| Current Poll |
Who do you think should manage Ferriday water?
View Results
|
|
Story Archives: Ferriday coaching legend dies Tuesday
- 2013 - 340 articles
- 2012 - 856 articles
- 2011 - 635 articles
- 2010 - 1276 articles
- 2009 - 1591 articles
- 2008 - 1763 articles
|
Ferriday coaching legend dies Tuesday
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member Johnny "Red" Robertson, who led Ferriday High to four state championships and a 54-game streak without a loss, died Tuesday at Camelot Leisure Living.
He was 88.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete with Young's Funeral Home at press time today.
Robertson led Ferriday High to a Class B state championship in 1953 and three straight Class A state titles from 1954-57.
The 54 straight games without a loss is still a state record.
"I look back and remember how much I enjoyed what I was doing and sometimes wonder how we could get that many talented boys together that many years in a row," Robertson said when talking about the streak seven years ago. "You may have success once out of every four years, I was fortunate to be part of good teams for four years. That was really special. The wins were a tribute to those boys. I was glad to be a part of something like that. There is always a chance it will be broken, but that's what records are made for."
"It's a sad day in my life," said former high school All-American Max Fugler from his office in Spring, Texas. "For me to say everything about what he meant to me would take too long. He was a great mentor to all of us. You just can't say enough about Johnny 'Red' Robertson. Not only was he my mentor, he was my friend during the time he coached me and afterwards. We lost a great human being."
Concordia Parish Clerk of Court Clyde Ray Webber played for Robertson.
"Coach Robertson touched so many lives," Webber said. "Other than my dad and Coach (Buddy) Lancaster, he had more influence on my life than anybody. He was a super guy. And when football season started, you didn't have to worry about us being on the streets, we were on the football field."
Vidalia High head football coach Dee Faircloth got to know Robertson when Robertson worked for the Concordia Parish School Board.
"Coach Robertson was one of the greatest coaches in the history of Louisiana High School football," Faircloth said. " And an even greater person. I always enjoyed talking to him when he visited the school or ate in the cafeteria. Coach developed a lot of youngsters into great players and great young men. He definitely left his mark on this earth."
Robertson was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 in a class that included LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman, former Tulane standout Steve Foley and former jockey Eddie Delahoussaye.For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition! |
|
| Frank Morris Murder Series |
|
|
E-mail Story
Print Story
