Coach Sid Honored as Louisiana Sports Legend

by Woody Jenkins

BATON ROUGE— Central High

head football coach Sid Edwards was honored Thursday night as one of 35 Louisiana Sports Legends at a banquet at the Lod Cook Center at LSU.

The event was sponsored by BIC magazine, which has published Louisiana Sports Legends and Heroes. Edwards was the only high school coach selected and served as a representative of all past and present prep coaches.

One of the best known celebrities honored at the event was Heisman Trophy winner and All-American Billy Cannon who led the 1958 LSU Tigers to a national championship.  Others in attendance were:

• LSU head baseball coach Skip Bertman

• LSU basketball coach Dale Brown

• Olympic coach Gayle Hatch

• LSU All-American Eddie Kennison

• LSU football players Gus, Brian, and Todd Kinchen

• Southern baseball coach Roger Cador

• Louisiana College basketball coach Billy Allgood

• Jockey Kent Desormeaux

• LSU basketball player Rudy Macklin

• LSU football player Ruffin Rodrique

• Golfer Kelly Gibson

• U-High and Nicholls State baseball player Darryl Hamilton

• Parkview football player Calob Leindecker

• The Bengal Belles for their contribution to LSU athletics

Voice of the Tigers Dan Borne served as Master of Ceremonies, and BIC publisher Earl Heard, who put the event together, presented the awards.

It was a unique gathering of some of the greatest athletes in Louisiana history.  Even many in the audience were renowned, such as former LSU All-American Clyde Lindsey.

Olympic weight-lifting coach Gayle Hatch talked about his Indian heritage, and someone joked that Hatch, who still strikes an imposing figure, may be the world’s tallest Native American.

Three of the “legends” spoke — Skip Bertman, Eddie Kennison, and Darryl Hamilton.  All three told humorous stories, and some teased other inductees or members of the audience.

Skip Bertman, who has been inducted into many Halls of Fame, recognized his wife as an inductee into an exclusive “hall of fame” — the American Express Hall of Fame, and he said she has set all-time records.

Kennison took on Cannon.  Billy Cannon was the SEC champion in both the 100-yard dash and the shot put.  In the 100, he ran a 9.4, just shy of the world record, which was then 9.3.  But Kennison too was a great track man, having been a six-time All-American in track.

During this speech, Kennison said he wanted to challenge Cannon to a 100-yard-dash.  Cannon, who is now 75, said nothing.

After adjournment, all the celebrities stayed around to sign autographs.  The biggest crowds gathered around Cannon, perhaps the greatest football player in Louisiana history.

When Kennison approached the great Cannon for his autograph, Cannon wrote a special message to the youngster in the Legends book.  See box on opposite page.

Cannon still looks fearsome.  Although he may not be able to run a 100 under 10 flat, you may not want to challenge him in the boxing ring.

Many other Legends were not able to come, such as Drew Bres, Glen Davis, Les Miles, Paul Dietzel, and Shaquille O’Neal.  The late Pete Maravich was also honored.