Irby Bergeron Sr.
December 27, 2018
TIME TO BRAG
December 27, 2018
When one thinks of South Lafourche High School athletics, a lot of well-known names come to mind.
That school was the home to standouts like former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, current LSU coach Ed Orgeron Canadian football league legend Ronnie Estay and countless others who have come along the way.
But for all the championships the Tarpons have won (and if one looks at their trophy case just part the front entrance of the school, it’s obvious that they’ve won many), perhaps no one has witnessed more of the team’s history than lifetime manager Billy Rebstock — an unsung hero who is perhaps the most dedicated Tarpons that there is in the storied history of the school
Rebstock was an athletic manager at the school who later became a janitor for the school for decades. He’s seen literally thousands of games and has had a hand in touching the lives of tens of thousands of student-athletes who later grew up to be men and women in the South Lafourche community.
“Billy Rebstock is the man” Hebert said during a celebration far Orgeron in Larose when Orgeron got the LSU football job. “Who deserves recognition more than that guy? No one Everyone knows him. Everyone loves him He’s seen everything. He’s impacted everybody. He’s a legend Billy Rebstock is a legend”
That he is.
Billy is a special needs per-son. but lie’s never let that slow him down.
His work as a manager started decades ago when he was a student — a time when legendary coach Ralph Pare was coaching the Tarpon football team.
And technically, ifs never really ever ended. Billy still goes to games today and though he’s slowed down some with age. he’s still often seen on the sidelines cheering on the Tarpons at football and basketball games throughout the year.
As a full-time employee of the school, Billy was diligent, often doing his work quietly, though he was known to min-gle with students from time-to-time (including with the author of this piece when he a student at the school).
Be retired from his custodial job in 2010-11, but he’s been anything but a stranger.
He attends games with family members — often sitting in the first row or two of the bleachers to get a dose look at the action.
For football games, he’lleven Lend a hand to the current student-managers when he can, working on occasion to dry footballs throughout the game — like he’s done for almost MB whole life now and for practically every, single head coach that the school has ever had.
“I like to help,” Billy said, a man of few words.
But his impacts to the Tarpons’ athletic programs never go unnoticed* though they may not be well-known to those outside of the area.
Countiess coaches have applauded Billy’s efforts over the years and have said that he’s welcome around the teams for as long as he’s able to come to games
For Billy, that’s good news because one of his biggest passions is sports. When not watching the Tarpons, he’s a big LSU. Saints and Nicholls fan. as well.
“It’s some fun,” Billy said when asked what he likes the most about the games. #
