Eight inducted into La. Hall of Fame
NATCHITOCHES — Their accomplishments are unique and impressive enough to stand alone.
But ex-NFL running back Warrick Dunn, former Southern University football coach Pete Richardson and two ex-LSU stars — baseball standout Eddy Furniss and football running back Terry Robiskie — shared the spotlight at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The quartet was part of an eight-member induction class honored Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center. Saints running back Deuce McAllister, Grambling and New Orleans Jazz basketball standout Aaron James, legendary jockey Mark Guidry, of Duson, and Louisiana Tech and NFL wide receiver Roger Carr were the other former athletes inducted.
Also honored were Marksville’s Dr. L.J. Mayeux, winner of the Dave Dixon Leadership in Sports Award, and two winners of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism: Baton Rouge’s Butch Muir and New Orleans’ Bill Bumgarner.
Dunn, a former Catholic High football and track standout, went on to stardom on the college and pro levels. Former FSU coach Bobby Bowden served as Dunn’s presenter Saturday.
Dunn is Florida State’s all-time leading rusher with 3,959 yards. He ran for 10,967 yards 12 NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.
“I think about all the guys who have gone in,” Dunn said. “There’s a million athletes who have played high school, college and pro sports. To be inducted as one of the best from the state of Louisiana, it makes me speechless. It says (a lot) to have people in your home state say you’re one of the best to ever play.”
Richardson served as Southern’s football coach from 1993-2009, compiling a 134-62 record. His Jaguars won five Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and posted four seasons with 11 or more wins, claiming four black college national championships along the way.
“It means a great deal to me,” Richardson said of the Hall of Fame induction. “When I was hired for the job, there were people telling me not to unpack and giving me six months because coaches didn’t stay too long.
“I think Dr. (Delores) Spikes had a great deal of confidence in me,” Richarson added, referring to the SU president who backed his hiring. “She allowed me to bring my own staff in. This is also a credit to those coaches and, of course, the players.”
Furniss, a 2010 inductee into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, played at LSU from 1995-98, setting a litany of NCAA offensive records. He led LSU to national championships in 1996 and 1997. He also won the Dick Howser award, given to the nation’s top player in 1998, after hitting .403 with 28 home runs, 85 runs scored and 76 RBIs.
“I didn’t ever imagine being in any Hall of Fame,” Furniss said. “Being inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame is a major honor. I credit my honors and records to the teams I played for.
“I had great hitters in front of me and behind me. It’s when you can help a team be great that you’re in a special position.”
Robiskie starred at LSU from 1973-76 after being a prep star at Second Ward High, where he earned Parade and Scholastic All-America honors. He was LSU’s all-time leading rusher when he graduated with 2,517 yards. Robiskie played five years in the NFL and has been an NFL assistant since 1982. He currently coaches receivers for the Atlanta Falcons.
“Just walking in the building tonight was real exciting,” Robiskie said. “I’ve gotten to see people I haven’t seen in like 100 years.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to put my foot in my sand. I get to come home and be in my Hall of Fame, and it’s a great feeling.”
Guidry has won more than 5,000 races during his career. McAllister, an Ole Miss star in college, is the New Orleans Saints’ all-time leading rusher with 6,096 yards.
Carr was an All-American receiver at Louisiana Tech and earned All-Pro status with the Baltimore Colts. James starred in basketball at Grambling and with the New Orleans Jazz.
As a college senior, James, a New Orleans native, led the nation in scoring with a 32.1-point average.