SLMA Continues to Expand
October 17, 2018
Juveniles arrested for weapon possession outside Terrebonne stadium
October 17, 2018
There is a good chance you have seen Houma native George Bergeron while attending a Little League ball game in Terrebonne Parish.
For the past 50 years, Bergeron has volunteered his time coaching kids ages 6 to 18 in softball and baseball. When not instructing his players at first or third base, he can be found behind the plate wearing blue.
“One of the first games I umpired was for my own granddaughter. I wrung her up,” Bergeron said. “She said, ‘PawPaw, the ball almost hit me.’ I told her, ‘Well, get off the plate. When you come on the field, you’re just another ballplayer.’ That’s how I approach the game — you have to call it honestly.”
Bergeron’s love of sports is rooted in something much deeper than a few innings of friendly competition. At 69, he wants to spend his time helping others, especially kids.
“I accepted the Lord over 30 years ago, and God really put on my heart to work with kids,” Bergeron said. “I have always encouraged kids to do better. I believe sports keeps these kids off the streets.”
Coaching opportunities present themselves before, during and after each game — the latter is where Bergeron is able to share the most wisdom with his young players.
“I always taught my kids that if we lost, it didn’t mean that we lost. You win if you learn something from it,” Bergeron said. “It’s important to work as a team. I would remind them that one day they would go to work and be in a group. They might not get along with everybody, but they would have to do their best to work together.”
Through the years, Bergeron has volunteered his time for jobs ranging from umpiring benefit games for cancer patients to maintaining the grounds and marking the fields at the Westside Softball Complex in Houma. On Sundays, he teaches children’s church at Vision Christian Center in Bourg.
“I’ve seen times where I had 50 kids in the class,” Bergeron said.
A Vietnam War veteran who learned in combat the power of giving, Bergeron had to play a much different role when the vehicle he was driving was hit head-on by a drunk driver along Highway 311 over six years ago. He became the recipient of prayers, love and support from many of the lives he had touched.
“We were coming back from a football game in New Iberia,” Bergeron remembered. “I had been filming footage for coaches at Terrebonne High. We got hit head-on in front of Ellendale, and we all ended up in hospitals. We survived by the grace of God.”
Bergeron suffered 11 broken ribs. Every bone in his right foot was broken. Both his back and neck sustained damage.
“When I was in that wreck, I got boxes full of cards that the kids made for me,” Bergeron said. “A softball team put on a carwash to try and help me out. So many others donated. I didn’t look for none of it, but it meant so much. It took about a year before I got back into umpiring again, but they couldn’t keep me away.”
These days, Bergeron is retired from his career as a shipfitter and boat captain but still makes time to umpire a few games. Each year, he gives a $500 scholarship to a softball and baseball player from Terrebonne High School to help with college expenses.
“It’s always been about the kids,” Bergeron said. “I believe that when you give, it’s going to come back. What you sow, you reap.”
