led the Lady Tigers to four NCAA Final Fours, went on to win four gold medals for the U.S.

team in the Olympics, and won two WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx.

She was also named one of the top 25 players all time in the WNBA, where she's now back as an assistant coach in Portland.

She's had her jersey number retired by both LSU and the Minnesota Lynx, and Saturday, she will take her rightful place in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as one of the best to ever do it.

Another member of the class of 2026 for the Hall of Fame is former raging Cajun and Major league all star Jonathan Lucroy.

He starred for three years at catcher in Lafayette for the Raging Cajuns, and was the third round selection in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, where he earned a pair of All-Star game appearances in both 2014 and in 2016.

He was also fourth in voting for the 2014 National League Most Valuable Player Award as part of his outstanding 12 year big league career.

Now as a Cajun, Lucroy led the team to two Sun Belt titles and in the majors.

The Baseball Scholar lists him as one of the top 20 players all time to play for the Brewers, and now his career will be forever on display in Natchitoches.

Congratulations to him.

Hey, how about from Tioga, Louisiana?

Cathy Holloway is entering the hall as the Dave Dickson Sports Leadership Award recipient.

Holloway was the first female president of the state's High School Coaches Association, as well as president of the National High School Coaches Association.

She was elected to the state's High School Hall of Fame back in 1998, and in 2021 had an award named after her on the national level recognizing women of inspiration.

One week after celebrating her birthday, Cathy Holloway is celebrating her induction into the State Sports Hall of Fame as the Dave Dixon Sports Leadership Honoree.

Let's focus now on two college basketball coaches entering the hall on Saturday.

John Brady was having success as a small college head coach, but was approached with what many might have considered an impossible task, taking over from legendary LSU coach Dale Brown.

Well, Brady took over a program hit with NCAA sanctions, but didn't let that stop him from creating a winning culture.

As Tiger head coach, he won 58% of his games, led the Tigers to two appearances for NCAA tournament appearances, and made it to the Final Four in Indianapolis back in 2006.

That year, LSU also won the SEC regular season title for the first time in 21 years.

He eventually went on to coach at Arkansas State before retiring back in New Orleans after the conference tournament in 2016.

Congrats to Coach Brady on his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

And boy, it should be a rousing night to wrap things up in Natchitoches for their hometown hero coach Mike McConaughey, who will also enter the hall.

McConaughey is the winningest college basketball coach in state history, not just with the demons, and his entire basketball history.

Has Louisiana stamped all over a standout player at Airline High School, a tremendous college career at Louisiana Tech, then a coach at Bossier City Community College and Northwestern State.

In all, he racked up 682 victories, one of the highlights being the 14th seeded demons, beating number three Iowa in the NCAA tournament.

There are five current NCAA coaches with ties to Maconochie, who had the floor at Northwestern State named after him one year ago.

He's already in the Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State Halls of Fame, and now he enters the state, one where he will be celebrated Saturday night in his town in Natchitoches with Northwestern State just down the road.

It should be a wonderful night Saturday night.

Now, we talked about some of those highlighted ones, but how about some of the what about what we focused on Warren Morris one week ago.

Remember the former LSU and Major League Baseball player?

He's receiving the Sports Ambassador award.

There are two inductees receiving distinguished service awards in journalism.

Gill, who has a sportswriting career spanning five decades, and John James Marshall, an outstanding, multi-time award winning writer and radio host in Shreveport.

Back on the field, former Saints wide receiver Joe Horn enters the hall.

A four time Pro Bowler who helped lead the Saints to the NFC South title and a playoff appearance in his very first season in the Big Easy.

Another one of the really good guys.

After playing three sports at Central High School, former LSU center Todd McClure spent four seasons with the Tigers in the mid to late 90s, before an NFL career that lasted 14 seasons in Atlanta.

Dwayne Strother ranked second nationally and first in the state in high school girls basketball wins, racking up 1235 victories in a 40 year career at Florin High School and from Monroe, Pat Williams played football at Texas A&M.

He went undrafted, but that didn't stop him from an incredible 14 year career on the defensive lines for both the Buffalo Bills and the Minnesota Vikings.

So you can see we have baseball, we have football, we have coaches, administrators, journalists.

And the city of Natchitoches is so wonderful welcoming everybody.

It will be a tremendous weekend at the Sports Hall of Fame.

And you get to see it right here live Saturday night starting at 7:00.

If you can't make it to the ceremony, join us from your TV.

Watch it right here on LP.

I was just going to say I'm excited to watch the broadcast.

Yes, indeed.

It'll be wonderful and I hope you will.

And there's a live broadcast.

Absolutely.

It'll be live.

George was like, you're there with us.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks, Victor.

Well, now we're taking you back a little to the 2025 baseball season when the LSU Shreveport Pilots made history.

The team went undefeated 59 zero, knocking in the largest win streak in college baseball history.

Victor talked to head coach Brad Dourif back in November of 2025, right after the pilots perfect season.

What a feel good story was for the baseball team last year at LSU Shreveport, the first perfect season.

They've been recognized by the president up in Washington, D.C.

they won the national championship in the Naia, and then earlier this week had a chance to spend the evening at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Looking back on this season and also an exhibit now, so you folks at home can go up there and see it as well.

We are pleased to be joined by the head coach at LSU.

S Brad and joining us, coach.

Thanks so much for spending time with us here.

And let's first start with the night that you had in Natchitoches earlier this week.

What was that like for you and for the team to see an exhibit go up in the State Hall of Fame to recognize the season you all had?

It was great.

I mean, obviously, all the recognition that the program and everybody involved has continued to receive has been great.

But to be able to, you know, be recognized in that format in the state of Louisiana, next to some of the, you know, the biggest names and teams and success that's ever come about in this state.

I think it's great, and I think it's great for our players.

Did you learn anything from the stories that have been told from the players, or maybe from the coaches, maybe from you that you've realized since the since you all were crowned national champions?

Have you all as you have been celebrating this?

Have any new stories come out or have you gained any different perspective on the winds?

No, I mean, more so when you when you hear the guys talk a little bit, you know, more in depth after they've been away from it.

Just just the impact that that teams have, you know, not only just within this program but ultimately outside of it, from the city to the university to to people that, you know, just come and watch.

It's, you know, getting to, you know, something that you realize goes on, but you don't realize it to the full extent until you're, you know, I wouldn't say removed from it, but from my team and hear people starting to to go more in depth into it.

I looked at your schedule.

I know you had two games early in the season, one, you had to come back with six runs, I think in the final two innings to win it by one.

At what point, or was there a point when you and the coaching staff said, you know what, we got a shot at this.

We're not quit worrying about the next game.

If we can win the next 3 or 4, we're setting history.

Did that ever set in for you in the team?

Maybe towards the end of the regular season.

But obviously, you know, we tried not to think about that much.

But I think as you know, as a coach and as a coaching staff, the more you each game started going and saw how well we were playing, we knew it was going to take something special by whoever else we were playing lined up against, you know, another dugout with a different uniform on that.

They were going to have to play their best baseball when we were playing our best to have, you know, they're almost have to play perfect.

And we were going to have to have something go completely wrong and tough to think about that.

I think the one point I think I thought more than anything that we maybe had a chance of, you know, dropping one was that final national championship game.

We had stuff going against us and stuff going the opposite direction that had an all year long, and then we kind of snapped out of it.

So yeah, it's amazing, coach, when you look at it and I know you were down early in that title game and then you got your guys responded right away.

Have you ever just sat back and go, wow, we didn't have one one bobble, one area that could have gone either way?

Honestly a little bit.

This last week.

We were in our last week, had our Fall World Series here, and we were playing it with just enough on both sides of the ball with a position player standpoint to be able to do it because we had seven guys out position player wise, and a lot of them were major impact guys that we need in the spring, and I think they'll be back.

But I was just sitting here looking at it, going, my gosh, I mean, how easy it is for one guy to drop at a time.

And we didn't even have that happen last year.

So it's one thing to win a national title, but to not lose a game, you have to have every single thing go your way.

And I felt that we did for that entire year and coach with that run, certainly a magical run, and it's so worth reliving, but has a bit of an irony here that you're at the Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches and you're celebrating last season, and your schedule just came out for next season.

I know as a coach you're ready to move forward, but how difficult is that balance for you?

Because, as you mentioned, you did something that nobody has ever done on any level.

And you were telling me before these players deserved the recognition.

But then again, you're two months away from starting the upcoming campaign.

So how do you balance with that?

Well, I think you still have to use it to your advantage a little bit.

In regards to the teaching, I think we've done a really good job as a program not being caught up in last year, but we used last year in other years, as you know, just to help kind of enlighten them.

And it helps us, you know, continue to to get across why we're doing what we're doing and how we teach it, who we are and just the things that we're built off here for the players they deserve for something they've done so special, to continue to be recognized at the highest of all, highest.

Before I let you go, coach, let me ask you on the personal side, because I know you are focused at what point you've been to the white House, you met the president, you had a wonderful night at the State Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Has there been a point where you just sat back to absorb it, or is there maybe one thing that stands out for you on the personal level, as you reflect back as the journey you all had one year ago?

I've had some moments, but I think it's tough.

I think it's tougher for a coach, you know, because it comes so quick and go so quick, and then when it's done, it's done.

I think it's more so reflecting back on just the people that we had, and we've got some of those people back.

And, you know, you're only as successful as the people that you had.

And we just had such an incredible group last year from not only just the players, the coaches, the support staff, the people in the city that supported us, the school, just everybody involved.

And I think that's what you strive to have each year, whether you can be successful at the highest level or not.

It's about the people that you have because that's what you remember the most.

And that's the one thing when I look back on it, unbelievably special what these guys did, but it's it's who they did and how they did it together or who they were and how they did it together.

Coach, I know the expectations are there.

You come out preseason number one.

I know you've got a lot of ranked teams on your schedule in the first 3 to 4 weeks, from the white House to the State Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, getting ready to start another season.

Coach Brad, thanks so much for joining us.

Coach.

Congratulations.

It's great sharing the stories and we wish you the best of luck with the new season.

It's about to get on the way.

Thank you very much.

I truly appreciate it.

And we saw some more incredible baseball earlier this year, but this one was a little different.

The Savannah Bananas played several games at the Superdome in New Orleans, and for one of the players, it was the chance of a lifetime.

Morgan City native Bryce always dreamed of playing pro ball, and the chance to play on Louisiana's biggest stage made those dreams come true.

Check it out.

America's pastime of baseball has had a sinking audience in recent years.

Now second to football in the national polls.

But another form of baseball is now growing fast across the country.

Welcome to the Savannah Banana.

Baseball.

Bringing their high energy tour to Louisiana.

Caesar.

Superdome.

You can forget everything you know about traditional baseball.

Banana ball is a nonstop party often called the greatest show in sports.

This is awesome, man.

It's not like anything we've ever seen before.

It's super exciting.

We are so excited to be here.

Savannah banana baseball is an edge of your seat.

Growing sports league, touring the country and playing year round and attracting people of all ages.

This is amazing.

Amazing.

What are you going to see?

I hope to see some good players.

I think it's super cool to be here because it's like a once in a lifetime moment.

I ain't got no words and I'm just so happy.

Ever since my coach told me about them, I just wanted to see them play.

Ever since the bananas took the field this past weekend at the Superdome and for rookie Bryce Garza.

It was the chance of a lifetime.

He was trying to figure out what I wanted to do in my life.

You know, whether I wanted to coach or, you know, get a real job.

Yeah.

I was randomly checking my Instagram DMs one day, and Banana Ball reached out to me and invited me to a tryout.

Next thing you know, I want you to try out.

Absolutely killed it.

And here I am.

Bryce Garza was a three sport star at Central Catholic High School in Morgan City, where he won a baseball championship and was named MVP in 2019.

What's it like playing in the Superdome?

Yeah, it's it's unbelievable man.

Words can't describe how crazy this is.

Last night was crazy.

And we're gonna look to make today even crazier.

Excitement built for the bananas when two of New Orleans biggest sports names took to the field.

First came current Saints quarterback Tyler Shuck, stepping onto the field and throwing a touchdown pass, followed by New Orleans legend Drew Brees, who stepped up to the plate with a bat, demonstrating the legend he created in New Orleans.

Baby!

Let's go!

Tyler Gillum is the head coach of the bananas.

He says that when the league was created, they didn't realize how fast its fan base would grow.

When we first created a banana ball, everybody said, we're crazy.

This is never going to work, and we're about to sell out the New Orleans Superdome two nights in a row.

The creators of Banana Ball noticed that fans often left the stadium early because the games were just too slow, so they came up with their own rules.

So what are some of the rules to make Banana Ball different?

Yeah, we've got the two hour time limit, which pretty much ensues that we're going to play nine innings within the two hour time limit.

More rules keeping fans in their seats or the batters staying in the batter's box.

No coach visits to the mound and no walks.

There's also an extra tall pitcher.

What are you doing up there?

Oh, you know, just creating smiles, I tell you.

That's what I try to do all across the country.

And the bananas mascot is a seven foot tall banana named split.

Known for his high energy dance moves and interaction with fans.

The league is growing, with banana ball competition teams growing and now a 16 competitive structure where any team can win.

So it's cool to see a lot of people come in and they've been waiting for this moment, and then they leave with a smile on their face and a bunch of memories.

It's going to be the most entertainment that you've ever seen in a sporting event.

Our goals when people walk away, they say, this is the most fun sporting event that I've ever been to, watching the fast growing sport of Banana Ball.

You can see an umpire, moonwalking pitcher doing back flips, and even a batter walking on stilts.

And banana ball is now selling out Major League Baseball and football stadiums, like this week's games in the Caesar Superdome.

Next coming in.

Finally, a native of Zachary, Louisiana, has developed into a powerhouse in the world of competitive dance, both nationally and internationally.

Genesis Scott graduated from college earlier this year and kicked off the next step in her career, leading one of the nation's top HBCUs somewhere they've never been collegiate national dance competitions.

Well, if you're in the competitive dance world or in a hip hop, you know my guest right here.

If not, she's a six time national champion Baton Rouge native who has been a competitor out at UNLV, just won two national titles two months ago down in Orlando.

It's Genesis Scott joining us.

Genesis, it is great to see you.

Welcome.

Yes.

Thank you so much for having me.

It's good to have you here.

We have a lot to talk about because you're about to make a big splash in the dance world.

We'll talk about that in a moment.

But first of all, congratulations on the national championship.

Not just hip hop, but game day.

How was it for you and how is it for you being a Baton Rouge native, performing for UNLV, going up against one of your, if not your biggest rival in LSU?

Yeah, it's actually funny you asked that.

I am about native.

My mom was an alumni of LSU, so I grew up in Death Valley.

I loved going to the football games.

I love the ambiance and I've always been, you know, a lover of LSU in Baton Rouge, however, I had a certain dream, you know, I had a certain dream that required a different area of me.

And I feel like, unfortunately, Baton Rouge, as much as I loved it, as much as I wanted to stay here and, you know, pursue my passion, it didn't serve the areas that I needed to be fed.

So I had to go elsewhere.

And luckily, I was able to find home in Las Vegas.

And they took me in and really embraced me, not just for what I could be for their program, but for what I already was, you know what I mean?

And they challenged me in ways that I could have never imagined.

Definitely.

I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I first took that route, but I now sitting here five years later, I'm so glad that I did.

And this field is competitive.

You also cheer for the WNBA team out there for Las Vegas Las Vegas Aces.

How has this evolved since you left Baton Rouge and went to in a V, in terms of the level and style of competition, because it seems almost impossible for those with the naked eye to see how you all better yourself from what you did the year before, how this is elevating.

It's funny, I started when I was in middle school, actually.

I was been doing this for 12 years and when I first started, it was just something that I was interested in.

You know, there was not this public eye on it at all, but I stayed true to it because I was really, really excited about it.

And at the time it was entertainment, if anything, you know, entertainment and pushing the art form forward and forward and forward.

But now in the college space, dancers have fought so hard for recognition as athletes that we've pushed ourselves far beyond, far beyond, far beyond.

And at this point, it's become it's unfathomable, honestly, what some of these dancers can do with their bodies and, you know, the athleticism and not just the athleticism, but also the grace that comes with dance.

We're talking about real skills that are being put into these artistic displays.

You know, you're about to make a huge splash from Baton Rouge.

You go to UNLV and now from Las Vegas, you're about to go to Atlanta, Spelman College.

You just made a big announcement on social media that you are now the new choreographer for Spelman, and it's the first time for an HBCU to get ready to compete at UDA.

How did this come about for you?

Yeah, this is actually, first of all, I just want to say this is not just inspiring to me as a choreographer, but as a black female dancer coming up in this space like it is.

It's huge.

You know?

I'm very excited about it.

I was reached out to by their founder.

Her name is Jillian.

She is a really, really great student there at Spelman.

She founded this program through her love for dance.

And it became, you know, and now they are reaching out and pursuing, going into the UDA space.

Going and fighting for representation has always been difficult for smaller programs in a space like this.

And I think it's time, you know, for a very, very long time, we've not really seen a whole lot of black female representation.

And Spelman is taking this leap, not just to say that we can do it or that it's our time, but because, you know, we belong here.

There has been black representation, not just in the dancing, but in the art form that is put on UDA stages.

There's hip hop, you know, there are things that are founded in black history, and it's great that there is a program that's willing to step up, be authentic and represent that.

It begs the question, why has why have HBCUs not actively participated in UDA?

Because what I found very interesting and very personal in your video is that you said, as a young black girl, you didn't have anybody that looked like you in the industry, if you will, to look up to now you are about to start something at a school that's never done this before.

So I'm sure on that personal side, there's there's an extra special feeling based on the way you grew up.

Of course.

Yes.

And you know, I can't answer that question.

Why exactly?

An HBCU has never entered this space.

I think at the end of the day, UDA was marketed towards universities and schools that maybe again, just didn't look like those HBCU.

They maybe didn't have those funds, they maybe didn't have those those backgrounds.

They didn't have those stylistic choices that are rooted in, you know what I mean?

Majorette style.

That is a huge, huge part of the dance culture in HBCUs, and it just simply wasn't celebrated there when UDA was first brought about.

It just simply wasn't the culture that was put on those big stages.

And the beautiful thing is that art has evolved and we've started to blend things more.

We started to appreciate each other in different cultures, and you see these amazing blends that are being put on the stage now.

And it's it's time for us to, as you know, black Americans to represent ourselves in these areas.

Great to see Baton Rouge natives making such a big splash on the national scene.

And I can't wait for Spelman and UNLV to have a showdown to see who you're going to be for when it goes down the stretch.

Hey, look, the fact that you're in town had a chance to catch up.

It's great to see you.

Congratulations on your success out West, and certainly best of luck with Spelman.

We look forward to seeing them in 2027.

You so much.

I hope you do well.

It's great to see Genesis Scott making big waves in the dance scenes nationally.

Well, that's her show for this week.

Remember you can watch anything LBB anytime, wherever you are with our LPB app and you can catch LPB news and public affairs shows, as well as other Louisiana programs that you've come to enjoy over the years.

And please like us on Facebook and Instagram for everyone at Louisiana Public Broadcasting, I'm Christina Jensen and I'm Johnny Atkinson.

Until next time.

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