By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

No Shreveporter, and not many people anywhere, knows the Olympic Games experience better than Kendrick Farris. Not enough see it for what we should, he says.

It wasn’t long ago that Farris, 38, competed as a weightlifter for Team USA in three Olympic Games:  2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London and in Rio de Janerio in 2016.

He didn’t win a medal (yet*), but he did have impressive finishes, while setting an array of American records and personal bests. Because he was a staunch advocate and practitioner of drug free lifting, and due to advances in technology since he competed, Farris may eventually receive an Olympic medal. His best finish was eighth in the 85kg division in 2008, and a couple of disqualifications have moved him up to sixth currently.

But far be it for Farris, who rose to prominence under the guidance of LSUS’s Dr. Kyle Pierce,  to evaluate his Olympic career by competitive results. He’s proud of what he accomplished but far more ebullient about what he experienced.

“The concept of me even being an Olympian, when I graduated from (Byrd) high school in 2004, was unthinkable. I didn’t even qualify for the Olympic Trials, and that puts what has happened since in perspective for me,” said Farris, who was the top American in his class over a 12-year span, setting records that still stand.

It is the impacts away from competition that he treasurers most.

In Beijing, he said, “the experience was great. I met a lot of great people from all over, some I still converse with to this day.

“In London, it was tremendous because there was no language barrier, like there was in China. I had a phenomenal experience in both places, but I could see the differences and that’s taking out the language barrier in Beijing. In 2012 I was able to do a lot more that I considered fun, meeting more people and supporting them – folks on a day-to-day basis who just happen to be the best in the world at what they do. You can learn from anyone, but especially people like that, with different backgrounds, from different places.

“I was connected with people who were like-minded: who wanted to experience different things, ask questions, show respect toward one another. I learned a lot and sometimes got away from the tourist spots, got invited into homes for dinner, experienced the laughs and gestures of different cultures, and it was an incredible education. You have to be interested in learning new things, putting yourself in what some consider uncomfortable situations traveling, and then you factor in competing, the reason you are there,” he said. “But it’s about more. I believe interacting with people is something we have to do.

Farris’s first Olympics were in a restrictive Communist country. Four years later, he was in the extraordinarily blended British culture, and his last Games were in ebullient Brazil. He and teammates had guides at each stop. “There was always the list of do’s and don’ts, and we had a concierge with us each time to help guide us,” he said.

With the Games lasting just a couple of weeks, and held only every four years, Farris was determined to take in as much as he could.

“You can feel it. You know it’s a very, very unique environment with a very brief opportunity to make the most of it, and I believe I did,” he said.

Farris’ scope of Olympic sports interests began by reflecting on a favorite movie from his younger days.

“It’s funny now. When I was growing up, Forrest Gump was a popular movie and that character went to the Olympics as a table tennis player, so I was drawn to our athletes in that sport. One of them, Lily Zhang, is still competing (in her fourth Olympics, having reached the round of 16 in women’s singles). I love that sport.

“Track and field, field hockey, synchronized swimming, water polo … I met so many incredible athletes. Taekwondo players, some from judo and wrestling, who I met in training or in the dining hall, and I got to support them and appreciate a lot of sports I hadn’t heard about.”

Farris and his wife Brittany are raising six children, ranging from 18 years old to 8 months, four sons and two daughters. As he watches the Paris Games, his sense of family expands immensely.

“I can sit there and see it, exactly, for what it is. This moment in time, whatever game they’re doing, those are somebody’s children out there. It is a pretty cool moment.

“I’m hoping everybody is able to do what they’ve done to get to that moment, or even better. If you set a personal record, it doesn’t matter what place you finish, you did the best you’ve ever done on that stage. I can see inside the production, feel the sincerity, if people are frustrated or angry, or if they are in the moment and thrilled at the outcome. I just want the best for everybody. All these people competing, from countries around the world, and no matter how intense they are, at the end there is a sportsmanship and a mutual respect when it finishes, and that can last forever.

“Being a part of it is very surreal. It showed me the possibility of what we could actually do on Earth. If people could be still for that moment, none of this other negativity is going on, how can we not refocus on the universal spirit of the Games?

“I actually know it’s a possibility,” said Farris. “ I have friendships around the world now and it’s not something that happens every four years. Those continue every day, every week, every month. It’s encouraging. We need to sustain the Olympic spirit.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Calvary Baptist won its fourth state championship in 2023 and junior running back James Simon was a big reason as the Cavaliers’ star had his biggest game of the season in the playoffs — a school-record rushing performance in a quarterfinal win over Parkview Baptist.

Simon, a University of Texas commit, ran for 324 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns in the Cavs’ 49-28 defeat of Parkview in the quarterfinals. His total eclipsed the Calvary record held by Kordavion Washington who had 322 yards in a 44-40 win over Peabody in 2016. Simon’s total is ninth on the all-time Shreveport-Bossier single-game list.

Second on the 2023 list is Jamarlon Otis’ 313 yards, a Captain Shreve record for a single game. Otis set the mark with 21 carries and scored three touchdowns in the season-opening win over Loyola. His total is tied for 15th on the Shreveport-Bossier list.

Parkway sophomore Antonio Gladney had a pretty good start to his season with last fall’s third-best rushing total of 266 yards on 23 carries. He also scored four times in a wild 43-41 defeat of Minden in the season opener.

Haughton running back Chris Mayes had only 12 yards on 12 carries entering his senior season and did not have a carry in 2023 when the Bucs’ starting back fell ill in warmups for the Southwood game. Mayes’ opportunity came and he responded with scoring runs of 96 and 97 yards on his way to 241 yards, the third most in Haughton history.

Top 20 rushing performances for 2023

22-324, James Simon, Calvary, vs. Parkview Baptist, 4 TDs, Nov. 24

21-313, Jamarlon Otis, Captain Shreve, vs. Loyola, 3 TDs, Aug. 31

23-266, Antonio Gladney, Parkway, vs. Minden, 4 TDs, Sept. 1

21-245, Jamarlon Otis, Captain Shreve, vs. Airline, 3 TDs, Oct. 6

10-241, Chris Mayes, Haughton, vs. Southwood, 2 TDs, Sept. 29

28-205, Desmond Simmons, Byrd, vs. Airline, 0 TDs, Oct. 20

9-192, Malachi Johnson, Byrd, vs. Haughton, 3 TDs, Oct. 6

30-191, James Simon, Calvary, vs. St. Charles Catholic, 3 TDs, Dec. 9

25-190, Jamarlon Otis, Captain Shreve, vs. Byrd, 2 TDs, Sept. 21

23-172, Patrick Gosslee, Loyola, vs. Ascension Episcopal, 1 TD, Nov. 17

12-169, Christian Turner, Haughton, vs. Red River, 3 TDs, Sept. 1

11-165, Malachi Johnson, Byrd, vs. Huntington, 5 TDs, Sept. 7

24-163, Quortni Beaner, Captain Shreve, vs. Benton, 4 TDs, Oct. 26

13-163, Quortni Beaner, Captain Shreve, vs. Haughton, 4 TDs, Nov. 3

10-157, Jontavious Mobery, Byrd, vs. Benton, 3 TDs, Sept. 28

22-155, James Simon, Calvary, vs. Newman, 1 TD, Dec. 1

38-151, Greg Manning, Benton, vs. Northwood, 4 TDs, Sept. 1

Contact Lee at leeh051@hotmail.com

By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information Director

 NATCHITOCHES – Tynes Hildebrand had an eye for talent – whether it was on the basketball court or for molding college athletic administrators. There’s no more prominent figure in the latter group today than Greg Sankey, the Southeastern Conference commissioner, who cut his administrative teeth as an intern under Hildebrand at Northwestern State.

Hildebrand, the longtime cornerstone of the Demons’ athletic department, passed away Sunday at the age of 93, leaving a legacy of coaching victories on the court and a professional network of administrators that tops out at the highest level of Division I competition.

Hildebrand coached Northwestern State’s men’s basketball team to 191 victories in 16 seasons. His work as Northwestern State’s director of athletics for 13 years, however, stands of equal or greater importance.

Just a couple months ago came the final accolade in Hildebrand’s decorated career – the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches’ Don Landry Award, given for only the fourth time in three decades to recognize distinguished service and significant contributions to the game.

That award followed induction into Northwestern’s N-Club Hall of Fame in 1985, the Southland Conference Hall of Honor in 1999, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as the 2014 Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award winner and Northwestern State’s Long Purple Line Alumni Hall of Distinction in 2022.

Detailed preparation defined Hildebrand’s tenure on the sidelines and in the top spot in NSU’s athletic department. It did the same when it came to his home.

“He was meticulous about his yard,” said Pat Nolen Pierson, a Pitkin native who became a Lady Demon basketball standout and later an ultra-successful head coach. “He didn’t have a lot of outside hobbies, but his yard was manicured to perfection. We teased him that not one blade of grass was out of place and not one was longer than the other.”

Shortly after her playing days ended – just two years later – Pierson became the head women’s basketball coach, taking over for the 1978-79 season. She benefited from Hildebrand’s ability and willingness to mentor younger coaches and, later, burgeoning administrators.

“He was a wonderful mentor,” she said. “He always was very willing to share. If he had some different kind of offense or defense, he was happy to go over it with me. He never made me feel like he didn’t have time to answer my questions. Early in my career, I didn’t have an assistant coach and I had a conflict with practice. He came and practiced my team for me. He was that giving to let go of his busy schedule. The girls laughed because he wouldn’t give them as many water breaks, but I always appreciated him doing that.”

Pierson also coached under Hildebrand’s watch when he became athletic director in 1983.

“It didn’t surprise me at all,” she said of Hildebrand going into athletic administration. “Even as a coach, he paid a lot of attention to detail. Administrators have to do that – dot the Is and cross the Ts. It was an easy transition based on his work ethic and personality.”

Those two traits – and a well-placed phone call from his wife, Julia – helped serve Hildebrand in his post-NSU career.

Following his retirement from NSU in 1996, Hildebrand began the third act of his collegiate athletics career, working with the Southland Conference as a men’s basketball officials observer – a position that came when his wife called then-Southland Commissioner Sankey, one of the “graduates” of Hildebrand’s internship program at Northwestern.

“Julia was the one who called me,” said Sankey, now one of the top power brokers in college athletics. “She told me, ‘You’ve got to find something for him to do.’ I didn’t have a lot of resources then, but we brought him on to help support our basketball officiating program. He got after it and eventually established himself nationally. It probably didn’t generate as much notoriety locally, but his work ethic and his attention to detail provided a valuable resource for officiating coordinators.”

Hildebrand’s quick climb up the officiating rung surprised no one.

Although his collection of infamous on-court disputes with referees may have seemed incongruous to Hildebrand becoming an officiating observer, those qualities served him well in his new role – one that saw him become one of the NCAA’s inaugural four regional officiating supervisors, helping choose officials for all rounds of March Madness from 2006 through 2014.

“Our deepest condolences are with his family,” NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt said. “Coach Hildebrand was beloved by all of those who worked with him at the NCAA. He brought such credibility to our officials program by virtue of his hard work and attention to detail. Whenever anyone questioned his credentials having come from a coaching background, he dug in and earned their trust with his work ethic and attention to detail. I think the coaches knew he had been in their shoes and had their best interests in mind while helping evaluate our officials.”

Much like the way Hildebrand climbed the ladder of his newfound profession, Sankey did so, working his way from Hildebrand’s internship program to the summit of the SEC. His relationship with Hildebrand opened the door for not only Sankey but many others to get their start in college athletics.

“When he started the program, there weren’t many people on the administrative side,” Sankey said. “I commend him for the creativity to go outside the boundaries of the state to find talented people and provide an opportunity. It was a two-way street – there was an opportunity provided and there was work to be done. When I went down to Natchitoches in late spring of ‘89 for a visit, the recitation of where people had come from surprised me. I was hearing Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania to Natchitoches, and he’d been able to use it as a launching pad to start careers.”

Sankey extolled the benefits of Hildebrand’s internship program that set the neophytes up for industry success once their time in the program was complete.

While the tangible benefits of the internship program continue to show themselves, it was something Hildebrand did repeatedly that stuck with Sankey and spoke to the essence of who Hildebrand was as a leader.

“You’d see him driving his gray Nissan pickup truck – often the wrong way down the one-way street in front of the fieldhouse – and you’d see the truck stop,” Sankey said. “He’d jump out, pick up a piece of paper or a piece of trash and throw it away. It showed even for him, there wasn’t anything too small to pay attention to.”

Shed Road is scheduled to be closed for a railroad crossing rehab. The location is in the 5000 block near I-220. The closure is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31 at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to reopen on Friday, Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. Citizens will need to detour and take alternative routes during this time.

Bossier residents wanting to stay cool and take a dip in a pool only have a few days left. Bossier City swimming pools will be closed for the season on Saturday, Aug. 3. Coach Clay Bohannon said, “It’s been a safe and fun summer and I appreciate all the citizens that support Bossier Parks and Recreation.”

Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter visits a different restaurant and tells you about the experience.

 By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services

 In the almost one year that I’ve written these reviews, none have featured a casino restaurant. I prefer to focus on locally owned places. However, we have five major casinos (and another one on the way), and all but one has a fine-dining restaurant open for locals, as well as guests of the casino’s hotel.

So, on a recent Friday night, I randomly chose The Vintage at Bally’s Casino & Hotel (451 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport), and asked a friend to join me.

Our visit did not begin well. At all.

We arrived at Bally’s 15 minutes prior to our seven o’clock reservation. That should have given us plenty of time to valet park and walk to the restaurant.

It didn’t.

When we pulled into the clearly marked “Valet” lane, the entire area at Bally’s entrance was congested with cars. We waited a couple of minutes and did not see any valets. So, we got out of our car and started walking, thinking there might be a valet desk. Only then, close to the front doors, was there a sign which read that Bally’s does not have valet parking.

Then why would you have a designated “Valet” lane?

So back to the car we went, resigned to having to drive across the street and park in the multi-level garage. We found a space on the second floor and began walking – and sweating – to the hotel. By the time we arrived, I was feeling sticky and uncomfortable. Not the way I wanted to feel when about to sit down for what I hoped would be a very nice dinner.

When my friend and I arrived at the restaurant’s check-in desk, we were told all reservations were

“On hold.” I didn’t know what that meant, nor did I receive an explanation. While we waited, my friend sat at the restaurant’s bar with hopes of ordering a glass of wine. Unfortunately, the bartender didn’t offer to take her order until several minutes had passed, and at just the time when we were called to our table.

As you can tell, this was not the best way to start our experience. In my head, I was already writing the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s first One Fork review.

Thankfully, after we were seated, things improved – though not right away. My friend and I were served a basket of assorted rolls, all which were hard enough to use on someone in self-defense. I selected a roll, took a bite, and chewed. And chewed. And chewed. By the time I finished, my jaws were sore.

But then came our server, Edin. Originally from Yugoslavia and now having lived in Shreveport 11 years, Edin was friendly and attentive. He was also well-versed on The Vintage’s menu items.

My friend and I decided to pass on the one of eight appetizer choices, and instead, have a side salad ($11) with our entrees’. Now, when two people go to a steakhouse, at least one has to have steak, right? My friend chose an eight-ounce Filet Mignon ($55). She ordered it cooked with a little pink on the inside. Edin said that was “medium well,” although I thought a “medium” cook would be more to my friend’s liking.

I went with Snapper Orleans ($49), a piece of Red Snapper topped with lump crab cream sauce and on a bed of spinach. My dish also came with roasted potatoes. We ordered a side of Roasted Corn ($12) to share.

As Edin walked toward the table with our salads, I began to get excited. The bowls were big, like the ones Newk’s used to use before going smaller. However, when served, the salad occupied only a small portion of the bowl. Think buying a big bag of chips, only to discover the bag is about three-quarters full. While the salad wasn’t large, it was good – a mix of greens, warm goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette, spiced pecans, and red onion.

After a reasonable wait, it was time for the main event. At first glance, my friend’s steak looked overcooked and dry. But looks can be deceiving. She cut into her steak, and while there wasn’t a hint of pink (I was right!), she said it was tender and juicy. While eating, my friend took note of the steak’s flavor, and that the steak remained warm until the last bite.

My snapper was a sizeable piece of fish, and the crab meat made the dish very filling. The snapper didn’t smell, nor taste, fishy. It was cooked just right and wasn’t heavy tasting. The sauce was not overpowering. Everything blended very well and, like my friend’s steak, remained warm throughout.

For dessert, we had five choices. At Edin’s urging, my friend and I agreed on Beignets. Turns out, Edin did not steer us in the wrong direction. We were served six small beignet triangles, slipped neatly into a folded napkin and topped with a nice amount of powdered sugar. Also on the plate were servings of three sauces: Raspberry, Rebecca (a rum sauce), and Chocolate. The Beignets could have been warmer, and while they didn’t rival those at Café du Monde in New Orleans, they were good enough – especially with a drizzle (or two) of sauce.

The cost for our meal before tax and tip was $149. Not chump change, but that’s an expected amount when you go to a fine-dining restaurant.

What began as a One Fork experience ended with Three Forks. I would return, but not go out of my way. We enjoyed our meal, but getting to the restaurant – a first impression for us — was a cluster. That wasn’t the fault of anyone at The Vintage. But Bally’s, you must do better. If so, you just might make for a vintage dining experience.

Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit? Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.

1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so

It was a starry Saturday night in New Orleans on July 27 where two Bossier Parish educators were in the limelight at the 18th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala.

Sun City Elementary educator Alex Devine was honored as one of nine New Teacher of the Year state finalists from across Louisiana. Last school year marked Devine’s first year in education. He teaches first grade at Sun City. A graduate of Jackson State University, Devine received the President’s Award for his high academic achievement and was also honored with the Dean’s Award for his commitment to excellence and dedication for helping students reach their full potential.

Chris Kourvelas, an 18-year educator at Elm Grove Middle School, was recognized as a state finalist for Louisiana Teacher of the Year, then went on to be named the overall 2025 Louisiana Middle School Teacher of the Year. Kourvelas has taught almost every grade level and subject over the span of his career in education. He currently serves as a social studies teacher, boys basketball coach and athletic director at Elm Grove Middle.

Kourvelas is a 2022 recipient of the President’s Award of Excellence for Outstanding Civics Teacher, an honor bestowed on him by the Louisiana Center of Law/Civic Education and the Louisiana State Bar Association.

Bossier Schools is proud of these two phenomenal educators and male role models who are making a positive impact everyday in classrooms. Congratulations to them both.

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

In recent years, those of you flying out of Shreveport Regional Airport knew better than to show up hungry.

And if you were flying into Shreveport Regional, you knew you better eat those pretzels on the plane.

The airport pickings were slim when it came to getting something to eat.

But that ended yesterday (Sunday, July 28th).

Tacomania Cantina & Grill, a popular local Mexican restaurant until its owners retired in 2022, and the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, with more than 1,100 stores in 23 countries, are now open in the airport’s TSA checkpoint atrium.

“Previous food offerings at the airport were kind of generic,” Mark Crawford, Airport Business and Development Manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. “It was the basic burger. The basic salad. A basic pizza. Basic sandwiches. Having brands that local people, and people visiting the area, are familiar with is certainly going to be an upgrade.”

It has been a two-year effort to bring these eateries to the airport. Crawford, who was a frequent Tacomania customer at its Kings Highway location, approached the owners about their interest in licensing the restaurant’s name and recipes to Tailwinds, the airport’s concessionaire.

“Maria, who was the chef at Tacomania, has been in the kitchen the last week teaching all of the Tailwinds staff the exact way to make all of the food. I had lunch there today, and can attest the sour cream enchiladas, and rice and beans, are exactly the same as they were in the restaurant. It was delicious.”

Airport management thought it was important to have a local brand. Also, in surveys, Mexican food was the number one requested food type.

“The trend in airports all across the country is veering away from the Taco Bells, the Burger Kings, and the McDonalds, and going with local flair,” Crawford said. “That resonates with people who are from an area.”

Tacomania, which serves breakfast items in addition to several lunch and dinner items from its old menu, is open from 6am until the last scheduled departure, seven days a week.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf originated in southern California more than 60 years ago. It serves a variety of coffee, espresso, ice blended drinks, teas, breakfast muffins, salads, and sandwiches.

“We wanted a brand that you couldn’t get anywhere else in Shreveport-Bossier,” Crawford said. “Thirty percent of the people flying in are not from Shreveport-Bossier. They may not be familiar with Tacomania. But The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is a brand that is in many, many places, and may be a brand people are familiar with. So, they are more likely to purchase from that store, rather than from a generic coffee place like we had before.”

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is open from 30 minutes prior to the airport’s first scheduled departure, until the last scheduled departure, seven days a week.

This isn’t the end of new airport food choices. Crawford said more places are coming, hopefully by the end of the year.

“There will be a new restaurant by the Delta gate. There will be a new concept by the American gate. There will be a retail store that will open in the TSA checkpoint area. Pre-security, (on the first level near the escalators and the baggage claim area), there will be a Southern Maid Donuts kiosk that will serve The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf drinks, as well as a variety of Southern Maid Donuts menu options.

Since Tacomania, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, are inside the TSA security checkpoint, you can only visit them if you are a ticketed passenger. However, that may soon change.

“We’re working with TSA to opt into a program they offer which allows the airport to issue gate passes to people who are not flying,” Crawford said. “People will be able to request a visitor pass from the airport that they can pick up at the airport, then go through the TSA checkpoint like they would if they were a passenger. That way, you can come eat at the new restaurants.”

And that would not be the only advantage to the pass.

“You can wait at the gate for someone who is flying in – greet them at the gate like you used to be able to do. Also, where you usually send family members off at the checkpoint, this will allow you to come through the checkpoint and stay at the gate until your family or loved ones actually get on the plane.”

Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com.

A 56-year-old man was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on July 25 for first-degree Rape, Molestation of a juvenile, and Sexual Battery.

The City of Shreveport and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) are thrilled to announce that the artwork for the three water towers has been chosen. The selected designs will be revealed at a special event on Tuesday, July 30 at 3 pm at Artspace located at 708 Texas St. in Shreveport.

The event at Artspace will feature the artists behind the selected designs, who will share insights into their creative process and the inspiration behind their artwork. This is an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the integration of art and infrastructure in Shreveport. Mayor Arceneaux encourages residents and members of the media to join the city for this exciting announcement.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Shreveport-Bossier’s most accomplished Olympian didn’t watch Friday night’s Opening Ceremonies of the Paris Games.

But not by choice.  “I was stuck in an airport all evening trying to get to Miami,” said Hollis Conway, who won a silver medal in the high jump in the 1988 Seoul Games and took bronze in Barcelona in 1992.

Heading to a family event, Conway did mark the occasion with a series of entertaining social media posts recorded earlier in his Lafayette home. He donned some of his Team USA gear, and playfully flashed the medals, which he uses in public speaking appearances all around the country.

The Fair Park High School graduate was the top-ranked American high jumper for seven straight years (1988-94) and was No. 1 in the world in 1990-91. He joins Dwight Stones (1972, 1976) and John Thomas (1960, 1964) as the only Americans to win two Olympic high jump medals. Conway and Thomas are the  only silver medalists among that royal trio – Stones has two bronze medals.

While he didn’t see the extravagant ceremonies from France, Conway couldn’t avoid the controversy over what many saw as a parody of the iconic “Last Supper” artwork by Leonardo Da Vinci. Conway’s Christian beliefs and athletic achievements have led him to extensive involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for all of his adult life.

“I followed a lot of the comments that came out of that. I really hated that because it shouldn’t be about controversy, it should be about unity,” he said. “I didn’t see it, so I can’t speak intelligently on it, but I hated the confusion that came out of it.”

There is no confusion about how he regards his Olympic experiences, particularly the 1988 Games.

“The first time, I really didn’t have an understanding of what the Olympics meant, how hard it was to get there. It happened early in my competitive career. For me, my first Olympics in Seoul, I was like a little kid in a candy store. The pageantry, I did everything,” said Conway, 57. “Throw out the mature, conservative approach of ‘I’ve got to be rested and ready for my competition.’ I did everything. I went everywhere, experienced every part of it, and it was soooo much fun.

“Being there with people from different countries, different uniforms, trading (national) pins, going to the different venues, exploring Seoul, things I’d never seen before. I took in the entire experience like a little kid – and I ended up getting second, so that was like a bonus for me. The whole experience, I had no idea what to expect, and I just enjoyed myself.”

Coming in as the gold medal favorite, and arriving in Barcelona a day after the first of his first child, 1992 was completely different. 

“I found I didn’t enjoy it as much. It was more business-like. I finished third, which really frustrated me. The ’88 Games were a much better experience for me. The further I get away from it, I understand how blessed I was to go to two Olympic Games, to win two Olympic medals, to represent our country.”

He reflected on what the USA team and the thousands of other Olympians were feeling Friday night, despite being soaked in a rainstorm while boating down the River Seine in Paris.

“The great thing about the ceremonies is you have thousands of stories, from all around the world, what they had to overcome, their families’ sacrifice, what they’re representing, it’s incredible. That’s the great thing about the Olympics,” Conway said. “When I walked through that stadium (in the opening ceremony) and I had that red, white and blue on, people were chanting U-S-A and calling my name. It didn’t matter what color I was, didn’t matter what political party I favored, what was my religious affiliation – none of those things. I represented the United States. There’s not many times you get to experience that.”

The days that followed, particularly in the ’88 Games, were thrilling, he said.

“To meet people from other sports and disciplines, representing our country and others around the world, was fascinating. I learned about Olympic ping pong – which was incredible —  taekwondo, synchronized swimming. People who would not ordinarily come together, and you recognize their skill, talent and ability. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, just smiling, and you see that. It’s there for the world to celebrate and it’s an amazing experience.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Airline quarterback Ben Taylor followed a sparkling record-breaking sophomore season with an even bigger junior season in 2023, rewriting the previous records and more.

As remarkable as he was, other local quarterbacks also posted sensational numbers, and some are back for more in 2024 – notably Calvary’s Abram Wardell.

Taylor became the first Viking to pass for more than 400 yards (412 vs. Benton) in a game his sophomore season but surpassed that mark two games into the 2023 season. He passed for 422 yards in the in a 48-44 win over Union Parish. He later broke that mark with 471 yards in a 60-35 winer over Benton.

The signal caller, who last week committed to play collegiately at Northwestern State, led the area in 2023 with 10 games of 300 or more yards. In two years he has recorded 14 of the 17 games an Airline quarterback has passed for more than 300 yards.

Steve Haynes held the Airline single-game record with 393 yards against Captain Shreve in 1972. The big game sparked the Vikings to the 1-AAAA district championship with a 34-20 win over the Gators. They later played for the state championship at Monroe Neville, only to lose 6-0.

Hayden Hildebrand had a pair of 300-yard games in 2012 for the only other 300-yard games in Airline history.

Calvary’s Wardell had the fourth most passing yards in a game in 2023 with 369 yards in a season-opening 47-12 win over Logansport. He ran a very balanced Cavaliers attack that produced an unbeaten state championship season.

Evangel’s Peyton Fulghum had a pair of 300-yard games, while Huntington’s Lorenzo White, and Benton’s Jeff King were the others throw for more than 300.

White is back for his senior season this fall. Evangel and Benton will be breaking in new starters.

2023 top single-game passing yardage

471 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Benton, 18-24-0, 7 TDs, Sept. 21

422 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Union Parish, 27-37-2, 6 TDs, Sept. 8

387 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Mandeville, 35-49-0, 3 TDs, Nov. 24

369 – Abram Wardell, Calvary, vs. Logansport, 22-27-1 3 TDs, Sept. 1

366 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Byrd, 30-39-1, 4 TDs, Oct. 20

364 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Haughton, 23-26-0, 5 TDs, Oct. 12

359 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Captain Shreve, 31-43-2, 2 TDs, Oct. 6

350 – Peyton Fulghum, Evangel, vs. Bossier, 13-17-0, 5 TDs, Sept. 22

340 – Peyton Fulghum, Evangel, vs. Neville, 24-34-1, 4 TDs, Aug.31

337 – Lorenzo White, Huntington, vs. Byrd, 10-22-1, 4 TDs, Sept. 7

321 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Parkway, 34-51-1, 3 TDs, Oct. 27

320 – Ben Taylor, Airline vs. Southwood, 25-31-1, 4 TDs, Nov. 2

315 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. North DeSoto, 32-46-0, 4 TDs, Sept. 1

311 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Natch. Central, 21-36-1, 4 TDs, Sept. 29

310 – Abram Wardell, Calvary, vs Captain Shreve, 19-26-0, 4 TDs, Sept. 7

305 – Jeff King, Benton, vs. Byrd, 24-33-2, 3 TDs, Sept. 28

298 – Christian Turner, Haughton, vs. Byrd, 17-36-1, 2 TDs, Oct. 6

295 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Southside, 23-26-1, 2 TDs, Nov. 17

283 – Lorenzo White, Huntington, vs. Mansfield,16-28-2, 4 TDs, Sept. 1

275 – Kaleb Williams, Parkway, vs. Captain Shreve, 23-36-1, 1 TD, Sept. 29

260 – Brodie Savage, Captain Shreve, vs. Byrd, 15-25-0, 2 TDs, Sept. 21

258 – Ben Taylor, Airline, vs. Northwood, 20-24-0, 5 TDs, Sept. 15

JOURNAL SPORTS

While high school football teams around Louisiana have been active this summer with strength and conditioning workouts along with 7-on-7 competitions, some teams are kicking off fall camp today.

LHSAA rules allow teams that did not conduct spring practice to begin earlier than those that did. Nearly all local schools went through spring ball, but at least the Huntington Raiders opened their preseason camp at 6 a.m. this morning in shorts and practice jerseys.

The Raiders will line up in District 1-5A this season, moving up from Class 4A. Another 1-5A program, Natchitoches Central, begins its first preseason under former Northwestern State head coach Brad Laird, also a former head coach at Ruston High School. The Chiefs did not conduct spring practice as Laird built his NCHS staff.

Most local schools will kick off workouts next Monday, Aug. 5. A handful will get going on their first day of school Thursday, Aug. 8.

The regular season starts Thursday, Sept. 5 with two games, Benton at Northwood and Loyola going to Monroe to face St. Frederick. The rest of the local teams kick off a night later on Sept. 6.

Jamboree action is on the final Thursday, Friday and Saturday in August.

NATCHITOCHES — Legendary Northwestern State coach and administrator and longtime Natchitoches resident Tynes Hildebrand, a 2014 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee, passed away Sunday afternoon in the Dallas area at the age of 93 following a brief illness.

Services for Hildebrand, a Florien native who became a decades-long cornerstone of the NSU athletic department and the Natchitoches community, are pending. The funeral will be in Natchitoches, according to family members.

A member of Northwestern’s track and field and basketball teams as an undergraduate, Hildebrand became a highly successful coach at Natchitoches High School before moving to the college ranks at his alma mater.

Hildebrand’s 16-season run from 1965-80 as the Demons; head coach resulted in 191 wins, four NAIA national tournament appearances, two straight Gulf South Conference championships, two conference coach of the year honors and NSU’s transition into its NCAA Division I era.

During that time, Hildebrand was invited by legendary Oklahoma State coach Henry Iba to help choose the members of the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team.

Although Hildebrand’s victory total remains third in Demon men’s basketball history, it was the 13 years Hildebrand spent as director of athletics that added an equal impact to the face of NSU athletics.

In addition to serving on the then-Division I-AA football selection panel and additional NCAA committees, Hildebrand served as a mentor for current Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey and former NSU athletic director Greg Burke along with dozens of other future ADs and administrators. As the leader of NSU’s athletic department, Hildebrand was instrumental in guiding Northwestern State into the Southland Conference in 1987.

Hildebrand’s decades of service led him to induction in the N-Club Hall of Fame in 1985, the Southland Conference Hall of Honor in 1999, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as the 2014 Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award recipient and the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He was named the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Mr. Louisiana Basketball in 1981.

A 2022 inductee into Northwestern’s Long Purple Line – the highest honor for NSU alumni – Hildebrand was presented the LABC’s 2024 Don Landry Award, becoming only the fourth recipient of an honor that recognizes deeply distinguished service and significant contributions to the LABC and the sport of basketball in Louisiana.

Following his time as AD at Northwestern, Hildebrand remained tied to basketball as a respected NCAA Division I officials evaluator for 17 years, beginning in 1997. In 2006, he was chosen as one of the NCAA’s inaugural four regional officiating supervisors and helped select NCAA Tournament officials through his retirement in 2014.

Hildebrand was active in the Natchitoches community, notably as a member of the local Kiwanis Club and in his church.

He is survived by his wife, Julia, and sons Tynes Jr. and Bruce, their families, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington recently administered the Oath of Affirmation in a swearing-in ceremony for a new deputy and welcomed a new corrections officer who are joining the Bossier Sheriff’s Office team. 

The swearing-in ceremony for new Deputy Hector Espino was held in the Sheriff’s Conference Room in the Bossier Parish Courthouse on July 25. Sheriff Whittington told the new deputy, “I commend you for committing yourself to the Bossier Sheriff’s Office and wish you luck in your new position.” 

Sheriff Whittington also welcomed new corrections officer Bobby Trichel to the team. 

Espino and Trichel will begin their new careers at one of the BSO correctional facilities. 

If you are seeking a career that offers excitement in the workplace and allows you to make a difference in your community, then the Bossier Sheriff’s Office is the place for you. To apply to be a deputy, applicants must be 21 years of age. However, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office does offer a corrections officer position that requires the applicant to be 18 years of age. 

To start the process of becoming a member of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, call the Human Resources Department to schedule a test today. You can reach them by calling (318)965-3459 or you can also go download the Bossier Sheriff’s app and go to the Join Our Team tab to contact our Human Resources Department.