Matthew Bennett
February 24, 2017
Chopper crashes in Terrebonne
February 27, 2017
It doesn’t take much arm-twisting to get the fun-loving people of south Lafourche Parish together for a good, ol’ fashioned Cajun cook-out and party.
But when it’s to honor new LSU coach and Larose native Ed Orgeron? Then, they up their game even more and turn out in droves to show their support for one of their own.
Crowds braved the rain and packed the Larose Civic Center’s pavilion on Friday night for Coach O day – a community dinner centered around the LSU coach’s storied career, dating back to his days at South Lafourche High School.
Countless dignitaries spoke throughout the banquet, telling stories about Orgeron, his family or the 1977 South Lafourche State Championship he contributed to in his earlier days.
Before the procession began, eventgoers enjoyed a Cajun feast – a menu filled with community favorites.
During the event, government officials made Feb. 17, 2017 Coach O Day, and South Lafourche High School officially retired his No. 77 jersey.
When it was his turn at the mic, Orgeron got emotional, thanking the community for their support throughout his career. He said he couldn’t have been born in a better place, adding that all the successes he expects to enjoy at LSU belong to the community and the state of Louisiana.
“I love you,” Orgeron said to the crowd after getting a long standing ovation, which was following by chants of ‘LSU’ and ‘Geaux Tigers’. “The people here are made of toughness. We expect nothing but greatness of one another. We eat together, have fun together, love together, fight together and support one another. … I couldn’t have been
born in a better place. I love you all. You are all my friends.”
There was nothing but support for Orgeron from the loyalists in the giant crowd, which overflowed the Civic Center’s pavilion.
LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said since Orgeron took over in Baton Rouge, the vibe around the LSU program has been completely changed.
He said everything is now changed “for the better.”
“I always wondered where he got his energy from,” Alleva said to the crowd. “Now I can see it. It’s from you, the people here in this great community.”
Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards was one of the guest speakers at the banquet, and he said he knows Orgeron will do well at LSU, because he’s a tireless worker who loves the state.
Edwards, 89, delivered a passionate address calling the people of south Lafourche some of the best in the world.
He ended his statement saying that even at his old age, he is giddy for a day in the future – one he believes will come this fall.
“I can’t wait until the night LSU beats Alabama,” Edwards said to a huge roar from the crowd. On that night, Edwards said he will “drink a glass of champagne” to Coach Orgeron’s health.
“Coach, I couldn’t be prouder of you and your accomplishments,” Edwards added. “Now, it’s time to get in there and make it happen. I know you can do it. I know you will do it.”
Bobby Hebert, a longtime NFL quarterback and Orgeron’s high school and college teammate, also addressed the audience for more than an hour. In his speech, he shared countless stories about the 1977 Tarpons team, which won the State Championship.
Hebert went up and down the roster and said a few words about literally every, single player and coach on the team.
Of Orgeron, he told stories of a young man who’d work with his father and relatives at a young age, often doing manual labor that others twice his age couldn’t handle.
“He was a grown man when he was 15 years old,” Hebert said with a laugh.
South Lafourche graduate and former longtime pro player Ronnie Estay offered the same sentiment. He said Orgeron is a diligent worker who will never forget where he came from.
Lafourche Sheriff Craig Webre said the event was one of the most excitement-filled he’s ever attended in his 20-plus years as a public servant in Lafourche Parish.
“There is no doubt that tonight is going to be one small piece of a larger story that’s going to be written for many, many decades to come,” Webre said. “Coach, you have our full support.”
During the jersey retirement ceremony, South Lafourche principal Gaye Cheramie said Orgeron has been a staunch supporter of South Lafourche High School throughout his entire career as a coach.
Cheramie said Orgeron donated his entire royalties check from the movie, ‘The Blindside’ to the school’s football program – an amount that totaled $25,000.
With the money, South Lafourche redid its locker room, and today, the Tarpons have easily one of the top facilities in the Houma-Thibodaux area – if not in the entire state of Louisiana.
Cheramie said the retiring of Orgeron’s jersey is the icing on the cake for a memorable year at the school. This is South Lafourche High School’s 50th year in existence, and this year also marks the 40th anniversary of the title-winning team.
“We’re so happy, Coach O, to have you here, so that we could give you this honor that you so greatly deserve,” Cheramie said.
Orgeron ended his address by saying that the night empowered him to take the community energy back to Baton Rouge where he hopes to win championships with LSU.
He said the people of south Lafourche “never, never, never, never, never, never quit”, and he will take that same fight to Baton Rouge and the LSU program.
“I know after tonight, I better win some games,” Orgeron said with a laugh. “But I can tell you this – we gonna.”
LSU coach and Larose native Ed Orgeron gets his jersey retired by South Lafourche High School during Friday night’s ceremony. Orgeron promised success as LSU’s head coach during the night of community fun.
