Yvette Michelle Crabtree Davis
April 7, 2008
Cecile D. St. Amant
April 9, 2008
We all remember our junior high and high school physical education teachers. They appeared larger than life.
They handed down swift punishments for “screwing up” – dreaded squat jumps and laps. These P.E. coaches were loved and respected by nearly every student and even more so by those they coached in sports.
In the world of Houma Junior High School sports, there has been one constant for nearly 40 years. One name has echoed through the halls, gym, and locker room more than any other: Vitter.
Arthur Charles “A.C.” Vitter taught and coached at HJH for 31 years, from 1967 to 1998. His son Stuart Vitter took up the mantle as 9th grade boys’ basketball and 8th grade boys’ football coach in 2000.
“I always liked being around sports,” said Stuart. “I liked listening to my dad and the other coaches talk about the games. Coaching just seemed to be a natural thing to go into.”
A.C. did not encourage his son to go into education but did not deter his career choice. “He grew up watching me work and knew what it took and everything you have to put up with in education. But hey, it’s what he wanted to do and his mother and I supported him,” the elder Vitter said.
The two coaches have seen a lot of changes in junior high sports over the years. The introduction of girls’ athletics in the late 1960s was one such change.
“There were a lot of female coaches applying for those positions,” A.C. remembers, “but most didn’t realize the time you have to put into coaching.”
A lot of those first female coaches’ careers ended after those first few years, added Vitter. A combination of long hours and low pay hastened their departure.
Another change in junior athletics has been the introduction of year-round basketball and baseball leagues in the area. “It used to be if you didn’t play for your school, then you didn’t play sports, “said Stuart. “But now if they don’t want to play for you, they can just go play in a parish league and increase their skills.”
The introduction of outside venues has been both a blessing and a curse for junior high coaches across the state. “It has really helped girls’ basketball,” added Stuart, “I remember when I played in the early 1990s, we’d watch the girls play ball and it was awful.”
The games were low scoring and the female basketball players lacked the strong fundamentals to make the games entertaining or executed smoothly.
“But now, they have the outside leagues that really help them learn the game,” continued the younger Vitter. “Girls’ basketball has become very competitive at the 8th and 9th grade level.”
A downside to the year-round league is that both male and female athletes don’t have to participate in school sports. Plus, losing a star player to injury in the outside leagues is a concern.
HJH has not only provided the two Vitters with employment but also with their significant others.
A.C.’s wife, Marcia, was a teacher at the school when they met. Stuart’s wife, Christine, is also a teacher.
When they met, Christine was the 8th grade girls’ basketball coach at Evergreen Junior High, the cross-town rival of the HJH Bulldogs.
“She asked me out on a date after her girls beat mine for the 100th time,” remembers Stuart with a smirk. “I think she felt sorry for me and I figured the best way to end her win streak was to get married.”
His strategy worked. Christine now teaches with her husband at HJH.
Despite these similarities, father and son see nothing eerie about the parallels in their lives.
“I think it’s great that Stuart is at Houma Junior High, coaching and teaching,” said A.C. “I am very proud of him.”
Stuart agrees that following in his dad’s footsteps has been a great experience. “The kids come up to me and tell me stories that their dads told them about my dad. It gives us a connection and familiarity that helps when you’re a teacher.”
Stuart also sees another advantage to following his father at HJH. “I’m quickly becoming famous thanks to my dad. I hope in 20 years I’m as big a legend as he has become.”
Arthur Charles “A.C” Vitter and is son Stuart share a number of things in common, including coaching gigs at Houma Junior High School. * Photo by BRAD THIBODAUX
